When Hollywood stars shone on Libby
Disclosure of reaction to Cruise-Cruz visit beings levity to perjury trial
NBC News
Updated: 2 hours, 36 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - A star-struck Lewis “Scooter” Libby was so moved by the appearance of two Hollywood celebs at his office in June 2003 that he had to mention it to his CIA briefer the next morning. The disclosure of the brush with movie stars Tom Cruise and Penelope Cruz by Vice President Dick Cheney’s then-chief of staff caused a brief roar of laughter Wednesday in Courtroom No. 16, where Libby is on trial for perjury and obstruction of justice.
The Hollywood stars visited Libby at his office in the Old Executive Office Building, part of the White House complex. When Libby's morning CIA briefer Craig Schmall arrived at his home that Saturday, Libby had to impart his exuberance about the meeting.
Schmall, testifying in the case against Libby revolving around the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s name to the media, told prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald that Libby was truly "excited about it." So excited that Schmall noted it on the table of contents of his briefing book.
The CIA officer added, "I was excited about it."
Schmall said Libby told him Cruise and Cruz came by to lobby him about how Germany treats Scientologists. The CIA briefer, who made regular 7 a.m. visits to Libby and Cheney at the White House, would also come to Libby's house in Virginia on Saturdays.
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