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CIA Leak Lawsuit Dismissed

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July 19, 2007 3:44 PM

ABC News' Jason Ryan and Theresa Cook report:  A federal judge has dismissed a civil law suit filed by outed CIA operative Valerie Plame Wilson.

The suit, filed by Plame Wilson and her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, charged that Vice President Dick Cheney, White House political advisor Karl Rove, former Cheney aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage damaged her career by leaking her name.  She has since resigned from the CIA.

"This case is not just about what top government officials did to Valerie and me," Joseph Wilson said in a statement after the ruling.  "We brought this suit because we strongly believe that politicizing intelligence ultimately serves only to undermine the security of our nation.”

District of Columbia District Court Judge John D. Bates determined that the suit's claims “pose important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials,” but dismissed the case because of a lack of constitutional remedy available to them.

President Bush appointed Bates to the bench in December 2001.  Previously, he had served as deputy counsel to Kenneth Starr during the Monica Lewinsky investigation.

Plame Wilson’s identity was revealed in a syndicated column in July 2003.  The revelation came shortly after Joseph Wilson criticized the Bush administration’s basis for the Iraq war in a New York Times op-ed.  The couple has charged that the leak was part of a scheme to discredit Wilson’s claim.

Libby is the only person indicted in the CIA Leak probe; he was convicted by a jury in March on charges of lying to the FBI and a grand jury, as well as obstructing justice.  President Bush commuted Libby’s 30-month prison term earlier this month.

Last week, Bush acknowledged publicly for the first time that "perhaps somebody in the administration did disclose the name" of Plame.

"I'm aware of the fact that perhaps somebody in the administration did disclose the name of that person," Bush told reporters during a White House press conference.

Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and one of the Wilsons’ lawyers, said in a statement, “While we are obviously very disappointed by today’s decision, we have always expected that this case would ultimately be decided by a higher court.” 

“We disagree with the court’s holding and intend to pursue this case vigorously to protect all Americans from vindictive government officials who abuse their power for their own political ends,” Sloan's statement continued.

CREW says the Wilsons’ lawyers are reviewing the decision, and anticipate filing an appeal. 

Joseph Wilson said the “decision is just the first step in what we have always known would be a long legal battle and we are committed to seeing this case through."

July 19, 2007 | Permalink | User Comments (74)

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These low lives must be brought to justice. There is no such thing as a person or people getting away with so much so often. Their day of reckoning will arrive -- and not too soon for me.

Posted by: Ginny Albert | Jul 19, 2007 4:02:29 PM

How is this not surprizing. The adminstration is above the law. People need to wake up and see that "the bush" and mr. potter (cheney) are untouchable. You can not sue a dictator.

Posted by: dale blanton | Jul 19, 2007 4:22:29 PM

To Ginny
Are you talking about Plame & Wilson?
Or, could it be Armitage, you know, the one that actually "outed" Plame's name, (which was already out there to begin with)
What a total joke.
Good Call, Judge. And Good Riddance Attention whores, Plame & Wilson.

Posted by: Bridget | Jul 19, 2007 4:22:30 PM

Good for the ruling....Low Life's...? who the low life, the Dan Rathers, making false claims the Michel Moore with their false documentary's, the Liberal spew so much hate, it make me wonder if they will ever be able to run this country.

Fox News's and Fred Thompson in 08. Libs quite your crying and bogus laws suites

Posted by: Freddie | Jul 19, 2007 4:23:46 PM

She was a covert operative and the judge says it in the ruling.

Posted by: amused | Jul 19, 2007 4:26:44 PM

you people who hate bush would dog him no matter what. Mr. and Ms. Plame and co. would love to be leading the pack. The whole world esp the US is infinitely better off thanks to GW who has stood by himself between a rock and a hard place since 9/11. The attacks from the terrorists I pretty much have expected but the americans who have taken bin laden's, zarkowi's, amidinijab's, jung II's, castro's, chavez's side and publicly attacked our own president have really surprised me. No wonder FDR did nothing until after pearl harbor. The next president will have to remember how many people must die until he's really doing the world a favor.

Posted by: blindcharlie | Jul 19, 2007 4:29:11 PM

exactly Bridget...these people watch too much Amercan Idol or main stream media. You all watch a month of two of Fox New you will get the whole story, they have both Left & Right side issues, not just the Dan Rathers, where is he anyway....anyone know.....?

Posted by: Freddie | Jul 19, 2007 4:34:56 PM

This judge shouldn't have the power to dismiss this case! It should be up to a jury!

Posted by: Jim | Jul 19, 2007 4:36:28 PM

Well, talk about a judge paying back political favors. I thought they were suppose to be above politics. Guess not.

We can all sleep well knowing that our country is in the hands of those who will sell our government's security for political gain. (NOT!)

What a crock!!

Posted by: Roy | Jul 19, 2007 4:49:01 PM

Outing VP was the same as outing a janitor who sweeps the CIA floors or the cook who serves up green beans in the CIA cafeteria. All were equally involved with covert operations at the time of the so-called `outing'

Posted by: Patrick | Jul 19, 2007 4:51:04 PM

The Republican party is in the toilet now Bush's rating are at an all time low. the Dems swept the last mid-term election. the country is sick of the Right wing and their total Hate of anyone who does not think just like them. I'm a veteran and a liberal!

Posted by: Dala212 | Jul 19, 2007 4:59:35 PM

Down with majority rule.
Kudos to Blindcharlie!

Posted by: jim | Jul 19, 2007 5:03:30 PM

Let us applaud the decision of the courts for it was right in the eyes of Jesus. Nobody must be allowed to damage the holy legacy of George the Blessed.

Posted by: Jujubee Jones | Jul 19, 2007 5:13:40 PM

Freddie,
I didn't really mean dictator what I really am calling him is dicktator. I could care less about clintons impeachment. Their isn't a politician out there to be trusted anymore. One person was right calling bush a ceo. Correct, Our country is run by the coorporations, not the people. Freddie must be one of those rich people driving around in a 1960 piece making a janitors wage and calling himself a republican. Your the idiot!

Posted by: blanton | Jul 19, 2007 5:14:19 PM

HATE?! HATE!? We don't need no stinkin' hate! We just need cold frosty beer! and the internet...and maybe this chair....and my dog...ok, I don't need my dog. Get happy...it's almost 2008!

Posted by: mojo | Jul 19, 2007 5:16:38 PM

All you right wingers better pull your heads out of the sand before GWBush completely distroys this country. Your probably the last 24% that think the moron is doing a goog job.

Posted by: Bushwacker | Jul 19, 2007 5:17:04 PM

Quote article "President Bush appointed Bates to the bench in December 2001. Previously, he had served as deputy counsel to Kenneth Starr during the Monica Lewinsky investigation."

Well well well.. wasn't that just lucky for the Bush Admin!! I pray at night they burn in hell for messing this country up as bad as they have.

Posted by: Troy Street | Jul 19, 2007 5:21:50 PM

Yeah yeah Bushies.. save your defense for someone who cares... All I want is MY USA back! Take you're totalitarian right wing nut job psycho religious babble to a country that CARES... like IRAN!

Posted by: Troy Street | Jul 19, 2007 5:24:55 PM

tw...your right, I stand corrected. but once again, its a even playing field, I didn't hear crying about it when Bill Clinton won....You all think there a right wing conspiracy when you loose

Posted by: Freddie | Jul 19, 2007 5:25:11 PM

Looks like freddie has left the post. wouldn't want him to keep his mind on any one subject for more than a few microseconds. This is what it boils down to people. The goverment keeps people arguing and fighting between dem and repub, conservative vs liberal, red vs blue, while they do what ever they are going to do anyway. There is no difference in washington between republican and democrate. Just rhetoric to cause division in the masses.

Posted by: ivehadit | Jul 19, 2007 5:28:12 PM

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