Reuters: CIA leak prosecutor sees new grand jury proceedings

[Rose Siding]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said in new court filings that the ongoing CIA leak investigation will involve proceedings before a new grand jury, a possible sign he could seek new charges in the case.

"The investigation will involve proceedings before a different grand jury than the grand jury which returned the indictment" against Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Fitzgerald said, according to filings obtained by Reuters on Friday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111800958.html

[xultar]

1. .

:bounce: :toast: :loveya: :grouphug: :hug: :pals: :yourock: :headbang: :woohoo: :applause: :popcorn: :rofl: :spray: :patriot:

[Sydnie]

2. And Fitzmas continues!

I am very excited. I hope he sends Woodward to the cell that Judy just left!

[blue2helix]

16. Uncertainty causing as much damage as current indictment!

Having this cloud hang over the administration's head is taking a terrible toll on the cabal and scaring away support! Only the most compromised supporters are sticking with Bush. And that is because they have no choice.

[Generator]

35. Correction, that's Thanksfitzgiving!

I'm in tears..hope goes on that justice may come.

[dave29]

3. woo freakin hoo

:woohoo:

[Marnieworld]

4. Yayyyyy!!!!!

:bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce::bounce:

[janx]

5. YEEAARGH!

:party::toast::loveya::grouphug:
:kick::grouphug:
:bounce: :party::toast: :kick: :toast: :party:
:pals::yourock::applause:
:party::party::party::loveya::grouphug::pals:

[wookie294]

6. Maybe Fitz read John Dean's attack on him today

"With all due respect, Mr. Fitzgerald, I believe you are being had. I believe that you were selected with the expectation that you would conduct the narrowest of investigations, and it seems you have done just that." -- John Dean

http://writ.news.findlaw.com/dean/20051118.html

C'mon, Fitz, indict the HELL out of the White House!

[rodeodance]

10. we'll see who has been "had"

[4_Legs_Good]

14. I just finished reading "All The President's Men" and Dean

has turned into a real powerhouse.

Way to go John Dean!!

david

[RazzleDazzle]

20. He was a real powerhouse back then, too

eom

[donkeyotay]

18. I respect both Fitzgerald and Dean, so I don't presume to know their

business, but Mr. Dean is right that many Americans watching this are both appalled by what has become of our government and looking to Mr. Fitzgerald to begin to bring some justice. What a travesty it would be if that hope turned out to be misplaced.

snip>
The leak of Valerie Wilson's status did not occur in a vacuum. Republicans in Congress do not want to know what truly happened. You are the last, best hope of the American people in this regard.

I can tell you, as someone who travels about the country, that Americans -- regardless of their political disposition -- are deeply troubled by this case. And, increasingly so, by the limits you have apparently placed on your investigation.

To right-minded Americans, the idea that Administration officials have betrayed their national security obligations, yet remain in their jobs, is nothing short of appalling. Beyond politics is patriotism: Patriotic Americans want to see you not only prosecute those who compromised and endangered Valerie Plame Wilson, but also force the Administration to clean house with respect to those who did this, which you can accomplish through appropriate civil action.
end>

[dmr]

19. No, Fitzgerald is a wise and articulate man

I believe it was just a matter of time before he convened another grand jury.

For everything we hear or learn, I'm certain Mr. Fitzgerald is 10 to 20 steps ahead.

This is an terrible chess game this administration is trying to manipulate, along with their pocketed media elite.

Thing is, for Fitzgerald this isn't a game. So while they dig themselves deeper, Fitzgerald's team is listening intently - investigating, gathering and catagorizing each and every utterance and pieces of paper related to this case.

I have a good deal of respect for John Dean, but I don't believe for one minute Fitzgerald has been had.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

21. Dean's full of crap on this one; and no, Fitz is not reacting to Dean.

[lumberjack_jeff]

33. Didn't Dean write that Fitz would fold up and go home?

What's he smoking?

Last month, Dean said that unless there were indictments for Perjury, Obstruction of justice or false statements, that the investigation would end without charges. Now he's faulting Fitz for doing exactly that?

Is this, like, a dare?

[Media_Lies_Daily]

34. Makes you wonder who Dean might be working for, because.....

...Woodward was saying the same things fairly recently.

[lovuian]

39. I think he's trying but just like Alice he is stumbling along

and fell in a hole!!!

[jayctravis]

40. Is it possible the slow pace is a strategic move?

I mean, winging the administration in the foot is going to cause flailing and gnashing that may reveal more than if he'd indicted a laundry list of people.

I think he's smokin'em out.

[cosmicone]

59. Well ... you have to realize

what Fitz is up against.

These vicious people will stop at nothing and try to personally destroy him if he makes even one misstep.

Even an undotted i or an uncrossed t will be used by the Bush organized crime family and their press lapdogs and pundits to discredit the whole investigation.

Fitz is doing it right. This way, when he brings in an indictment, it will stick and can be explained to the bubbas/hicks/trailertrash red-state biblethumpers in simple baseball analogies.

[sabra]

7. but but but Faux said that the Woodward revelation was a thorn

in the investigation.

I am confused again :sarcasm:

[Jim__]

8. Maybe he'll bring new charges next October 28!

Just in time for the election.

[rodeodance]

9. but read this comment!!---no longer wants all docs.

Fitzgerald's comments about bringing proceedings before a different grand jury were contained in court filings in which he backed off seeking a blanket order to keep all documents in the CIA leak case secret.

[rodeodance]

11. Fitz is giving up on getting these docs--but WSJ/otheres sueing to get it.

http://www.warandpiece.com/

This last line of the Reuters report on Fitzgerald seeking a new grand jury is interesting:

Fitzgerald's comments about bringing proceedings before a different grand jury were contained in court filings in which he backed off seeking a blanket order to keep all documents in the CIA leak case secret.

Dow Jones/the WSJ has sued to get those documents released.
Posted by Laura at 12:45 PM

[Jim__]

30. No longer wants to keep all docs secret

My understanding is that he is agreeing that some docs can be made public:

Fitzgerald was scheduled to appear in federal court today to argue that much of the evidence gathered in his investigation -- material to be used in his prosecution of Libby -- should be withheld from the public or news media before trial.

He initially sought a blanket protective order preventing Libby's defense team from releasing any of that information. ...

I think the fact that he is going to convene a new grand jury is far more interesting.

[rodeodance]

12. fitz is keeping things close to him (as usual--drats).

.......Fitzgerald did not elaborate in the document. For two years he has been investigating the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity. The grand jury that indicted Libby expired after the charges were filed late last month.

President George W. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, was not indicted along with Libby. But lawyers involved in the case said Rove remained under investigation and may still be charged.

Earlier this week Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward disclosed that he testified under oath to Fitzgerald that a senior Bush administration official had casually told him in mid-June 2003 about CIA operative Valerie Plame's position at the agency........

[wordpix2]

13. ya-HOOOO. Seems that John Dean is goading Fitz on

[Media_Lies_Daily]

22. Right. Sure. Whatever you say.

[eleny]

15. The right wing tactics are boomeranging

[radio4progressives]

17. See this link to Open Letter to Fitz by John Dean

Very critical points imperative to seeking jutice made in John Dean's

An Open Letter To Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald From Former White House Counsel John W. Dean
By JOHN W. DEAN

I just posted it in the Editorial forum :

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=103x173929

[Media_Lies_Daily]

29. Incredible. Like Fitz really needs advice from Dean on how to conduct....

...a proper investigation.

What a laugher.

[timber84]

23. MSN- New Grand jury

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10097830/



MSNBC News Services
Updated: 12:18 p.m. ET Nov. 18, 2005
WASHINGTON - Special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald said in court filings that the ongoing CIA leak investigation will involve proceedings before a new grand jury, a possible sign he could seek new charges in the case.

In filings obtained by Reuters on Friday, Fitzgerald said "the investigation is continuing” and that “the investigation will involve proceedings before a different grand jury than the grand jury which returned the indictment” against Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, Lewis “Scooter” Libby.

Fitzgerald did not elaborate in the document. For two years he has been investigating the leak of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity. The grand jury that indicted Libby expired after the charges were filed late last month.

[jackster]

24. joy joy joy !!

:applause:

[thecrow]

25. Yesssssssssssssss!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

26. Karl? Don't make plans to travel abroad...

And Dick? Don't get too comfortable in your darkened lair. It might be time for ---

[henslee]

27. Maybe all the WH denials, outrage & accusations are actuallly death throes

It sure feels like it. I think these guys are gone.

[Demobrat]

28. Yaaaaaaay

I'm SO glad I stopped by here today. This is so heartening. :-)

[donheld]

31. Great news

keep diggin' Mr Fitzgerald.

[lumberjack_jeff]

32. I can see the headlines now: "Loose lips sink dips"

[Dr Fate]

36. Butbut- the Liberal Media said Woodward's comments put all this to rest...

You mean Fitz is not bound by media spin? NO FAIR!!! ;)

[chicagomd]

37. New Grand Jury

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/18/politics/18cnd-leak.html?hp&ex=1132376400&en=2184867ca7c2bc86&ei=5094&partner=homepage

In part:

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 - The special prosecutor in the C.I.A. leak case announced today that he wants to convene a new federal grand jury, a clear signal that the indictment of I. Lewis Libby Jr. may not be the last episode in the affair.

"The investigation is continuing," the prosecutor, Patrick J. Fitzgerald, said in a court filing here. He said the investigation would now involve a grand jury different from the one that indicted Mr. Libby, a top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney, three weeks ago.

[Oceansaway]

38. Hooray !!!

[David Zephyr]

41. A "new" grand jury. Very bad news for the White House.

:popcorn:

[Raiden]

42. Excellent!!

I knew he wouldn't stop at Libby. This is great news!

[Patsy Stone]

43. WaPo: Another Grand Jury for Leak Case

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111800958.html?nav=hcmodule

Another Grand Jury for Leak Case
Move Follows Woodward Talks

By Carol D. Leonnig and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, November 19, 2005; Page A01

The prosecutor in the CIA leak case said yesterday that he plans to present evidence to another federal grand jury, signaling a new and potentially significant turn in the investigation into the unmasking of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Three weeks after indicting I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and declaring the investigation nearly complete, Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald announced a new phase in the investigation after the disclosure this week that a senior administration official revealed Plame's CIA connection to Washington Post Assistant Managing Editor Bob Woodward in mid-June 2003.

Legal experts said Fitzgerald's decision to call upon a new grand jury is all but certain because he is considering additional criminal charges in the case.

[ngGale]

44. Mmmm, new charges...

YES!:popcorn:

[roseBudd]

45. WaPO: Another Grand Jury for Leak Case

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/18/AR2005111800958.html?nav=hcmodule

Another Grand Jury for Leak Case
Move Follows Woodward Talks

By Carol D. Leonnig and Jim VandeHei
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, November 19, 2005; Page A01

The prosecutor in the CIA leak case said yesterday that he plans to present evidence to another federal grand jury, signaling a new and potentially significant turn in the investigation into the unmasking of CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Three weeks after indicting I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and declaring the investigation nearly complete, Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald announced a new phase in the investigation after the disclosure this week that a senior administration official revealed Plame's CIA connection to Washington Post Assistant Managing Editor Bob Woodward in mid-June 2003.

Two sources close to Karl Rove, the top Bush aide still under investigation in the case, said they have reason to believe Fitzgerald does not anticipate presenting additional evidence against the White House deputy chief of staff. Instead, lawyers involved in the case expect the prosecutor to focus on Woodward's admission that an official other than Libby told him about Plame one month before her identity was publicly disclosed in a July 14, 2003, column by Robert D. Novak.


Legal experts said Fitzgerald's decision to call upon a new grand jury is all but certainly because he is considering additional criminal charges in the case.

[Straight Shooter]

46. Music to my ears: "additional criminal charges in the case." n/t

[Kahuna]

47. Yep! He's got to stick it to Woodward and his source..

:woohoo:

Funny how the repukes were crowing about how the woodward bombshell exonerates Libby. They never considered that it also implicated someone else, and could also lead to conspiracy charges.

[snoober700]

49. na

It doesn't effect Libby period. To say it does is pure spin. Libby wasn't charged with outting anyone. All the pubs were saying the investigation was over too.....

[TheGunslinger]

50. Welcome to DU, snoober700!

:hi:

[fearnobush]

48. His third eye has indeed locked in on some big targets.

<>

[MADem]

51. Oh boy!! NEW charges, or NEW defendants!!! Hahaha!!!

"Whoever's Woodward's source probably feels terribly uncomfortable right now," said E. Lawrence Barcella Jr., a Washington defense lawyer and former prosecutor.

Randall D. Eliason, a law professor who formerly ran the public corruption section of the U.S. attorney's office in Washington, said Fitzgerald is clearly "looking at new defendants or new charges." That is not good news for anybody concerned about their role in Plame's identity being leaked, Eliason added.

...The source's situation appears not unlike Rove's. In his initial testimony, Rove did not reveal his conversation about Plame with Time magazine's Matthew Cooper. Only after an e-mail surfaced showing that Rove had discussed the issue with Cooper did the top Bush aide tell the grand jury about it. Sources close to Rove said he is under investigation for possibly providing misleading statements about the Cooper conversation.

..."None of this would be a news flash if this person had previously been interviewed or testified and had previously disclosed this information to investigators," Barcella said. "You have to assume they didn't disclose this interview with Woodward. Now the prosecutor has to investigate why they didn't."

[dave29]

52. Read: Rove is singing like a bird

he must have known about Woodward

[dave29]

53. Sorry Dupe

[funflower]

54. Sounds like a conspiracy to me!

:woohoo:

[leveymg]

55. Reuters Update: Rumsfeld May Be New GJ Target

According to Reuters, Woodward's source wasn't Cheney or Hadley -Rumsfeld is the one top Administration official who hasn't issued a denial. Also, Rove is still a focus of the inquiry. See, below.

Updated: 03:18 AM EST
CIA Leak Prosecutor Will Involve a New Grand Jury
Patrick Fitzgerald's Filing Says 'the Investigation Is Continuing'

By Adam Entous, Reuters
http://aolsvc.news.aol.com/news/article.adp?id=20051118121109990006&ncid=NWS00010000000001

More Coverage:
· Veep Wasn't Woodward's Source


WASHINGTON (Nov. 19) - In a sign he may seek new or revised charges in the CIA leak case, special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald said on Friday his investigation would be going back before a grand jury.
It was the first time Fitzgerald said he would be presenting information to another grand jury since the indictment and resignation three weeks ago of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby.

Lawyers in the case said the investigation into who leaked the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, which has reached into the highest levels of the White House, could be moving into a new phase that could result in charges against other top administration officials. President George W. Bush's top political adviser, Karl Rove, was told by prosecutors last month that he remained under investigation and could still be charged, lawyers said.

Fitzgerald may also be pursuing new leads following Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward's disclosure that he was told about Plame in mid-June 2003.

SNIP

"The investigation will involve proceedings before a different grand jury than the grand jury which returned the indictment" against Libby, Fitzgerald said in a court motion, which spelled out a compromise with media organizations for access to some documents in the Libby case.

SNIP

While people close to Rove sought to play down the implications, a lawyer involved in the leak case said, "It can't make Rove feel good." "He (Fitzgerald) can supersede the Libby grand jury (indictment) to include other crimes or other people," the lawyer said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

SNIP

Woodward's sworn deposition sparked renewed speculation about who first leaked Plame's identity, and sent Bush administration officials scrambling to deny involvement.

A lawyer in the case said Woodward's source had not previously testified before a grand jury in the leak case. Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman would not answer directly whether Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld was Woodward's source.

White House national security adviser Stephen Hadley, with Bush at an Asia-Pacific summit in Pusan, South Korea, left it to aides to put out the word that he was not the source.

Neither was Cheney nor Bush, according to current and former officials and their lawyers, none of whom would agree to be identified.

SNIP

B-) :7 B-) :7 B-) :7 B-) :7 B-) :7 :woohoo: B-) :7 B-) :7 B-) :7 B-) :7

[funflower]

56. He makes all of his announcements during the low points of the news cycle.

[jazzjunkysue]

57. Remember how they've tried to fire Rummy a bunch of times?

That will be their defense. Rummy did it and we tried to fire him.

It also sounds like something Rummy would do.He's the scariest on microphone, cause he doesn't even try to think outside the war rhetoric. At least Cheney and Bush can speak a version of TV reality while on mic, while they carry out their imperialism. Rummy openly admits he doesn't give a crap about anything except his war.

They'll sell Rummy into the next courtroom drama. Sure they will.

[KansDem]

58. Do the "Fitz Fits!!!"

The new DC dance! It's all the craze!



Do the Fitz Fits!
Whooo-whooo,
Do the Fitz Fits!
Whooo-whooo...

That Fitz! He simply gives me the fits!