Mr. Leopold did not act alone in his reporting of this matter. His work, sources and conclusions were reviewed carefully at each step of the process. There is no indication that Mr. Leopold acted unethically.
Please keep in mind that over the years we have reported on many examples of individuals being scapegoated in crisis situations by superiors seeking cover from controversy. Truthout, however, does not do scapegoats. And we stand firmly behind Jason Leopold.
I continue to believe that Jason's sources told him what he reported but that they were wrong. Was it a burn or just misinformation? I have no idea.
If the information provided to Jason and Ash came from previously reliable informants who passed it along in good faith, then, as I said in my updated post on outing sources, there is probably too much legal liability and journalistic fallout for outing them. There are several comments from Jason in that thread for those who want to hear what he has to say.
Where I disagree with Ash and with some in the liberal blogosphere who want to see the letter faxed by Fitz to Luskin, is that I don't think Luskin has to produce the letter he had received from Fitz. His obligation is to look out for Rove, not the rest of us who are seeking the facts. Fitzgerald is the public servant. If the letter should be disclosed, then he should be the one to do it. But, probably, the letter is none of our (the public's) business at this juncture because while it is germane to Libby's trial and part of discovery in that case, discovery generally is not in the public record.
If Luskin had stated something untrue in his press release, Fitzgerald would have corrected it. He has remained silent. That may be because the investigation truly is ongoing. Or because he's decided Rove will be a witness in the Scooter Libby case. If it's the latter, we may see the letter yet, attached as an exhibit to a filing by Libby attacking Rove's anticipated testimony.
Fitz's silence means Rove skated. Jason's article was wrong, although well-intended. I'd rather know who and why Jason's sources were lied to. Was it an organized burn? Was someone being set up with information to see if it would end up with Jason?