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He was convicted on 3 of 5 charges in the Plame Affair, including [[perjury]] and obstruction of justice, for which he received a 30-month prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and probation. On July 2, he received a presidential commutation of his 30-month sentence.

He was convicted on 3 of 5 charges in the Plame Affair, including [[perjury]] and obstruction of justice, for which he received a 30-month prison sentence, a $250,000 fine, and probation. On July 2, he received a presidential commutation of his 30-month sentence.

 

==Valerie Plame case==

==[[Valerie Plame]] case==

Libby was convicted on four counts and his sentence was later commuted.  The convictions were on:

Libby was convicted on four counts and his sentence was later commuted.  The convictions were on:

Although the U.S. Probation Office recommended a sentence of 15–21 months, Judge Reggie B. Walton (appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush) sentenced Libby to thirty months in jail and a fine of $250,000 on June 5, 2007.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial Yahoo News]</ref>

Although the U.S. Probation Office recommended a sentence of 15–21 months, Judge Reggie B. Walton (appointed to the federal bench by George H.W. Bush) sentenced Libby to thirty months in jail and a fine of $250,000 on June 5, 2007.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070605/ap_on_go_pr_wh/cia_leak_trial Yahoo News]</ref>

==Response to Conviction and Sentence==

===Response to Conviction and Sentence===

Libby's lawyers repeatedly emphasized that Valerie Plame's employment at the CIA was disclosed by columnist Robert Novak in July 2003 and that Novak's "primary sources" were Richard Armitage (former deputy Secretary of State) and Karl Rove (a presidential advisor) ... not Scooter Libby. In addition, a CIA spokesperson, Bill Harlow, confirmed the information about Plame's CIA employment to Novak.

Libby's lawyers repeatedly emphasized that Valerie Plame's employment at the CIA was disclosed by columnist Robert Novak in July 2003 and that Novak's "primary sources" were Richard Armitage (former deputy Secretary of State) and Karl Rove (a presidential advisor) ... not Scooter Libby. In addition, a CIA spokesperson, Bill Harlow, confirmed the information about Plame's CIA employment to Novak.

With respect to the sentencing stage, Libby's lawyers complained about the behavior of prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. In October 2005, Fitzgerald said (in a press conference) that he would not speak to "whether or not Valerie Wilson was covert." Early in discovery, Libby's lawyers sought documents which addressed the topic and the government refused to provide the information because it was "irrelevant." The government argued Wilson's status was "not an element of any of the three statutory violations charged." In June 2006, the court issued a discovery order which, again, emphasized that Wilson's employment was "immaterial to the preparation of the defense." In preliminary instructions to the jury, the judge said her "actual status" was "totally irrelevant" to any "assessment" of the Libby's guilty or innocence. After the trial, however, in its sentencing memo, the government adopted a "new position" - that Wilson was a "covert agent" and that Libby should be sentenced as though that fact were established at trial.  

With respect to the sentencing stage, Libby's lawyers complained about the behavior of prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. In October 2005, Fitzgerald said (in a press conference) that he would not speak to "whether or not Valerie Wilson was covert." Early in discovery, Libby's lawyers sought documents which addressed the topic and the government refused to provide the information because it was "irrelevant." The government argued Wilson's status was "not an element of any of the three statutory violations charged." In June 2006, the court issued a discovery order which, again, emphasized that Wilson's employment was "immaterial to the preparation of the defense." In preliminary instructions to the jury, the judge said her "actual status" was "totally irrelevant" to any "assessment" of the Libby's guilty or innocence. After the trial, however, in its sentencing memo, the government adopted a "new position" - that Wilson was a "covert agent" and that Libby should be sentenced as though that fact were established at trial.  

==Libby and Presidential Clemency==

===Libby and Presidential Clemency===

Almost from the beginning of his trial the President was encouraged to pardon Libby. Among those calling for pardon were [[William F. Buckley|William F. Buckley, Jr]], [[Fred Thompson]], Cal Thomas, [[Ann Coulter]], Jack Kemp, [[Tom DeLay]]<ref>http://libbypardon.net/procon.htm</ref> and Robert Bauer, general counsel to [[Barack Obama]]<ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-aide-wants-libby-pardoned-2007-06-14.html Obama aide wants Libby pardoned], By Sam Youngman, ''The Hill'', June 14, 2007.</ref> But the trial continued and sentence was announced without presidential interference. As decisions were being made regarding the possibility of bail, many believed President Bush's hand would be forced, that he would have to grant a pardon in order to spare Libby from entering prison.<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWY2MzRiNTAwZmE3NjZhMzZmODNhMTcyYjUzYzc4MjQ= "Respite for Libby?"] ''National Review'', June 14, 2007</ref>

Almost from the beginning of his trial the President was encouraged to pardon Libby. Among those calling for pardon were [[William F. Buckley|William F. Buckley, Jr]], [[Fred Thompson]], Cal Thomas, [[Ann Coulter]], Jack Kemp, [[Tom DeLay]]<ref>http://libbypardon.net/procon.htm</ref> and Robert Bauer, general counsel to [[Barack Obama]]<ref>[http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/obama-aide-wants-libby-pardoned-2007-06-14.html Obama aide wants Libby pardoned], By Sam Youngman, ''The Hill'', June 14, 2007.</ref> But the trial continued and sentence was announced without presidential interference. As decisions were being made regarding the possibility of bail, many believed President Bush's hand would be forced, that he would have to grant a pardon in order to spare Libby from entering prison.<ref>[http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=ZWY2MzRiNTAwZmE3NjZhMzZmODNhMTcyYjUzYzc4MjQ= "Respite for Libby?"] ''National Review'', June 14, 2007</ref>

On July 2, 2007, after a ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that Libby's prison sentence couldn't be suspended as the appeals process was pursued, President Bush's hand was forced and he commuted Libby's prison sentence.  This means that while Libby will serve no jail time, he will still have to pay the fine, stay on probation, and the conviction will remain on his record.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070702-4.html] "Grant of Executive Clemency, July 2, 2007",</ref> This decision was decried by Democratic Party Presidential candidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]] <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aA.bUy89_1hk&refer=homeBush Commutes Libby's Prison Term in CIA Leak Case], By Edwin Chen, "Bloomberg.com", July 2, 2007.</ref> though supported by others. Joe Wilson, on the day of President Bush's commutation of Libby, spoke to CNN's Wolf Blitzer on [[the Situation Room]] in which he stated, "Scooter Libby is a traitor."

On July 2, 2007, after a ruling by a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that Libby's prison sentence couldn't be suspended as the appeals process was pursued, President Bush's hand was forced and he commuted Libby's prison sentence.  This means that while Libby will serve no jail time, he will still have to pay the fine, stay on probation, and the conviction will remain on his record.<ref>[http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/07/20070702-4.html] "Grant of Executive Clemency, July 2, 2007",</ref> This decision was decried by Democratic Party Presidential candidates [[Hillary Clinton]] and [[Barack Obama]] <ref>[http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aA.bUy89_1hk&refer=homeBush Commutes Libby's Prison Term in CIA Leak Case], By Edwin Chen, "Bloomberg.com", July 2, 2007.</ref> though supported by others. Joe Wilson, on the day of President Bush's commutation of Libby, spoke to CNN's Wolf Blitzer on [[the Situation Room]] in which he stated, "Scooter Libby is a traitor."

==Disbarment==

===Disbarment===

On March 20, 2008, Libby was stripped of his ability to practice law as a result of his conviction in the case, per the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.  Obstruction of justice and lying are considered crimes involving "moral turpitude" that under the law require disbarment, the court ruled.  The local Board on Professional Responsibility had recommended that Libby be disbarred, the court said in its brief order, which also stated that Libby has not opposed his disbarment.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2039157920080320] "Former aide to Cheney disbarred after conviction", Reuters</ref>

On March 20, 2008, Libby was stripped of his ability to practice law as a result of his conviction in the case, per the District of Columbia Court of Appeals.  Obstruction of justice and lying are considered crimes involving "moral turpitude" that under the law require disbarment, the court ruled.  The local Board on Professional Responsibility had recommended that Libby be disbarred, the court said in its brief order, which also stated that Libby has not opposed his disbarment.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2039157920080320] "Former aide to Cheney disbarred after conviction", Reuters</ref>

==See also==

==See also==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Libby, Lewis}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Libby, Lewis}}

[[Category:United States Appointed Officials]]

[[Category:United States Appointed Officials]]

[[Category:Criminals]]

[[Category:Criminals]]