CIA Leak Prosecutor Seeks to Question Reporters

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A28138-2004May14.html

A special prosecutor investigating whether administration officials illegally leaked the name of an undercover CIA operative sought yesterday to interview two Washington Post reporters in connection with the probe.

Special prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald told Post lawyer Eric Lieberman that he wants to talk to Post reporters Walter Pincus and Glenn Kessler but declined to discuss the information he is seeking, Lieberman said. Lieberman said he told Fitzgerald he would respond to the request next week.

The request to interview reporters may suggest the probe is winding up, because Justice Department guidelines require that prosecutors exhaust all other avenues before taking the step of calling reporters before a grand jury. If that is the case, as some attorneys for witnesses believe, it is not clear whether Fitzgerald is moving toward seeking indictments in the case or whether he is preparing to complete it without bringing criminal charges.

Because the probe involves a possible national security breach, it is being conducted amid extraordinary secrecy. Fitzgerald has interviewed some current and former White House officials repeatedly, people involved in the case have said. Several administration officials have testified before a grand jury in recent weeks, some for the first time.

more

[phoebe]

1. the Washington Post is receiving a lot of attention lately

should be interesting to see what the reults of this "investigation" show...

[Just Me]

2. If criminal charges are NOT brought,...

I will be spitting fire. :grr:

There is no excuse for this dirty dealing retaliatory crap that endangers the country in addition to ruining lives.

:argh:

[maddezmom]

3. glad to see the Plame affair is still making news

what little there is.... :)

[Tuttle]

4. I logged on to CNN Interactive on Thursday

I kept asking when they would put Novak on a leash and have his picture taken: I pounded them with Jail Novak messages... it runs during Crossfire on Thursdays: I meant to bring it up for other DU members to do the same.

Perhaps this week: Novak is SO quick to question others patriotism: he deserves to be put under the lights for this, bigtime!

Tut-tut

[JoFerret]

8. Interesting tactic

.

[hang a left]

9. Would it be alright though, if they leave his clothes on while he

lays on the floor. please. Just the thought.....

[LittleApple81]

5. I think it is going to be the latter, mentioned in one of the paragraphs

above:

The request to interview reporters may suggest the probe is winding up, because Justice Department guidelines require that prosecutors exhaust all other avenues before taking the step of calling reporters before a grand jury. If that is the case, as some attorneys for witnesses believe, it is not clear whether Fitzgerald is moving toward seeking indictments in the case or whether he is preparing to complete it without bringing criminal charges.

[TacticalPeek]

6. Perhaps, but I imagine that several of these evil-doers will go down here.

Their arrogant, fascist attitudes would have led them to commit felonies in attempts to cover up and silence.

The spooks won't quit. If the maladmin thought about it, they may prefer to take this hit, rather than get off scot-free here and still have the spooks in the tall grass, revelations at the ready.

[maddezmom]

7. kick

:kick:

[hang a left]

11. Or if he has let the others talk themselves into a box.......and can

catch they perjuring themselves. That is if this isn't just another cover-up like the 9-11 Commission. But alas, I imagine all the backroom deals and offers of blackmail have already been solidified.

[MaineDem]

10. If this investigation finds nothing...

it will reinforce the (sadly) overwhelming feeling I have that we are losing everything that the US has gained during our history. I am so disappointed in my govenrment right now.

[snippy]

12. Very disappointing.

If Fitzgerald can not get indictments without testimony from journalists then nothing is likely to come from this investigation before the election. If there is litigation over forcing journalists to testify, it could go on for a long time.

Perhaps the democrats should try again to put pressure on the White House to release the reporters from any confidentiality obligations. After Richard Clarke testified to the 9/11 Commission the White House did that concerning Clarke's identity as the unnamed source for a background briefing on fighting terrorism prior to 9/11.