New York Times Reports Dick Cheney Leaked CIA Operative Name

The New York Times is reporting that Vice President Dick Cheney was an Executive branch source of the illegal leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson's name.

The Times reports in its October 25, 2005 edition, "I. Lewis Libby Jr., Vice President Dick Cheney’s chief of staff, first learned about the C.I.A. officer at the heart of the leak investigation in a conversation with Mr. Cheney weeks before her identity became public in 2003, lawyers involved in the case said Monday." The Times also reports that Mr. Cheney received Wilson;s name from CIA Director George Tenet.

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald is expected to hand down indictments this week in his office's investigation of this leak. This information increases the likelihood that Vice President Dick Cheney could be indicted for illegally passing on highly confidential goverment information, which is a criminal offense.

If indicted, Dick Cheney may consider resigning from the Office of the Vice President.
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-- Joseph Wilson and Valerie Plame Wilson Timeline at US Politics at About.com
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