Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales has stepped aside
from the Justice Department investigation into the leak of an
undercover CIA officer's identity. Gonzales had been involved in the
case as White House legal counsel, testifying before a federal grand
jury and giving advice about it to White House personnel. He recused
himself shortly after he was sworn in as attorney general last week,
Justice Department spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos said yesterday. Former
attorney general John D. Ashcroft had also removed himself from any
role in the investigation. Investigators want to determine who leaked
the identity of CIA officer Valerie Plame, whose name was published in
July 2003 by syndicated columnist Robert D. Novak. The investigation,
which is being conducted by U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald of
Chicago, is in its second year. Plame is married to former ambassador
Joseph C. Wilson IV, who has said his wife's name may have been
revealed as retribution for his criticism of President Bush's claim
that Iraq had sought uranium in Niger. Wilson was asked by the CIA to
check out that claim. [more]
Jailing of Reporters in C.I.A. Leak Case Is Upheld by Judges [more]
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