Posted on 10/07/2004 11:47:37 AM PDT by cyncooper
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A federal judge held a New York Times reporter in contempt on Thursday for refusing to testify in the investigation of whether the Bush administration illegally leaked a covert CIA officer's name to the media.
U.S. District Chief Judge Thomas Hogan ordered the reporter, Judith Miller, held in confinement at a suitable place. He did not specify where she would be confined, but it most likely would be in jail.
The judge, who last month upheld a subpoena requiring Miller's testimony before a federal grand jury about her confidential sources, stayed any confinement, pending an appeal by The New York Times.
A number of top officials have been questioned in the leak investigation, including President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Colin Powell. The investigation is being led by Justice Department special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
The investigation has been hearing testimony in an attempt to establish who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame to the news media last year. Her husband, a diplomat in the Clinton administration, has charged the White House acted in retribution for his clash with Bush over an Iraq weapons claim.
Miller said she was "extremely disappointed that I have been sentenced to jail," even though she did not write and her newspaper did not publish an article about Plame.
Miller said it was "frankly frightening" that she may be put in jail "just for doing my job and talking to government employees about public issues."
"Confidential sources, especially in Washington, are vital for balanced reporting if the public is to hear from government critics," she said.
Arthur Sulzberger Jr., the Times' publisher, said in a statement the investigation has moved "dangerously off course" and Miller had done nothing wrong.
"She is not the person who revealed the identity of a CIA agent. Yet she is the one who is facing time in jail while the very people who exposed Ms. Plame remain unpunished," he said.
As part of the investigation, a number of reporters have been subpoenaed to testify about their confidential sources. No charges have been brought as part of the probe, which began more than a year ago.
I find it quite interesting.
You saw that comment too. Takes a lot of nerve.
Judith Miller has been held in contempt. NYT is appealing so she remains free.
I can't get the connection between her and Wilson/Plame.
Wasn't she being investigated for leaks about an impending raid on a AQ fron charity in New York too?
Wasn't she being investigated for leaks about an impending raid on a AQ front charity in New York too?
So what happens next? Will we ever get to the truth of this story?
The Wilson trip was to Niger to "investigate" a claim of Iraq pursuing yellowcake to make WMDs.
I see a connection.
Mind you, I've never claimed Judith Miller did anything wrong. My theory is she's a witness, not complicit in the Wilson/Plame scheme.
Gee, ya f***ing THINK?
Yes. In that case Fitzgerald is alleging her colleague actually tipped off that charity. Again, I think she's a witness, not complicit. (I hope that's the case!)
If she was allied with Wilson/Plame in some way, that would be the opposite view point.
Exactly what is it called when you get to the truth of a lie?
A$$ whipping? I forget.
She is not the first reporter to be held in contempt in this matter. Tim Russert and Matt Cooper already have been and they ended up working out a deal and giving limited testimony. I predict the same will happen here.
curiouser and couriouser...hope Plame and Jo Jo have very good lawyers.
He also has the option of having her placed in house arrest, I think.
My point is I don't think she was allied with the Wilson/Plame camp but may have knowledge about them.
Miller can have the cell next to Martha cell.
Maybe so. But it is not Constutionally protected 'speech' and if you refuse to cooperate you should expect to be held in contempt and sit in jail with the rest of the cockroaches.
Well, the Wilsons did attend a Kitty Kelley book signing (how tacky) and Mrs. Wilson was seen chatting with Abbe Lowell there...Purely social, I'm sure (ahem).
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