"Scooter" Libby Gets 30 Months In Jail

Former White House Aide Faces Prison For Role In CIA Leak

(CBS/AP)  Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison Tuesday for lying and obstructing the CIA leak investigation.

Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald told the court Libby's lies created a "house of mirrors" for investigators, reports CBS News correspondent Bob Orr. Fitzgerald implored the judge to impose a tough sentence "to make it clear the truth matters."

Defense lawyer Ted Wells cited what he called Libby's "exceptional public service to our nation" that, he argued, "justifies a sentence of probation."

But U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton, known as "long ball" for his harsh judgments, was unmoved, sentencing Libby to 30 months in prison and a $250,000 fine, adds Orr.

"People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem," Walton said.

Walton did not set a prison date for Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney. Though he saw no reason to let Libby remain free pending appeal, Walton said he would accept written arguments on the issue and rule later.

Cheney, who said he was "saddened" by the verdict, described Libby in a statement as a man "of the highest intellect, judgment and personal integrity — a man fully committed to protecting the vital security interests of the United States and its citizens."

President Bush, in Europe for the G-8 Summit, said he felt "terrible" for Libby's family, but does not intend to intervene now in his case.

The U.S. Bureau of Prisons will decide where Libby serves his sentence and set a reporting date. The agency tries to place prisoners close to home whenever possible.

Libby was convicted in March of lying and obstructing an investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.

The highest-ranking White House official convicted in a government scandal since the Iran-Contra affair, Libby has steadfastly maintained his innocence.

"It is respectfully my hope that the court will consider, along with the jury verdict, my whole life," Libby said in brief remarks to the judge. He also thanked the judge and the court's personnel for the "consideration and courtesies" over the past year and a half. Libby told the judge that he realized "fully that the court must decide on punishment," reports CBSNews.com's Jennifer Hoar, after which Judge Walton paused introspectively.

Sitting with Libby's wife, Harriet Grant, during the sentencing were conservative commentators Mary Matalin, a former Cheney aide, and Victoria Toensing, a former deputy assistant attorney general during the Reagan administration. During a 10-minute recess after the sentence was read, Grant was tearful as she hugged several people around the defense table, Hoar reports.

"The sentence and fine were at the high end of the range of options here for Judge Walton, but it's really no surprise given the judge's reputation for tough sentences and his view of Libby's conduct," CBS News legal analyst Andrew Cohen said.

"Libby's lawyers have said that they will appeal his conviction, and now his 2 1/2-year-long sentence, and that probably won't be resolved by a federal appeals court until well into next year. To me, that increases the chances of a presidential pardon, especially if Libby, as expected, loses his appeal," Cohen said.

With letters of support from several former military commanders and White House and State Department officials, Libby asked for no jail time. His supporters cited a government career in which Libby helped win the Cold War and the first Gulf War.

"He has fallen from public grace," defense attorney Theodore Wells said. "It is a tragic fall, a tragic fall." Unlike in his bombastic closing arguments during the Libby trial, Wells spoke gently, almost cautiously, as he asked that his client be spared incarceration, Hoar says.

[starleo146]

Relax neocons he will not see 1 day in prison. He will file an appeal and stay out of prison while that is going on and Pres. Bush said he won't intervene AT THIS TIME. If by some chance he goes to prison Bush will PARDON him you can bet the house on it. This is a joke and the administration knew it all along and so did everyone else he went to this trial as a sacrificial lamb for Cheney and did his job and will not serve a day.

[georgew1956]

treason its plain to see cheany is running the show and the money from big oil is running to the country's courts too. two and half years

[gkc99]

What evidence is there that Armitage leaked it? He said so, but the way you tell a Bushshyte is lying is by his or her lips moving.

Just another Mafia soldier taking the hit for Il Capo.

[mcvet]

go call the ACLU and ask the liberals to nominate you for a noble prize..its fun to be a criminal
Posted by xzavierbrown at 12:02 AM : Jun 06, 2007
+ report abuse

What the "F" are you babbling about? You Fascist don't have a clue, of this we all know, but the terrible thing is you don't want one. Which "liberal's" are you referring to Swastika Breath? Truman? Kennedy? FDR? Lincoln? Teddy? Jefferson? When you spew hate a "Liberals" you spew hate at ALL the greatest in American History!

[rushlimpdrug]

"Scooter" Libby - 30 months in jail-
a grown man that goes by the nickname "Scooter"
going to jail?
Hope he doesn't drop the soap like he drops names.

[ubrew12]

"Maybe some Republicans can explain why Libby lied if he wasn't the one who released the information about Plame?" Posted by mcdazz at 12:29 AM : Jun 06, 2007

Can't help you there. He clearly felt the need to cover up for SOMEBODY. I think Fitzgerald prosecuted what he could after catching someone in a lie, because they were ALL lying, only some more successfully than others. The real story here is that they (the administration) got away with exposing a CIA agents identity to silence her husband, and Fitzgerald prosecuted the bone that was thrown to him.

The only lesson learned is that its OK to lie. Not a lesson Republicans should be teaching the public at large, but one that has been delivered anyway. Its amazing to hear Right Wing pundits get after Rap culture for being willing to lie to the cops about crime, and not realize that the people we most look up to are setting the example by doing it all the time. Clearly, gang rules apply, even in the White House.

[firststate]

Libby's lies and obstruction of justice earned him 30 months. Gonzales' lies and obstruction of justice should get him considerably longer. Bush's lies and other high crimes would earn longer than the life expectancy for an American male, but he should have the opportunity to do as much time as he has left for them.

hamiltongrad wrote:

"This is a terrible set up, The prosecuter already knew who leaked - ARMITAGE, but tried to trap this poor man, S.Libby in saying something that was not fully right. ANYONE smell a rat here ?

This is an outrage."

I smell many - Bush, Cheney, Libby, Rice, etc etc.

Oh, and Libby wasn't on trial because he leaked the information about Plame, he was on trial because he lied to investigators and tried to obstruct the investigation.

For some reason, Republicans don't seem to understand that Libby's own stupidity and actions have put him in this position.

But if it was truly Armitage who revealed the information, then Libby had no reason to lie or obstruct the investigation.

Maybe some Republicans can explain why Libby lied if he wasn't the one who released the information about Plame?

CBS Wrote:

"Cheney, who said he was "saddened" by the verdict, described Libby in a statement as a man "of the highest intellect, judgment and personal integrity %u2014 a man fully committed to protecting the vital security interests of the United States and its citizens.""

Clearly, his high intellect, judgment and personal integrity weren't present on the numerous occasions he lied and attempted to obstruct the investigation.

And that's why he deserves to be punished for his crime.

But who was he protecting? Himself? Cheney? Bush?

Why lie if he (or the others) played no part in the Plame affair.

I say we should give him a dose of waterboarding and the other "leisure pursuits" that the Republicans claim aren't torture.

After all, if they aren't torture, then the Republicans should have no problem with Libby being waterboarded, strung up by the arms, or having objects inserted into various parts of his body.

Maybe then we'll find out some real answers.

[xzavierbrown]

go call the ACLU and ask the liberals to nominate you for a noble prize..its fun to be a criminal

[wfbdem]

And if you believe in it so much, then why aren't you in Iraq fighting? Why are you allowing others to sacrifice their lives fighting for your ideals?

Are you too old? Too fat? Or just too scared?
Posted by mcdazz at 06:22 PM : Jun 05, 2007


Most conservatives are yellow elephants. All talk, no courage. Most military personal, who serve during a time of war come out as liberals. Not so much in times of peace, but if you put them in during a hot war, just like thjey say there are no atheists in a foxhole, there are no republican veterans from a war. I went in as one, but a came out with my eyes open. Same went for 80% of my company. And most vets, from a real shooting war, feel the same.
Neo-cons, do not support our troops. They feel it is "too expensive". Better lower taxes, than support our troops. And this is from experience.

[fairandbal]

It's amazing that someone could only get 2.5 years for treason.

[pepperp1]

Libby%u2019s lie delayed the public knowledge that the administration had leaked the name of a covert officer in possible retaliation for her work as a covert CIA Officer on WMD%u2019s or because of her husbands Ambassador Wilson criticism of the administration use of forged pre war Niger intelligence, until after the election. The judge should have thrown the book at him and lock him up now, and Mr. Libby, no thank you for your public service we would have been much better off with out it.

[lastdance2]

If Pres. Bush doesn't interfere.
VP Cheney will ! ! !

After All

"You are who - Your friends are ! ! !

Lastdance

[cdfoxtrot]

I'd like to say to Libby and his supporters what our great VP once said to a Senator on the floor of the senate: Go F*** yourself.

[jacksteen1]

I guess in "DickCheney'sWorld," Libby is a man of "...hign moral intellect and personal integrity." In the REAL WORLD, he is a thief and a liar.

What a sad commentary on the men the Ignorant Cracker Bible Suckers chose to lead our Nation.

[bareemperor]

The HUGE question is:

Why no outrage from the 'free' press on this, seems like it would be a m*therf*cker of a news story!
Yet, outing a CIA agent during a 'time of war' is a ho-hum occurrence in buSHAMErica...
In other times, in other administrations, there would be Deep Cleaning, but our VP says he 'was "saddened" by the verdict', and not a peep from the President of the United States...

[kansas1946]

It is deja 'vu all over again. "All The President's Men." Loyalists going to jail for trying to protect a corrupt president and vice president. They should all be in jail, including Rove.

[formrusmcsgt]

Cheney, who said he was "saddened" by the verdict, described Libby in a statement as a man "of the highest intellect, judgment and personal integrity...

------

Obviously, the judge did not concur with Cheney's opinion.

tylenol6 wrote:

"Oh please don't make me laugh. I'm sure there is
a bush/cheney sneaky plan that appeals will be made
and then the big PARDON gets Libby off. I really
don't know why Bush just dosen't pardon him now,
because it really dosen't matter. Bush's poll numbers are in the 28's and aren't going up. I do
notice abc, cbs and cnn all make Bush's poll numbers
around in the low 3o-35."

GW Bush will pardon Libby just before he leaves office.

I guarantee it.