maxwell's demon
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http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/06/13/america/web.0613rove.php
By David Johnston The New York Times
Published: June 13, 2006
WASHINGTON The prosecutor in the C.I.A. leak case on Monday advised Karl Rove, the senior White House adviser, that he would not be charged with any wrongdoing, effectively ending the nearly three-year criminal investigation that had at times focused intensely on Rove.
The decision by the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, announced in a letter to Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, lifted a pall that had hung over Rove who testified on five occasions to a federal grand jury about his involvement in the disclosure of an intelligence officer's identity.
In a statement, Luskin said, "On June 12, 2006, Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald formally advised us that he does not anticipate seeking charges against Karl Rove."
Fitzgerald's spokesman, Randall Samborn, said he would not comment on Rove's status.
For months Fitzgerald's investigation appeared to threaten Rove's standing as Bush's closest political adviser as the prosecutor riveted his focus on whether Rove tried to intentionally conceal a conversation he had with a Time magazine reporter in the week before the name of intelligence officer, Valerie Plame Wilson, became public.
The decision not pursue any charges removes a potential political stumbling block for a White House that is heading into a long and difficult election season for Republicans in Congress.
Fitzgerald's decision should help the White House in what has been an unsuccessful effort to put the leak case behind it. Still ahead, however, is the trial of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., on charges for perjury and obstruction of justice, and the prospect that Mr. Cheney could be called to testify in that case.
In his statement Luskin said he would not address other legal questions surrounding Fitzgerald's decision. He added, "In deference to the pending case, we will not make any further public statements about the subject matter of the investigation. We believe that the Special Counsel's decision should put an end to the baseless speculation about Rove's conduct."
But it was evident that Fitzgerald's decision followed an exhaustive inquiry into Rove's activities that had brought the political strategist dangerously close to possible charges. In October, when Libby was indicted, people close to Rove had suggested that his involvement in the case would soon be over; speculation about Rove's legal situation flared again in April when he made his fifth appearance before the grand jury.
A series of meetings between Luskin and Fitzgerald and his team proved pivotal in dissuading the prosecutor from bringing charges. On one occasion Luskin himself became a witness in the case, giving sworn testimony that was beneficial to Rove.
At the case stands now, Fitzgerald has brought only one indictment against Libby. The prosecutor accused Libby of telling the grand jury that he learned of Wilson from reporters, when in reality, the prosecutor said he was told about her by Cheney and others in the government. Libby has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is scheduled to begin trial early next year.
...
* ** * * * ** * * * * * *
I'm.
I just don't know anymore.
I'd like to just trust Fitzgerald.
i just don't know.
By David Johnston The New York Times
Published: June 13, 2006
WASHINGTON The prosecutor in the C.I.A. leak case on Monday advised Karl Rove, the senior White House adviser, that he would not be charged with any wrongdoing, effectively ending the nearly three-year criminal investigation that had at times focused intensely on Rove.
The decision by the prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, announced in a letter to Rove's lawyer, Robert Luskin, lifted a pall that had hung over Rove who testified on five occasions to a federal grand jury about his involvement in the disclosure of an intelligence officer's identity.
In a statement, Luskin said, "On June 12, 2006, Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald formally advised us that he does not anticipate seeking charges against Karl Rove."
Fitzgerald's spokesman, Randall Samborn, said he would not comment on Rove's status.
For months Fitzgerald's investigation appeared to threaten Rove's standing as Bush's closest political adviser as the prosecutor riveted his focus on whether Rove tried to intentionally conceal a conversation he had with a Time magazine reporter in the week before the name of intelligence officer, Valerie Plame Wilson, became public.
The decision not pursue any charges removes a potential political stumbling block for a White House that is heading into a long and difficult election season for Republicans in Congress.
Fitzgerald's decision should help the White House in what has been an unsuccessful effort to put the leak case behind it. Still ahead, however, is the trial of Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, I. Lewis Libby Jr., on charges for perjury and obstruction of justice, and the prospect that Mr. Cheney could be called to testify in that case.
In his statement Luskin said he would not address other legal questions surrounding Fitzgerald's decision. He added, "In deference to the pending case, we will not make any further public statements about the subject matter of the investigation. We believe that the Special Counsel's decision should put an end to the baseless speculation about Rove's conduct."
But it was evident that Fitzgerald's decision followed an exhaustive inquiry into Rove's activities that had brought the political strategist dangerously close to possible charges. In October, when Libby was indicted, people close to Rove had suggested that his involvement in the case would soon be over; speculation about Rove's legal situation flared again in April when he made his fifth appearance before the grand jury.
A series of meetings between Luskin and Fitzgerald and his team proved pivotal in dissuading the prosecutor from bringing charges. On one occasion Luskin himself became a witness in the case, giving sworn testimony that was beneficial to Rove.
At the case stands now, Fitzgerald has brought only one indictment against Libby. The prosecutor accused Libby of telling the grand jury that he learned of Wilson from reporters, when in reality, the prosecutor said he was told about her by Cheney and others in the government. Libby has pleaded not guilty in the case, which is scheduled to begin trial early next year.
...
* ** * * * ** * * * * * *
I'm.
I just don't know anymore.
I'd like to just trust Fitzgerald.
i just don't know.
