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Bush, George W.

Independent Investigation into White House Leak Allegations

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Justice Department has announced an independent investigation into White House leak allegations surrounding the identity of a CIA officer, Valerie Plame, whose husband, Joseph Wilson, had criticized President Bush's Iraq policy. Deputy Attorney General James Comey will oversee the investigation led by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald. Attorney General John Ashcroft had initially recused himself from the case due to potential conflicts of interest.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Justice Department will conduct an independent investigation into the White House leak allegations, with Patrick Fitzgerald serving as special counsel.
  • Deputy Attorney General James Comey has chosen Fitzgerald based on his reputation for integrity and impartiality.
  • The investigation will be independent, with Fitzgerald making all decisions about staff and resources.
  • The controversy involves CIA officer Valerie Plame's husband, Joseph Wilson, who criticized President Bush's Iraq policy.
  • The leak allegations could result in a felony conviction, with up to 10 years in prison under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.
  • The Justice Department has adopted the expired independent counsel provisions as regulations, allowing for the appointment of a special counsel.
  • President Bush and the White House have pledged cooperation with the Justice Department, but the White House will not conduct an internal investigation.

Statistics:

  • Up to 10 years in prison for a conviction under the Intelligence Identities Protection Act.
  • The 1982 Intelligence Identities Protection Act makes it a crime for a federal employee with access to classified information to make an unauthorized disclosure about a covert intelligence officer.
  • The Justice Department regulations adopted from the expired independent counsel provisions have been in place since 1999.
  • The investigation will be led by special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald, a Bush appointee.
  • The Justice Department has pledged an independent investigation, with Comey and Fitzgerald making all decisions about staff and resources.

Sources:

  • MICHAEL KIRKLAND WASHINGTON, Dec. 30 (UPI)

Washington Post

UPI

State of the Union address cited in the article

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