None would name the staffers and/or officials whom Rove is providing information about. They did, however, explain that the White House computer system has "real time backup" servers and that while emails were deleted from computers, they were still retrievable from the backup system. By providing the dates and recipient information of the deleted emails, sources say, Rove was able to chart a path for Fitzgerald directly into the office of the Vice President.
Raw Story called Rove's lawyer Robert Luskin for a comment. He categorically denied it, but reiterated that Rove has been cooperating fully since day 1. Shorter version: Rove is an American hero, not a rat. Sorry, but I don't buy it.
Luskin and Rove obviously would prefer Rove to come off as Mr. Truth, Justice and the American Way -- a helpful White House official who told the truth and let the chips fall where they may -- rather than as a rat who sold out his confederates in order to avoid jail -- but no matter how they try to whitewash it, it's a rollover. And Rove can't keep it a secret forever.
I think Fitz has Rove dead to rights if, as reported, he failed to disclose his conversation with Cooper in his first interview with the FBI in October 2003 or in his first appearance before the grand jury in February 2004. Murray Waas reported in December, 2005:
Fitzgerald is said to be continuing his investigation into whether Rove made false statements, committed perjury, and obstructed justice. The investigation is focused on Rove's apparent failure to disclose his conversation with Cooper in his first interview with the FBI in October 2003 or in his first appearance before the grand jury in February 2004. In October 2004, Rove revised his testimony in a second appearance before the grand jury, saying he had indeed talked to Cooper and that he had not disclosed the talk earlier because of a faulty memory.
I think Rove has been singing his heart all along, hoping to avoid an Indictment entirely. Every time it looked impossible, he remembered a little more information to tell Fitzgerald. He'll keep telling until he gets what he wants from him.
As I wrote here,
I have never bought that Rove's October, 2005 grand jury testimony was just to clear up issues about welfare reform and other details of his conversation with Cooper. I thought at the time that Rove went back to the grand jury to provide last minute testimony against others, such as Libby and Cheney, and for all we know, Hadley.
If there was intentional deletion of e-mails in the Vice-President's office, someone is going to get charged as a result of it. As defendants, they will get reports of Rove's involvement. The Government will have to disclose whether any witnesses got leniency or avoided prosecution for their own misdeeds by providing information about others. At some point, the world will know.
My instincts tell me Rove will still have to plead to making a false statement to federal officials -- but he's now worked himself down to probation and no jail in exchange for his cooperation. Fitz may allow him to remain uncharged until at least Libby's trial is over, and then let him plead to an Information charging a single false statement count. As I said here,
If they reached a deal, an Indictment is not necessary. A defendant can waive the right to be charged by Indictment and plead to an Information which is filed by the prosecutor. It's an ordinary occurrence in my district.
If they reached a deal where his continued cooperation is necessary, he can work with the successive grand jury. Or the investigators. After the people he gave evidence against decide to plead or go to trial, that's when he will get an additional 5k benefit. If he works hard enough and brings results, Fitz could request a probation-eligible sentencing zone for him.
Bottom line: Whether Karl Rove gets charged or not, there's no way I can see that he didn't sing his heart out and incriminate others.
There's lot's more of this reasoning below:
Back to the question of the deleted e-mails. Who in Cheney's office will this reach, and how high? Does Fitz have corrorborating testimony from others who have flipped in the case? Is Cheney out of the woods? While I doubt Cheney physically deleted e-mails, I wouldn't be suprised if some of the emails deleted by people in his office contained details of conversations with Cheney about Plame or instructions he gave on how to respond to the investigation.
If Raw Story's report is accurate, obstruction of justice charges are not far away.
Bob Dylan once sang, "But even the president of the United States sometimes must have to stand naked." The same may hold true for the vice president and every one of their aides.
[Parody Graphic created exclusively for TalkLeft by CL.]
