Prosecution Wrapping Up in CIA Leak Trial
08 February 2007
The prosecution in the perjury trial of former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby could finish Thursday, with a second day of testimony from a television journalist who contradicted Libby's statements.
Libby has claimed that Tim Russert of NBC News told him Valerie Plame was a CIA agent and the wife of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson. Wilson had accused the White House of manipulating intelligence to justify the invasion of Iraq.
Russert said Wednesday he is sure he did not disclose Plame's identity, because he only learned of it several days after his conversation with Libby.
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald alleges Libby, who is the former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney, was part of a White House effort to retaliate against Wilson. Libby has been accused of lying under oath before the grand jury.
At the trial, prosecutors played recordings of Libby testifying before a grand jury. That testimony is the centerpiece for their perjury and obstruction of justice case.
The judge released the tapes Wednesday, over objections by Libby's defense attorneys.
Some information for this report was provided by AP.
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