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Report: Fitzgerald Examining Cheney's Role

By Jeralyn, Section Valerie Plame Leak Case
Posted on Wed Oct 12, 2005 at 08:08:29 PM EST
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Raw Story reports that Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is examining what role, if any, Vice President Dick Cheney had in the leaking Valerie Plame's identity or discrediting Joseph Wilson.

Does this mean Fitzgerald will ask for an extension of the grand jury? If he does, the grand jury would have another six months. He could also convene a new grand jury and transfer the case to it, in which case, the new term would be another 18 months. If he were to convene a new grand jury, that would be extremely fortunate for the White House and Republicans. Another 18 months to investigate could delay Indictments past the 2006 elections. [Edited to reflect difference between an extended grand jury and a new grand jury]

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    Report: Fitzgerald Examining Cheney's Role | 2 comments (2 topical)
    Re: Report: Fitzgerald Examining Cheney's Role (none / 0) (#1)
    by squeaky on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:56 PM EST
    Fitzgerald may be way ahead of us all and just tying up a few loose ends, as well as playing the media. Cheney may have been a target for some time, as well as other undisclosed notables. I think he is going to finish up in the next two weeks.

    Re: Report: Fitzgerald Examining Cheney's Role (none / 0) (#2)
    by Talkleft Visitor on Sat Dec 17, 2005 at 01:04:57 PM EST
    No, I don't think he can extend it again. As I read things, he already got his one six-month extension -- from May '05 to October 28, '05 -- and if that's true, under Rule 6, he cannot get another one; he would have to convene a new grand jury. (I would bet that he doesn't want to do so, but it would seem to be very tight now, with all kinda new info having appeared, including Libby's letter, which could be the basis for an obstruction count all on its own). See Fitzgerald's pleadings regarding Cooper's and Miller's efforts to avoid the big house (here's the response to Cooper). There, Fitzgerald recites that while the Cooper and Miller appeals were pending, "the grand jury's term (which was to expire in May 2005) was extended to late October 2005 when it will finally expire."

    Report: Fitzgerald Examining Cheney's Role | 2 comments (2 topical)