Day 32: It's Becoming Clear That Perjury Charges Are Being Prepared
MR. BUSH, TEAR DOWN THAT STONE WALL!
A daily service of the DNC, "Mr. Bush, Tear Down That Stone Wall!" will highlight a specific fact that has been revealed and what Americans deserve to know about the White House's involvement in the improper and possibly illegal disclosure of an undercover CIA agent's identity for political gain.
WHAT'S BEEN UNCOVERED
Fitzgerald Had History of Pursuing Perjury In Previous Investigations. According to individuals familiar with his case history, special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has pursued perjury charges in a significant portion of the cases he has investigated. The Los Angeles Times reported, "Fitzgerald's tendency to invoke the laws against lying comes from two things, colleagues say: the particular way he uses grand jury testimony when he conducts an investigation, and his deep-seated aversion to being lied to." [Los Angeles Times, 8/15/05]
Rove Told Different Story Than Novak to Special Prosecutor. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove told Fitzgerald that he first learned the identity of the CIA agent from syndicated columnist Robert Novak, according a person familiar with the matter. Novak, who was first to report Plame's name and connection to Wilson, has given a somewhat different version to the special prosecutor. Robert Luskin, Rove's attorney, declined in an interview to comment. [Bloomberg, 7/22/05]
Rove Told Different Story Than Cooper to Special Prosecutor. There also is a discrepancy between accounts given by Rove and Time magazine reporter Matthew Cooper. The White House aide mentioned Wilson's wife -- though not by name -- in a July 11, 2003, conversation with Cooper, the reporter said. Rove says that Cooper called him to talk about welfare reform and the Wilson connection was mentioned later, in passing. Cooper wrote in Time magazine last week that he told the grand jury he never discussed welfare reform with Rove in that call. [Bloomberg, 7/22/05]
Libby Told Different Story Than Russert to Special Prosecutor. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, told special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that he first learned from NBC News reporter Tim Russert of the identity of Central Intelligence Agency operative Valerie Plame, the wife of former ambassador and Bush Administration critic Joseph Wilson, one person said. Russert has testified before a federal grand jury that he didn't tell Libby of Plame's identity, the person said. [Bloomberg, 7/22/05]
WHAT AMERICANS DESERVE TO KNOW
With Fitzgerald's history of pursuing perjury in his investigations, and with Rove and Libby's contradictory testimonies it is becoming increasingly clear that perjury charges are being prepared. Why are there two people still working in the White House? Why do they still have their security clearances? What reason does Bush and Cheney have for keeping these two staff members when they are embroiled in an investigation? Is this part of a larger cover-up? How high does this cover-up reach?
32 DAYS Since the American Public Learned That A White House Official With Security Clearance Leaked The Identity Of A Covert CIA Operative.
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