[McGavin999]

Presumably the CIA knew her status and whether a law may have been violated when they asked for an investigation, and if not, I'm relatively certain the Ashcroft's investigation would have figured that out...

The CIA presumably knew her status when Novak called to verify her employment. Why didn't they forbid him to publish the story?

[Brillo_Breaks]

The CIA presumably knew her status when Novak called to verify her employment. Why didn't they forbid him to publish the story?

CIA: "Yes indeed mister reporter, she's actually one of our spies. But please don't tell anyone we told you that."

Um, the CIA can't legally say that anymore than any other government official could.