Fitzgerald Speaks
Posted on Fri Oct 28, 2005 at 11:06:13 AM EST
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Here is Fitzgerald's latest press release (pdf)explaining the Indictment.
Live blogging Fitzgerald's statement:
Valerie Plame's neighbors, friends and classmates had no idea she worked for the CIA. Her cover was blown with Novak's column.
Witnesses who come before grand jury must tell complete truth, especially when it pertains to national security.
Fall, 2003: Investigation began. FBI interviewed Libby, who is VP Cheney's Chief of Staff. Mr. Libby gave a story. Libby's story was that he spoke to Russert, and Russert told him that all the reporters know that Wilson's wife worked for the FBI. Libby then told Miller and Cooper. He told FBI he didn't know if she really worked for the CIA, it was just something he heard from reporters. He was just passing gossip.
It was a false story according to the Indictment. He spoke about it at least six times. He learned it from government officials on at least four occasions in June. From a senior CIA officer, from an under secretary of state, and from the VP on June 12. And from someone working in the VP's office.
He also discussed it three times with other government officials. He discussed it with a CIA briefer.
Libby discussed this information at least four times prior to July 14, on three occasions with Judith Miller, and once with Matthew Cooper. He discussed it with Ari Fleischer on July 7.
Mr. Libby's story that he was at the tail end of a chain of phone calls was false. He was at the beginning of the chain, lied under oath repeatedly. He was the first in the government to tell someone outside the government.
Q and A:
Investigation is not over. Substantial work is over. The grand jury is over. A new grand jury may consider other matters.
Won't answer questions about those not charged in Indictment.
Isikoff: Why wasn't Novak's leaker charged? Won't answer.
Won't stay what he is still working on.
He is not saying whether Plame was covert. He is not making that assertion. But her status with CIA was classified in 2003.
Fitzgerald does not have the authority to issue a report. TalkLeft was the first to report this information from our secret, eminently qualified correspondent here.
He didn't charge Libby with disclosure of classified information because of the intent element - that he knew and appreciated he was disseminating classified information. This was a weak answer on his part.
Reporters don't understand the grand jury process. Fitzgerald doesn't empanel a new grand jury to continue the investigation. He turns the case over to another grand jury already sitting in the District. There's always a grand jury sitting in D.C.
The investigation is not about whether the war was right or wrong.
He gives a long explanation of why the Espionage Act wasn't used with Libby - it requires more than improper disclosure of classified information.
Can't say whether the grand jury refused to indict on any counts.
Interesting: Libby charged with perjury in response to a grand juror's question.
He has asked witnesses not to compromise the investigation by talking, although legally they can.
It's over. Comments?
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