JURIST - Paper Chase: Cover-up charges reportedly being considered in CIA leak case

[JURIST] Charges of making false statements, obstruction of justice, disclosing classified information and conspiracy are being considered by federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald [official profile] against administration officials in the investigation into the leak of a CIA operative's identity, lawyers close to the case said Thursday. The two-year investigation began after the identity of Valerie Plame [JURIST news archive] was revealed days after Plame's husband, Ambassador Joseph Wilson, criticized the administration's pre-Iraq war intelligence. Charges will likely be brought next week, though Fitzgerald's spokesman declined to comment on those reports. Charges could be filed against top Bush political advisor Karl Rove for failing to tell the grand jury during his initial appearances that he discussed Plame with a TIME magazine reporter [JURIST report]. Lewis Libby, chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, also faces possible charges [JURIST report] of making false statements and obstruction of justice. Fitzgerald could also charge administration officials with knowingly revealing Plame's identity, but sources say the other charges are more likely. Reuters has more.

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