OFFICIAL PLAME NEWS….Libby indicted. Charges are obstruction of justice, perjury, and making false statements….
David Ensor on CNN: The indictment is for lying about how and when in 2003 Libby learned classified information about the employment of Valerie Wilson by the Central Intelligence Agency. Total of five counts in the indictment:
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False statements on October 14 and November 26, 2003
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Perjury on March 5, March 24, 2004.
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Obstruction of justice in Spring 2004.
Wolf Blitzer, reading from the indictment: In May 2003, Libby began acquiring information about Joe Wilson’s trip to Niger. Learned about Valerie Plame from Dick Cheney, who had learned about her from the CIA. Libby later lied about his conversations with Tim Russert, Matt Cooper, and Judith Miller. Endangered national security by discussing this with reporters.
Kevin: May 2003, eh? Nick Kristof’s column was printed on May 6, 2003, so apparently it was Kristof’s column that touched off the whole thing.
David Ensor, reading from the indictment: Libby told the FBI that Tim Russert and Matt Cooper had told him about Plame’s identity. He knew when he said this that it wasn’t true, and he concealed the fact that he had actually learned about Plame earlier from Dick Cheney. The perjury charges are apparently related to the same underlying facts.
Bob Franken, reading from the indictment: On or about July 10, 2003, Libby spoke to Official A, who advised Libby about a conversation with Robert Novak. Libby was informed that Novak would be writing about Plame.
Kevin: Hmmm. Shouldn’t that be Official K?
