"We will defend vigorously against these charges" (Statement by Libby's Lawyer)

National Review Online ^ | 10/28/05 | Joseph Tate & Lewis Libby

[frankjr]

LINK: Statement from Libby's Lawyer

[fatnotlazy]

Thank you. Dang...I work with lawyers, and even that code section you cited was too much for me. Made my head spin. :)

[uncbob]

President Bush was grossly mistaken in ever permitting a special counsel to be named. I said so at the time and was lambasted on this forum for daring to question the West Wing's poltiical genius, and that this would backfire on the Wilsons and RATs.

Same thing happened to us who crticized Bush's signing of CFR
We were asssured it was a BRILLIANT political move on the part of Bush/Rove cause the Supremes were going to toss it

[uncbob]

Of course, these are just the ALLEGATIONS of a special prosecutor and grand jury, and Scooter Libby is innocent until proven guilty. But IF the allegations are proven, what Libby did was both illegal and really stupid. You don't lie to the FBI or a grand jury. Period.

Question is why would he be dumb enough to do that when he knew they could check the facts ( supposed facts)

[fatnotlazy]

I'm still trying to digest this, but it sounds to me like this part of the code refers more to objects, rather than people.

But as they say in lawyerspeak -- this is no doubt one of the main issues for the trier of fact (and/or a jury?).

[onyx]

Agreed. I'd hire Barry Richard AND David Boies.

[conservative in nyc]

Title 18, section 793 is the section under which the indictment is handed down. Perjury, and obstruction are sub-sections under 793 {in this case}

I don't see that. Please explain. The obstruction count was brought under 18 U.S.C. s 1503; the perjury charges under 18 U.S.C. s 1623 and the false statement charges under 18 U.S.C. s 1001(a)(2). As far as I can tell, none of these charges requires proving a violation of the crimes the grand jury was originally investigating, which included 18 U.S.C. 793. You simply can't lie to a grand jury or the FBI and expect not to be brought up on at least a false statement charge, if not perjury or obstruction of justice.

All the indictment says about 18 U.S.C. s 793 is that as a person with security clearances, Libby "was obligated by applicable laws and regulations, including Title 18, United States Code, Section 793... not to disclose classified information to persons not authorized to receive such information..."

[ravinson]

We will defend vigorously against these charges...

Who is this guy "Vigorously"?

But seriously, I read the statement, and it is not at all impressive considering that it comes from a high priced Philadelphia lawyer. In any event, Mr. Libby should be sent up the river for (a) getting that sleaze Marc Rich a pardon and (b) leaking the identity of his ridiculous nickname.

[PhiKapMom]

LOL! When I first went to work for the Air Force I didn't even know what an acronym was -- now when I see a word that is all caps I figure it is an acronym but sometimes it is just all caps and means nothing. I have had that happened to me several times recently when I asked what the acronym was for and people just looked at me like I was nuts.