Ex-Cheney aide Libby sentence due
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6722795.stm Version 0 of 1. Former key White House official Lewis Libby, who was found guilty of obstruction of justice and perjury in March, is due to hear his sentence. Mr Libby was at the heart of the row over the unmasking of CIA officer Valerie Plame, whose husband had criticised the war in Iraq. There is speculation that Mr Bush might pardon Mr Libby rather than have him serve out a prison sentence. Mr Libby was the former chief of staff to Vice-President Dick Cheney. No-one has ever been charged with the offence of leaking the name of Valerie Plame. Instead, Mr Libby was charged and convicted of lying to a jury about the case. LIBBY CHARGES AND VERDICT Two counts of perjury - guilty on bothTwo counts of making false statements - guilty on oneOne count of obstruction of justice - guilty <a class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/6391091.stm">White House secrets revealed</a> The prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, says that is serious enough. The lies were repeated and blatant, and significantly impeded the FBI investigation, and Libby should be jailed, he says, for up to three years. The judge has given no hint of how he intends to proceed. He could send Mr Libby straight to jail or he might pass sentence but suspend it until all appeals are exhausted. If an immediate jail sentence is ordered, President Bush cannot escape involvement. Many of his core supporters would be cheered if he were to grant a pardon. Mr Bush has the legal right to take that action, and he may feel that politically he has nothing to lose. |