Late Monday the Justice Department notified the White House via e-mail that it was moving from a "preliminary probe" to opening a full-blown investigation into the alleged leak by Administration officials of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, wife of former Ambasador Joseph Wilson.

The White House staff was notified of the investigation by e-mail after the Justice Department decided late Monday to move from a preliminary investigation into a full probe. It is rare that the department decides to conduct a full investigation of the alleged leak of classified information.

White House counsel Alberto R. Gonzales told the staff: "You must preserve all materials that might in any way be related to the department's investigation." Presumably that would include telephone logs, e-mails, notes and other documents.

Stay tuned....