Source: No announcement in CIA leak probe today (CNN)

[MissMillie]

http://www.cnn.com/

Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is not expected to make a public announcement today about the CIA leak investigation, a source with knowledge of the investigation tells CNN. Experts say it's possible the grand jury still may consider indictments and, if it votes to return one or more, the indictments could remain under seal and be made public later.

[Missy M]

1. With bush in the White House they will probably remain under seal...

NEVER to be made public.

[Shine]

2. Damn.

:(

[5X]

3. Breaking News!!!111 No news. n/t

[Lilith Velkor]

60. Thrice a day, every day.

:argh:

[Bonobo]

4. If we're sweating, think about how those bastards must feel... tee hee.

[rodeodance]

22. i'd send them some Pepto Bismo but would prob. get arrested as a

terrorist.

[drfresh]

5. I could really use something by Friday

Two and a half years for this crap... the suspense is killing me! :crazy:

[johnfunk]

6. Let the traitorous bastards sweat for 2 more days! Casual speculation:

1) The Grand Jury is still mulling evidence and putting the pieces together;

2) Traitors may still be trying to cut a deal with Fitzgerald (it has been reported at Josh Marshall's blog that Fitzgerald paid a visit to Rove's lawyer yesterday...);

3) The rumors are underestimating the number of indictments to be handed down;

4) While most of the indictments will be the result of the conspiracy to cover up the blowing of Plame's cover, some will be related to espionage, others related to conspiracy to use forged documents to push the US into war;

5) Fitzgerald extends the grand jury.

[alcibiades_mystery]

7. "use forged documents to push the US into war"

Can you point to the related statute?

[coalition_unwilling]

34. I'm not an attorney, but I think "Committing fraud against the U.S."

might be a relevant statute. Remember that the war so far has cost $300 billion and mounting.

[alcibiades_mystery]

38. I'll try to find that charge in the lawbooks

...

[coalition_unwilling]

58. Don't mean to keep beating a dead horse ... but

"Fraud against the United States" (and conspiracy to commit same) should exist in the statutes. Perhaps an attorney reading this post could comment? (I'm not an attorney)

[Delphinus]

19. Ooh, I hope number 3 is right,

that the number of indictments is low! The entire cabal should be taken down.

[tulsakatz]

27. I heard they offered Rove a deal........

....the article I read said they're going to charge Rove with perjury and obstruction of justice. It said they would drop the obstruction of justice charge if Rove would plead guilty to perjury.

Rove turned it down........

[yellowcanine]

8. I sure hope he doesn't make any deals with Rove unless it means Rove is

giving up Bush himself.

[Ernesto]

9. CIA leak probe has Wash. waiting (No announcements expected today)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The federal grand jury investigating the leak of a CIA operative's identity could hand up charges as early as today, but Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald is not expected to make any public announcements Wednesday, one source with knowledge of the probe told CNN. http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/10/26/cia.leak/index.html

[xultar]

10. ...

:rofl: Where have you been?

[FredStembottom]

11. Oi! Again with the waiting!

:argh:

[napi21]

12. Why is Scooter on crutches?

I never saw that before! Is he disbled, or did he get hurt recently?

[jaxx]

14. I think he fell off his pedestal.

[KansDem]

35. Nah, he fell over after his feet of clay crumbled...

:rofl:

[Chiyo-chichi]

17. Dick beat the shit out of him.

Or Dick's goons beat the shit outta him.

[Blaq Dem]

57. He "fell" while choking on a pretzel.

These "accidents" are more common than you think.

[MadJohnShaft]

13. Raw story just said he asked for Rove/Libby

http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Prosecutor_in_leak_case_seeks_indictments_1026.html

[tulsakatz]

33. now I have another question

this article says:

'Those familiar with the case said that Libby did not inform Rove that Plame was covert. As a result, Rove may not be charged with a crime in leaking Plame’s identity, even though he spoke with reporters.'


Rove may not have known Plame was covert but he did know she worked at the CIA. Don't govt employees have an obligation to find out if they are covert before passing that info along to someone else?

[deadparrot]

15. Thursday, then. *sigh*

At least I'll be free then.

Still, :banghead:

[brentspeak]

16. Well, this effectively torpedoes the credibility of

about 50 "scoop" websites, all of whom were claiming "special inside knowledge" that the announcement and indictments would occur today.

[Freedom_from_Chains]

18. We'll know things are looking bad if

Cheney is moved to a secure undisclosed location.

[rodeodance]

20. msnbc reported that Fitz left the courthouse about an hour ago.

[ps1074]

21. That's not what Richard Sale says

An hour ago I was contacted by a U.S. government official close to the Fitzgerald case. This person told me that there WILL be indictments announced later this afternoon, and the Special Prosecutor will hold a press conference tomorrow.

http://turcopolier.typepad.com/sic_semper_tyrannis/

Check out his blog. Some very good info there...

[rodeodance]

23. msnbc saying grand jury went home for the day. and no ones knows

what went down.

[rodeodance]

25. somewhere I read that the jury makes the decision and then it is filed

in another room of the courthouse which takes a few hours.

[Igel]

26. Whether the info is good or not is an empirical question.

The question will resolve itself soon enough, and the judgment proven false or correct.

Now, the claim you pasted *can't* be so easily falsified: It may indeed be the case that somebody told him indictments will be announced later this afternoon.

[Triana]

24. I don't think there'll be any indictments...

...I think Fitz will fold up shop, finalize his reports and go home. KKKarl and Scooter (a nickname which always reminds me of a dog scraping its butt on the carpet) will get off scot free.

But it is nice to see the bu$hit crime cabal sweating bullets meanwhile.

At least the crooks have had their sheep outfits removed by Fitz enough that people can see them for the wolves they really are now.

[rodeodance]

28. but it seems that Fritz is going for the big one-as neighbors of Wilson

were still being interviewed by the FBI last night--as to whether or not they knew if Val was a cia agent. this tells me he is going for the break. (although the other charges are also viable in addtion).

[longship]

31. Glass half-empty, eh?

Have you no faith?

We already know fairly well that this isn't going to happen.

[Zynx]

32. Everything points to at least some indictments.

You're entitled to your opinion, but there is very little evidence to back up your position.

[Triana]

37. I'm not trying to be argumentative and I hope I'm WRONG!

But there isn't a lot of evidence that he will indict either - just a lot of speculation from the media.

I figure it could go either way. I'd like to say I'm more confident he'd indict but I'm not. That said, I hope he DOES. Just am not counting on it.

[longship]

29. Bloomberg: Grand Jury in CIA Leak Probe Plans No Announcements

Oct. 26 (Bloomberg) -- The U.S. grand jury hearing evidence in the leak of a CIA agent's identity won't announce any indictments today, a Justice Department official said.

U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald met today with grand jurors at the federal courthouse in Washington. Fitzgerald made no comment as he and his staff arrived at 9 a.m. for the start of the session, which lasted about three hours.

More at link.
www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=akMskuikfpGM&refer=top_world_news

Apparently Fitzmas is gonna be tomorrow or Friday.

[MidwestTransplant]

30. Now Mayor Bloomberg is involved? How does he know about this?

;) Just kidding of course.

[Seabiscuit]

36. Do yourselves a favor and quit taking this media hype seriously.

It's all bullpucky. ALL of it. "a source with knowledge of the investigation".... "experts say".... "attorneys close to the investigation say"... etc., etc.

The ONLY people remotely involved with the invesigation who are talking to the media are defense attorneys for Rove and Libby. They only spout defense points that they want the media to report as "news". It's nothing but propaganda, rumor, and sordid speculation.

Please do yourselves a favor, people, and quit reading this tripe. If you can't refrain, at least stop taking it seriously.

It's pure B.S.

Spend time with your significant others, your children, your relatives, your spouses, your friends, your work, your hobbies. Take a vacation. Whatever. Just wait until there is some really *hard news* about Fitzgerald *after* Fitzgerald concludes his preliminary work and takes legal action (or not).

[Tiggeroshii]

39. No Announcement from Leak Counsel as Deadline Approaches-NYT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 26 — Tensions rose today at the White House as a special prosecutor met with a grand jury but postponed at least until Thursday any public announcement of a decision on indictments over the leak of a C.I.A. operative’s identity.

As the special counsel, Patrick Fitzgerald, neared the end of a nearly two-year investigation, speculation continued to grow that one or two top White House advisers, and perhaps more, might face criminal indictments.

The grand jury’s term will expire on Friday unless Mr. Fitzgerald obtains an extension.

But the two men apparently at the center of the inquiry — Karl Rove, the president’s deputy chief of staff, and I. Lewis Libby, the vice president’s chief of staff - went about business as usual.

So did President Bush, who stuck to a busy schedule, even as he faced the unsettling prospect of losing the advice of Mr. Rove, a man he often has described as “the architect” of his political success.

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/26/politics/26cnd-leak.html?hp&ex=1130385600&en=6dbe6025cdb9b9a9&ei=5094&partner=homepage

[No Exit]

40. My opinion on why Fitz sent men out to interview Wilsons' neighbors

just a day or so ago: I believe that those last minute trips were in response to a question from a grand juror. That's all.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

46. Interesting and disturbing.

It shows the willingness to indict but it also shows room for doubt.

Tea leaves inside of tea leaves inside of tea leaves.

[ailsagirl]

41. AP: No indictments today

CIA Leak Investigation
Updated: 2:56 PM Oct 26, 2005
Associated Press

The federal grand jury looking into the leak of a CIA operative's identity has adjourned for the day without announcing any indictments.

A Justice Department official says no announcement will be made Wednesday.

The panel met for three hours with Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, who's finishing up a two-year criminal probe. An indictment could accuse one or more administration aides of breaking a law barring the intentional unmasking of an undercover CIA officer.

Attention has centered on President Bush's top political adviser Karl Rove and Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, Scooter Libby.

The prosecutor also has examined other possible crimes: mishandling classified information, perjury and obstruction of justice.

The grand jury's term expires Friday, though it could be secretly extended by a federal judge, at Fitzgerald's request.

http://www.wtvynews4.com/news/headlines/1923542.html

[ed murrow]

42. Friday at 5

I still don't think he will announce anything until Friday

[BobMorr]

43. Why no announcment today

Maybe he doesn't want to take the White Sox out of the spotlight when they win the World Series tonight!:toast: Being from Chicago, he may be a White Sox fan.:bounce: One more day of waiting will only get the right more nervous.

[kainah]

44. that's a good theory, BobMorr

I admit to wanting Fitzmas to come NOW but that won't make it happen. So, with all the unfounded speculation floating about, your theory about him being a White Sox fan is as good as any for tonight.

[Matariki]

45. Maybe they're planning a surprise FBI raid on the Whitehouse?

wishful thinking ;-)

[alcibiades_mystery]

48. He's from Brooklyn

He just works in Chicago.

I doubt he's a White Sox fan.

[Tiggeroshii]

47. Isn't there a press conference scheduled for tommorrow afternoon?

What do you suppose that might be about?

[DeepModem Mom]

49. LAT: Suspense Builds Over Leak Investigation (juror: "See you Friday.")

Suspense Builds Over CIA Leak Investigation
By Richard B. Schmitt, Times Staff Writer


WASHINGTON -- The CIA leak case continued to build today toward a climactic finish as a grand jury investigating possible wrongdoing by top White House figures met behind closed doors for three hours and the special counsel met privately with the chief judge overseeing the case.

Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald made no announcements about whether he had decided to seek indictments, though speculation was rampant that charges were imminent.

Sources close to the case said they doubted that Fitzgerald would seek to extend the term of the jury, which expires Friday, raising the likelihood of a dramatic denouement soon.

Some lawyers close to the case suggested that Fitzgerald may have already secured at least one indictment but was keeping it under seal until he was ready to announce the results of his 22-month investigation.

One grand juror was overheard telling another juror, "See you Friday," suggesting the possibility that the grand jury would continue to meet up to the last minute....


http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-102605leak_lat,0,668287.story?coll=la-home-headlines

[Lancer]

50. Could have been a bluff! Who knows at this point? n/t

[brooklynite]

51. or it could be the end of term celebratory luncheon...

[clydefrand]

52. What does the following sentence mean, please?

A federal judge would have to approve the sealing of any indictment.


Why would the indictment be sealed? Sealing the evidence from the public that was found?

[baby_bear]

55. Sealing it would only be temporary

The prosecutor would likely want to get all his ducks in a row before making an announcement when he discharge the jury panel,
but it makes sense to hand over an indictment to the judge and ask
for it to be sealed for a fixed amount of time.

Not a big deal.

b_b

[The Judged]

56. If Fitzgerald is fired prior to obtaining and sealing indictments, then .

would that lawfully avert those who are targets being indicted?

If Fitzgerald obtains indictments and gets those indictments sealed prior to getting fired, do those indictments remain preserved and viable for arraignment?

May we have clarification here.

[rodeodance]

53. good grief. they could be meeting for lunch or a walk in the park.

[faithnotgreed]

54. or they could be headed to national airport

just kidding

i agree
that quote "see you friday" definitely deserves a good grief

[noonwitch]

59. Bummer, it's my birthday, too-I was hoping for a double celebration

Maybe tomorrow?

[ailsagirl]

61. Reuters: CIA leak prosecutor prepares for Friday decision

By Adam Entous
Thu Oct 27, 2005 7:31 PM ET

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - With the fate of at least two top White House advisers hanging in the balance, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald conferred in secret with his legal team and lawyers before an expected final decision on Friday on charges over the leaking of a covert CIA operative's identity.

Indictments in the case could trigger an immediate shake-up at the White House, already on the defensive over plummeting poll figures, soaring gas prices, opposition to the Iraq war and the withdrawal of President George W. Bush's nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court, Harriet Miers.

Fitzgerald has zeroed in on Lewis Libby, chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, and Karl Rove, Bush's top political adviser, who both conversed with reporters in June and July 2003 about the operative, Valerie Plame. Other current and former administration officials may also be charged.

Attorneys representing some of the potential defendants have been making final appeals to Fitzgerald to try to avoid indictment, raising the prospect of last-minute plea agreements, according to one lawyer involved in the case.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2005-10-27T233102Z_01_KRA572753_RTRUKOC_0_US-BUSH-LEAK.xml&archived=False

[rodeodance]

62. Fitz gave Libby and Rove time to make deals. Anticipation.......

The White House initially denied Libby and Rove had anything to do with the leak, but reporters have singled them out as sources in grand jury testimony.

Fitzgerald could charge administration officials with knowingly revealing Plame's identity, as well as bring charges for easier-to-prove crimes including making false statements, perjury, obstruction of justice or disclosing classified information, lawyers involved in the case said.

Legal sources said Rove could face perjury charges for initially failing to tell the grand jury he talked to Time magazine reporter Matt Cooper about Plame.

Libby was open to false statement and obstruction charges because of contradictions between his testimony and that of Miller and other journalists, the lawyers said.

[Zynx]

63. I have no objection to nailing them on the easy stuff.

After all, they got Capone on tax evasion. They could pin all those murders on him, so they got him with what they could. The result was the same.