Waxman to Fitz-"Were Any Federal Criminal Statutes Violated by White House Officials?"

kpete

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Thu Mar-08-07 03:34 PM
Original message

Waxman to Fitz-"Were Any Federal Criminal Statutes Violated by White House Officials?"

Edited on Thu Mar-08-07 03:35 PM by kpete

HENRY A. WAXMAN, CALIFORNIA
CHAIRMAN
ONE HUNDRED TENTH CONGRESS

Dear Mr. Fitzgerald:

I commend you on your professional and thorough investigation into the disclosure of
Valerie Plame'Wilson's identity as a covert CIA agent. It is apparent that you followed the facts
where they led and served the interests of justice and the American people.

By necessity, your investigation had a narrow legal focus: 'Were any federal criminal
statutes violated by White House officials? Your investigation, however, has raised broader
questions of national significance. I am writing to invite you to meet to discuss how the
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is the principal oversight committee in
the U.S. House of Representatives, can become informed of your views about these broader
issues.

The identity of undercover CIA operatives is supposed to be one of the most closely
guarded national security secrets. There are a host of adminishative requirements designed to
safeguard this type of information from disclosure. Yet the trial proceedings raise questions
about whether senior White House officials, including the Vice President and Senior Advisor to
the President Karl Rove, complied with the requirements governing the handling of classified
information. They also raise questions about whether the White House took appropriate
remedial action following the leak and whether the existing requirements are sufficient to protect
against future leaks. Your perspective on these matters is important.

After the verdict was announced yesterday, one juror expressed the view that former
Chief of Staff to the Vice President Lewis "Scooter" Libby was only a"fall gtly." This juror's
views encapsulated questions that many in Congress and the public have about whether the
ultimate responsibility for the outing of Ms. V/ilson rests with more senior officials in the White
House. This is another area where you have a unique perspective.

I recognize that as a federal prosecutor, you are constrained by the rules of grand jury
secrecy. But you undoubtedly recognize that Congress has a responsibility to examine the policy
and accountability questions that your investigation has raised. As a result of your investigation,
you have a singular understanding of the facts and their implications that bear directly on the
issues before Congress.

I respectfully request that you meet with me and the Committee's Ranking Member, Tom
Davis, to discuss the possibility of testifying before the Committee and other means by which
you can inform the Committee about your views and the insights you obtained during the course
of your investigation.

I look forward to the opportunity to speak with you.
Sincerely,

Henry A. Waxman
Chairman
cc: Tom Davis
Ranking Minority Member

http://oversight.house.gov/Documents/20070308134201-02108.pdf