JASON LEOPOLD-GRAND JURY HEARS EVIDENCE AGAINST ROVE!

[kpete]

Grand Jury Hears Evidence Against Rove
By Jason Leopold
t r u t h o u t | Report

Thursday 20 April 2006

Just as the news broke Wednesday about Scott McClellan resigning as White House press secretary and Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove shedding some of his policy duties, Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald met with the grand jury hearing evidence in the CIA leak case and introduced additional evidence against Rove, attorneys and other US officials close to the investigation said.

The grand jury session in federal court in Washington, DC, sources close to the case said, was the first time this year that Fitzgerald told the jurors that he would soon present them with a list of criminal charges he intends to file against Rove in hopes of having the grand jury return a multi-count indictment against Rove.

In an interview Wednesday, Rove's attorney, Robert Luskin, confirmed that Rove remains a "subject" of Fitzgerald's two-year-old probe.

"Mr. Rove is still a subject of the investigation," Luskin said. In a previous interview, Luskin asserted that Rove would not be indicted by Fitzgerald, but he was unwilling to make that prediction again Wednesday.

"Mr. Fitzgerald hasn't made any decision on the charges and I can't speculate what the outcome will be," Luskin said. "Mr. Rove has cooperated completely with the investigation."

Fitzgerald is said to have introduced more evidence Wednesday alleging Rove lied to FBI investigators and the grand jury when he was questioned about how he found out that Valerie Plame Wilson worked for the CIA and whether he shared that information with the media, attorneys close to the case said.

MORE AT:
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/042006Z.shtml

[Greeby]

1. If I wasn't so sick, I'd break out the snacks

:)

[helderheid]

3. feel better!

[npincus]

35. aw- get well soon!

[Auntie Bush]

91. Just think of all the calories your saving and rejoice in Rove's

downfall. Boy won't all those Freepers be sick when they lose their beloved evil Rove. I just hope an incitement will keep his filths little mitts out of the cookie jar...and maybe we'll win this election. He can only juggle so many balls at a time.

[dogday]

2. Ever think Scotty had to go because he

denied Rove's involvement and when the indictment comes down, he would of looked pretty foolish.. The press corp would of killed him with that... I wonder??????

[Senator]

6. He would certainly be on a witness list for a trial

since his early conversations with Rove about the leaking would have to be compared to later versions.

--

[Sydnie]

9. That was my first thought yesterday when I heard the news

My heart fluttered to think of the true implications and the timing of his departure. Since they haven't named a replacement for him and he has stated that the window to assist the replacement could be two or three weeks, I suspect that movement on Fritz's case is getting very near.

[IndyOp]

11. Can Fitz keep Rove out of the 2006 elections?

Am I the only American terrified by the fact that Rove is focusing on the (THEFT OF THE) 2006 elections!??!?


:scared: :hide: :scared: :hide: :scared: :hide: :scared: :hide:

[helderheid]

12. you're not the only one - if they don't steal it, * and trigger happy are

impeached, Pelosi is the Speaker of the House so she'd be President in 2007.

[Lasher]

38. I like your thinking, helderheid

Happy happy joy joy, happy happy joy!

Looks like Karl is going to be a tad busy this year, and might not be in a position to lend his 'expertise' to campaign 2006, eh?

A lot can happen between now and November. I sure hope we manage to take control of the House and/or the Senate this year. I don't know what else it would take to convince all those right wing fools that it is Democrats, and not Republicans, who stand up for Americans.

[Marnieworld]

39. wow! Give me what you have...

Cause I'd love to feel that optimistic again. Maybe it's what happens when you spend a day surrounded by Roses and patriots. :hi: :hug:

[PegDAC]

80. Actually, she'd be the House Majority Leader

since she is currently Minority Leader. The Dems would then choose a Speaker of the House, and every Dem Representative is eligible. It wouldn't break my heart if they choose John Conyers.:D

[goclark]

84. John Conyers would be music to my ears

and star light to my eyes.

:hug:

[yodermon]

14. He'd have to be in jail

and even then...

[elehhhhna]

20. He'll be dammned distracted, regardless....GO FITZ!

[laundry_queen]

24. Well, I'm terrified by it.

But I'm Canadian :P
Seriously, that's all I could think about yesterday: now he's working full-time on election fraud. Yipee.

[DoYouEverWonder]

57. The only thing Rove will be focusing on

for the rest of his life is his legal defense.

Being under indictment is like going to hell. Your life is consumed with defending yourself and your old world falls apart. Rove's run his last race. He's toast.

[NJCher]

95. yep

Time to pay the piper.

We've waited for this time for so long: Watching them plunder our country and disgrace our democracy. Dragging our country out of the ranks of the great nations and into banana republic status. The time is nigh. Finally, finally, justice may be served.

The day that prick is perp walked is a day I hope I have off, sitting here behind my monitor, joining in on a toast with my DU buddies.




Cher

[BrklynLiberal]

65. My very thought.

[tridim]

86. Theft of the 2006 Elections

FROM HIS FUCKING OFFICE IN THE WHITEHOUSE AT TAXPAYER EXPENSE!

Sounds like he wont be around much longer though.

[Botany]

15. heart flutter?

Did i ever tell you that you are my Fav?

I so want to see Rove dragged out in cuffs.

[kpete]

27. Great pics!!!

[Patrick J Fitzgerald]

53. Are those Libby's Bears?

Are you suggesting that I ask the judge to put Karl Rove in a jail cell with a horny bear? Something to consider...Nonetheless, May I Suggest Pop Secret..?

Root Beer, Jordan Almonds and Goobers or Raisinets. You may want to pull up a chair since it should prove to be pretty entertaining from here on out.

http://patrickjfitzgerald.blogspot.com

[Patsy Stone]

69. That's hot.

:hi: K&R.

[gordianot]

10. Also note on the same day Rove was removed from policy to political job.

Just a coincidence I am sure.

[dogday]

43. Poo-Poo is gonna fly when

congress reconvenes me thinks....

[tavalon]

55. If they notice

Except for a few amazing patriots in our Congress, most are catatonic and on the take. And definitely not paying attention to anything.

[PearliePoo2]

25. good point

Yes, his resignation seemed a little too sudden.
And remember there is no replacement for Snotty yet.
Wouldn't you think that they would want the transition to a new press secretary to be seamless? Especially since everything is in such turmoil right now. I think McPuffy wants to get the hell out of the scrutiny of the press corps when they call him out on his lies. Exit stage left!
Maybe it's really coming down??
Hope hope please please

[jazzjunkysue]

83. They need 4 weeks to train someone how to pronounce "empordent."

Besides, those lobotomy scars don't heal very fast.

[NJCher]

97. first belly laugh of the day

Goes to you. "Empordent."

It's enough to make me go nuke-you-leer.




Cher

[jazzjunkysue]

101. You're welcome. The war on brains lost a foot soldier today.

[worldgonekrazy]

50. Or maybe he knew the shit was going to hit the fan

and didn't want to deal with it.

I think your scenario is quite possible though. They need a new face in there to spin the lies a slightly different way.

[tavalon]

54. Um, Scottie looked silly every time he opened his mouth

This would have been different day, same old spin.

[peekaloo]

4. lol....."cooperated completely with the investigation".

What a card that Luskin. :sarcasm:

[Marnieworld]

40. Except when he was lying of course

I had to say it outloud as I was reading after every time Luskin was quoted saying that. The charges will be all about how he wasn't cooperating. It's such bullshit.

[lala_rawraw]

88. singing all along:)

[kpete]

100. There you are...

Great article on Cheney games in Iran...

[Nickster]

5. WOW, it might actually be happening. I'm starting to get a lil bit of hope

[Beetwasher]

7. Sweet!

It all comes together and it all falls apart.

[0007]

8. How can Lusking say with a straight face that Rove has cooperated

completely with the investigation? Sounds like lyrics in the up coming swan song.

Fitzgerald is said to have introduced more evidence Wednesday alleging Rove lied to FBI investigators and the grand jury when he was questioned about how he found out that Valerie Plame Wilson worked for the CIA and whether he shared that information with the media, attorneys close to the case said.

Fitzgerald told the grand jury that Rove lied to investigators and the prosecutor eight out of the nine times he was questioned about the leak and also tried to cover-up his role in disseminating Plame Wilson's CIA status to at least two reporters.

Ah yes, Rove is just an honest cooperating truth telling loving American, huh?
Kind of obvious that Rove resigned yesterday.

[Garbo 2004]

16. Rove "cooperated" by answering their questions. Unfortunately for him, his

answers to investigators/Fitz/grand jury apparently were lies rather than full truthful disclosure.

As far as I know the last I saw, Rove didn't resign. His job in the WH is basically back to what it was before.

[Botany]

13. Is it dinner yet?

I do not want to eat any but I love the butchering and cooking part.

[PegDAC]

81. Talk about "pulled pork" n/t

:evilgrin: :party:

[HereSince1628]

17. A couple of questions...

- - Attorneys and US officials close to the investigation said.- - What is being communicated here? I assume people, particularly reporters, who "know Washington" appreciate this as some sort of code. But it just leaves me wondering.

1) How does an attorney outside of Fitzgerald's office know what went on at the Grand Jury? Which is to say would Fitzgerald tell/alert either Rove's or a grand jury witnesses attorney that Fitzgerald told the GJ that he was soon to bring criminal charges? Is Fitzgerald's team of attorneys leaking?

2) What sort of other US official is there who would be in a position to become knowledgable and would be motivated to leak this?

Does the label "attorneys and US officals" describe two qualities of the same people who are leaking, which is to ask are the leakers of what happened in the Grand Jury US officials who are also attorneys?

[KoKo]

30. Good questions. I wondered who could be leaking this, too. It can't

be any of Fitz's folks because they are leak free. And, if only Fitz presented to the Grand Jury then what "officials" from the Bushies would be there? No one...since only Fitz could present info. So who was it?

Should we believe this? Could it be that Rove knows what's coming down and is trying to get ahead of it? Could it be a lawyer in the Bush administration who has turned on Rove and wants to make sure the bad news gets out there? :shrug:

[HereSince1628]

33. Makes me wonder similar questions...

I am sure that Leopold describes the sources in order to give this some credibility of course. It didn't work for me but maybe it does for others.

[Me.]

36. Team Libby?

Taking the spotlight off their boy? Already cautioned by the judge for leaking.

[HereSince1628]

41. That's why I asked if Fitzgerald would alert anyone about what

was about to happen in the GJ.

I can see maybe how such a thing might be useful as a lever to move Rove. Rove really seems to respond very well to threats. Rove's team might have told Libby's team, etc.

But I can't see why in the world Fitzgerald would alert Libby's lawyers that he was warning the GJ that they would soon be asked to return indictments against Rove.

[gkhouston]

64. I wonder if there's any coordination

(licit or otherwise) between Libby's lawyers and Rove's lawyers because I can't see this leak coming from Fitzgerald's side of the aisle. They've all been models of discretion. That leaves defense lawyers, courtroom personnel, or jurors themselves. Until now, all the leaks have had the odor of defense-oriented leaks, so I very much doubt this one came from the latter two sources. It seems like everyone involved in this mess understands what the rules are and how they should be followed except the BushCo clowns and their attendants.

[druidity33]

75. my thought too...

I don't think they're quite on the same side. Rove has disdain for the OVP. Libby knows he's not gettin outta this. He'll take down anyone else he can (except maybe Dick) if it can lessen the impact on him. Distraction. Reasonable Doubt. Coersion. His team will use scary/psych tactics...

I like seeing them fight each other...

schadenfreude?

[Stinky The Clown]

18. Innerestin' .... this could put him on the sidelines for the midterms

I know some will speculate that he'll still have some covert contact with the campaign. I'm of another mind. If this were a single national campaign, he might try it, but in a midterm? I don't think it will be as easy for him to covertly continue to work.

Besides, once he's charged, he's got his own personal problems to deal with.

[babylonsister]

19. From your lips, H2S! nt

[Protagoras]

21. Please not sidelines...I want him in the HEADLINES

and Behind Bars. The Reps should not be able to walk away from him, he should be glued to their hip as they run (and lose) because he's why they are there in the first place. As he falls so should they.

[Stinky The Clown]

52. If he's on the sidelines, its cuz he IS in the headlines.

:)

[jazzjunkysue]

85. I'd prefer the lunchline at the federal min. security pen, personally.

:hug:

[dubyaD40web]

22. K & R!!

I'm lovin' it!!

[IChing]

23. "Bring it on" to quote our naked emperor....good news...n/t

[Roland99]

26. Will we be celebrating Fitzmorial day next month?

[foreverdem]

63. LOL!

I hope we don't have to wait that long!

[PegDAC]

82. How about

Fitz-o de Mayo?

:7 :hippie: :party: :bounce: :beer: :thumbsup: :woohoo: :applause:

[Zen Democrat]

28. Can Rove be a purely political operative and be paid by the government?

I've always throught that a job such as the one announced for Rove had to be paid by the RNC. Taxpayer money shouldn't be used to fund the job of a partisan in the WH cooking up strategy for the fall elections.

And, yes, I think they all smell indictments coming down for Rove. You can sense it by the change in Luskin's responses -- and by the removal of Rove's policy "portfolio" as they say.

And Simple Scottie -- that was just about the worst speech I've ever heard by a man pushed out of his job. Pathetic little whimpering soldier taking one for his Dear Leader.

[thereismore]

49. That's exactly what I was saying. Rove cannot "work on the

elections" on our money!!!

[DoYouEverWonder]

59. His job and activities in the WH since 2001

are a clear violation of the Hatch Act. Too bad we don't have a functioning government that enforces the law.

[Fleshdancer]

29. Is this why Rove was demoted? n/t

[Buzz Clik]

31. Rove looks like he'll have a new job

No more making policy, but he'll be making these:

[Dr. Death]

32. I don't want to get my hopes up,

because they've been dashed so many times in the last few years, but please, PLEASE, let this be true...if it is, it could bring the whole thing down.

:thumbsup:

[npincus]

34. Great! "brain" surgury right before 2006 campaign season!

I can see the headlines now: "B*sh's Brain Indicted"!!!!! tee hee

this may be why Rove was removed from his policy-making postition... to minimize impact of indictments were they to come down.



:loveya:

[Zorra]

37. An indictment of that treasonous worm would go a long way toward

restoring my faith in the justice system.

[flyarm]

42. merry merry merry merry merry merry merry merry merry merry

Fitzmas!!!!!!!!!!

i am so happy i am dancing in the streets!!

i could only be happier when the indictments come down...woooo hoooo!!

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl::rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

let the games begin!!!!!!!!!:popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn: :popcorn:


fly

[twaddler01]

44. Rove is going down! n/t

[JohnnyLib]

45. Gotta see it to believe it

I'm too damn cynical to start cheering. Then again, ol' Nixon's bunch unravelled across one amazing spring and summer. Stay tuned.

[tavalon]

56. I just upped my antidepressent dose

so lets just take this with a grain of salt but as it unravels here, I think the crazy trapped beasts will lash out with bunker buster nukes or attempt a 9/11 part deux.

[Deep13]

46. Old Turdblossom must be sweating mayonaise right about now.

[raysr]

47. I hope he's

fighting for his life when the '06 elections come.

[Nostradammit]

48. LOL!

Thanks for the imagery...

[worldgonekrazy]

51. If Rove is indicted on multiple counts...

...does it end there? Or does Fitz use the big fish to go after the biggest fish (Cheney and Bush)? What could he go after Cheney and Bush for? Libby has been charged with perjury, and if this article is correct this should be the primary charge against Rove as well. But I don't believe Bush or Cheney were ever in a situation where they could have perjured themselves. Obstruction of Justice, on the other hand, seems quite possible.

[Patrick J Fitzgerald]

58. I am the decider...

on that issue and when I decide to charge them you will know all. :)

[Catherine Vincent]

60. Get bent!

LOL! :hi:

[Missy Vixen]

62. Patrick, sweetie, cupcake,

I still have a few teeny-tiny little questions for you. Really! It won't take much time, and I'll even make your favorite for dinner (lasagna, isn't it?)

I really need to know, and I promise I won't tell a soul!

:loveya:,
Julie
president for life of the PFEB

[leveymg]

93. OOJ and perjury are really the same crime. Penalty higher for OOJ -

10 years/count vs 5 yrs for perjury. Main difference is that perjury stems from a misrepresentation made under oath, while OOJ is the charge when the lie was to a federal officer, such as a US Attorney or FBI agent, or some other action that impedes an investigation, such a paper shredding or attempting to erase e-mails after a subpoena.

[KansDem]

61. Careful, this could be a Rovian plot...!!!

He could be directing attention to himself in hopes of incriminating himself in this investigation. He may be purposely lying in hopes of having indictments sent up against him.

Why? We don't know... o n l y x R o v e x k n o w s !

[BrklynLiberal]

66. Nothing would make me happier than a perp walk with Piggy boy in tow.

[King Coal]

98. LOL! Now you're talkin' Brook. Thanks.

[carincross]

67. 95% chance

Ed Schultz just interviewed Mr. Leopold who said he thinks there's a 95% chance that the Grand Jury will bring an indictment against Karl.

[BuyingThyme]

73. I heard that too. That's a pretty confident wager.

[Supersedeas]

68. gotta keep Rove around so he does SQUEAL like a pig

[Independent_Liberal]

70. I'm ready for some pork roast!

Give me some BBQ sauce!

:D

[cassiepriam]

71. Be still my heart. I may have cardiac arrest....

I suppose it is very bad karma to gloat over Rove's very bad luck.

[autorank]

72. kpete, K&R. What a story. Kudos to Leopold, a consistent winner. n/t

[kpete]

74. Wow, Autorank

I will take the credit for posting, but Jason is the true star. I can never get enough of his great insight!
You're great article today - Secret Vote Counting Crammed Down the Throat of Democracy - is Amazing. It is all over the blogosphere! You make us proud!

[autorank]

87. Thank you for the kind words.

You grab all the good stuff. You should give a "news search" seminar. "kpete" is a good
brand identifier for news around here and this is about as good as it gets for breaking
news.

Around the blogosphere, the "Cramdown" piece. Any search tips professor?

Thanks for all your great posts and I share your thoughts on Leopold.

[sendero]

78. I heard this guy...

... (with this story) on Ed Schultz today :)

[LibertyorDeath]

76. The Champagne is waiting !

Come on Fitz you can do it!

[Independent_Liberal]

79. I'm firing up the BBQ pit. You're welcomed!

:D

[LibertyorDeath]

90. Yum some BBQ shrimp & chicken

Sounds good! :toast:

[Lefty48197]

77. How far into his jail sentence will Rove have to be before Bush will fire

him?

[Nothing Without Hope]

89. Rove and the White House will ignore this development, dismissing

it as wrongheaded persecution of a fine public citizen. And the GOP Congress will let this happen.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

92. The GOP congress has no control over Fitz or his investigation.

[kpete]

94. Stop the bleeding

Where are you?

[don954]

96. this made my day

now, if they can just go up the chain some more.... ;)

[BuyingThyme]

99. kcik