Friday, October 28, 2005

Indictment

"It's not the crime, it's the cover-up."

Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Cheney's Chief of Staff, has been indicted on charges of misleading the grand jury or making false statements. He said he learned about Valerie Plame's CIA connection from the media, yet his notes showed that VP Cheney had told him about her. The eventual jury in a trial will have to prove that Libby intentionally lied to the grand jury. This is no more than a charge at this time, but the charge is a felony and carries fines and possible jail time. Libby will be required to step down as Cheney's chief of staff according to previous statements from the White House. Carl Rove is still under investigation, but Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald apparently does not have enough evidence against Carl Rove to indict him at this time.

Even if Libby and possibly Rove are found not guilty by a jury, it still leaves a cloud over the Bush White House.

Fitzgerald will be making his statements at 2 pm this afternoon.

UPDATE: (12:30 pm) The above was reported as "our sources have informed us." The actual word is expected any moment.

UPDATED UPDATE: (12:44 pm) Reuters and AP have reported that Libby has been indicted on 2 counts of making false statements, 2 counts of perjury AND 1 count of obstruction of justice. Fox News confirmed it. A total of five counts (up to 25 years in jail for all 5 counts).

INDICTMENT: Read it here

Note: 1:05 pm Libby has resigned.

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