CIA leak probe said costs $1.44M so far

[sabra]

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4216420.html

CIA leak probe said costs $1.44M so far
© 2006 The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — Federal prosecutors said Tuesday they have spent $1.44 million so far investigating the 2003 leak of a CIA operative's identity.

Since Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald and other attorneys in the case already were on the government payroll, most of the costs were covered as a "paper transfer" from one government account to another, Fitzgerald's office said.

The only additional cost to taxpayers was $333,000, most of which went to travel and contractual services such as research and court recorders. Investigators did not rent office space in Washington, eliminating an expense that drove up costs for previous investigations involving top government officials.

"We do believe we were very conscientious with the expenditure of taxpayer funds," said Randall Samborn, a spokesman for Fitzgerald's office.

[keopeli]

1. Call me crazy, but that sounds cheap!

[Demit]

2. I think that's what the story is illustrating. Starr's investigation cost

$70 million, as it notes.