President Bush Commutes Libby's sentence

[ConservativeMan55]

Foxnews alert.. libby sentence commuted

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STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

The United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit today rejected Lewis Libby’s request to remain free on bail while pursuing his appeals for the serious convictions of perjury and obstruction of justice. As a result, Mr. Libby will be required to turn himself over to the Bureau of Prisons to begin serving his prison sentence.

I have said throughout this process that it would not be appropriate to comment or intervene in this case until Mr. Libby’s appeals have been exhausted. But with the denial of bail being upheld and incarceration imminent, I believe it is now important to react to that decision.

From the very beginning of the investigation into the leaking of Valerie Plame’s name, I made it clear to the White House staff and anyone serving in my administration that I expected full cooperation with the Justice Department. Dozens of White House staff and administration officials dutifully cooperated.

After the investigation was under way, the Justice Department appointed United States Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Patrick Fitzgerald as a Special Counsel in charge of the case. Mr. Fitzgerald is a highly qualified, professional prosecutor who carried out his responsibilities as charged.

This case has generated significant commentary and debate. Critics of the investigation have argued that a special counsel should not have been appointed, nor should the investigation have been pursued after the Justice Department learned who leaked Ms. Plame’s name to columnist Robert Novak. Furthermore, the critics point out that neither Mr. Libby nor anyone else has been charged with violating the Intelligence Identities Protection Act or the Espionage Act, which were the original subjects of the investigation. Finally, critics say the punishment does not fit the crime: Mr. Libby was a first-time offender with years of exceptional public service and was handed a harsh sentence based in part on allegations never presented to the jury.

Others point out that a jury of citizens weighed all the evidence and listened to all the testimony and found Mr. Libby guilty of perjury and obstructing justice. They argue, correctly, that our entire system of justice relies on people telling the truth. And if a person does not tell the truth, particularly if he serves in government and holds the public trust, he must be held accountable. They say that had Mr. Libby only told the truth, he would have never been indicted in the first place.

Both critics and defenders of this investigation have made important points. I have made my own evaluation. In preparing for the decision I am announcing today, I have carefully weighed these arguments and the circumstances surrounding this case.

Mr. Libby was sentenced to thirty months of prison, two years of probation, and a $250,000 fine. In making the sentencing decision, the district court rejected the advice of the probation office, which recommended a lesser sentence and the consideration of factors that could have led to a sentence of home confinement or probation.

I respect the jury’s verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive. Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby’s sentence that required him to spend thirty months in prison.

My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely. He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting.

The Constitution gives the President the power of clemency to be used when he deems it to be warranted. It is my judgment that a commutation of the prison term in Mr. Libby’s case is an appropriate exercise of this power.

[Bush gal in LA]

Ugggh! Why can’t the DUmmies say anything without using profanity?!! They are definitely losing it over in the DUmpster!!

[True Republican Patriot]

Since DU is freaking out, then great, this was the right and just decision. GOD, We ask You to Bless Our Great President, Amen.

[maine-iac7]

Better than nothing, but with a lousy statement that doesn’t exactly stand behind Libby. Bush is still trying to placate his enemies rather than support his friends.

A full pardon, in essence, admits to guilt - forever being branded a felon....and doesn't allow for an appeal to clear his name.

_{( thinking to self: I wish these natterers would at least read though the posts before pontificating. You'd think they were DU sleepers who post here just to bash Bush whenever and however possible)}

[soccermom]

"He could have demanded that that HIS DOJ not cut a deal with Berger." You can't be serious! Right now, Gonzales is on the verge of losing his job because the DOJ appears to have fired prosecutors for failing to go after democrats, even though the prosecutors are hired at will. And you think the POTUS should have interfered in the prosecution of Sandy Burglar? No way. That would have been completely unethical.

[deport]

He was sentenced according to the FEDERAL SENTENCING GUIDELINES by a Republican judge

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Yep and so were the BP agents...

[plain talk]

One page for Clinton? There have only been two impeached Presidents. Clinton will get more space than you granted if nothing more than to talk about the impeachment and the dotcom bubble. Bush1 was GWI. Bush2 was 9/11 and Iraq.

[True Republican Patriot]

Not worth commenting on further. Have a great day
and read the Statement if that is possible. I’ll believe the President and my statements stand!

[syriacus]

I think you’ve given a good explanation of the situation.

[Fudd Fan]

This gives Scooter a chance to clear his name... which he wouldn’t be able to do with a full pardon.

[jonrick46]

Good news. Now how about starting that 800 mile wall along the Mexican border. Time is being wasted.

[MEG33]

GOOD GRIEF!

[maine-iac7]

Get a clue!

Fitz et all just lost a big time hand = they shouldn't have tried to play poker with a Texan - Just sit back and watch folks. It's gonna get interesting as the REAL facts start hitting their fans

[txrangerette]

Your words were virtually lifted (about his not respecting the rule of law) from DU. Apparently you think everyone here who sees this case as a travesty of justice and are glad he commuted the sentence don’t respect the rule of law either. In that respect your words are PERFECTly like DU’er words.

They’re so enraged on such account that if they can’t get to the President to slit his throat they’re almost ready to slit their own.

I don’t care about your politics. I went by your basis for enragement and theirs. It was the same minus the F bombs and such.

(See, Red, I told you this was where he was coming from...)

[Valin]

You can find nutter’s on both the left & the right. The difference is we on the right don’t send ours (for the most part) to Congress.

[LdSentinal]

Chris Matthews’ vacation has been ruined.

[MEG33]

BUMP!

[Grampa Dave]

                                                                                                 U.S. Department of Justice

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                                                                                           Washington, D.C. 20530
January 20, 2001

Pardon Grants January 2001

Name	Home Town	Offenses
ALLEN, Verla Jean	Everton, Arkansas	False statements to agency of United States
ALTIERE, Nicholas M.	Las Vegas, Nevada	Importation of cocaine
ALTSCHUL, Bernice Ruth	Sherman Village, California	Conspiracy to commit money laundering
ANDERSON, Joe, Jr.	Grove Hill, Alabama	Income tax evasion
ANDERSON, William Sterling	Spartanburg, South Carolina	Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured financial institution, false statements to a federally insured financial institution, wire fraud
AZIZKHANI, Mansour T.	Huntsville, Alabama	Conspiracy and making false statements in bank loan applications
BABIN, Cleveland Victor, Jr.	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma	Conspiracy to commit offense against the United States by utilizing the U.S. mail in furtherance of a scheme to defraud
BAGLEY, Chris Harmon	Harrah, Oklahoma	Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute cocaine
BANE, Scott Lynn	Mahomet, Illinois	Unlawful distribution of marijuana
BARBER, Thomas Cleveland	Hampton, Florida	Issuing worthless checks
BARGON, Peggy Ann	Monticello, Illinois	Violation of the Lacey Act, violation of the Bald Eagle Protection Act
BHATKA, Tansukhlal		Income tax evasion
BLAMPIED, David Roscoe	Ketchum, Idaho	Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
BORDERS, William Arthur, Jr.	Washington, D.C.	Conspiracy to corruptly solicit and accept money in return for influencing the official acts of a federal district court judge (Alcee L. Hastings), and to defraud the United States in connection with the performance of lawful government functions; corruptly influencing, obstructing, impeding and endeavoring to influence, obstruct and impede the due administration of justice, and aiding and abetting therein; traveling interstate with intent to commit bribery
BOREL, Arthur David	Little Rock, Arkansas	Odometer rollback
BOREL, Douglas Charles	Conway, Arkansas	Odometer rollback
BRABHAM, George Thomas	Austin, Texas	Making a false statement or report to a federally insured bank
BRASWELL, Almon Glenn	Doravilla, Georgia	Conspiracy to defraud government with respect to claims; perjury
BROWDER, Leonard	Aiken, South Carolina	Illegal dispensing of controlled substance and Medicaid fraud
BROWN, David Steven	New York, New York	Securities fraud and mail fraud
BURLESON, Delores Caroylene, aka Delores Cox Burleson	Hanna, Oklahoma	Possession of marijuana
BUSTAMANTE, John H.	Cleveland, Ohio	Wire fraud
CAMPBELL, Mary Louise	Ruleville, Mississippi	Aiding and abetting the unauthorized use and transfer of food stamps
CANDELARIA, Eloida		False information in registering to vote
CAPILI, Dennis Sobrevinas	Glendale, California	Filing false statements in alien registration
CHAMBERS, Donna Denise	Memphis, Tennessee	Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, use of a telephone to facilitate cocaine conspiracy
CHAPMAN, Douglas Eugene	Scott, Arkansas	Bank fraud
CHAPMAN, Ronald Keith	Scott, Arkansas	Bank fraud
CHAVEZ, Francisco Larios	Santa Ana, California	Aiding and abetting illegal entry of aliens
CISNEROS, Henry G.
CLINTON, Roger
COHN, Stuart Harris	New Haven, Connecticut	1. Illegal sale of gold options 2. Illegal sale of silver options
COOPER, David Marc	Wapakoneta, Ohio	Conspiracy to defraud the government
COX, Ernest Harley, Jr.	Pine Bluff, Arkansas	Conspiracy to defraud a federally insured savings and loan, misapplication of bank funds, false statements
CROSS, John F., Jr.	Little Rock, Arkansas	Embezzlement by a bank employee
CUNNINGHAM, Rickey Lee	Amarillo, Texas	Possession with intent to distribute marijuana
DE LABIO, Richard Anthony	Baltimore, Maryland	Mail fraud, aiding and abetting
DEUTCH, John		Described in January 19, 2001 information
DOUGLAS, Richard		False statements
DOWNE, Edward Reynolds		Conspiracy to commit wire fraud and tax evasion; securities fraud
DUDLEY, Marvin Dean	Omaha, Nebraska	False statements
DUNCAN, Larry Lee	Branson, Missouri	Altering an automobile odometer
FAIN, Robert Clinton		Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return
FERNANDEZ, Marcos Arcenio	Miami, Florida	Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana
FERROUILLET, Alvarez		Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering, false statements
FUGAZY, William Denis	Harrison, New York	Perjury in a bankruptcy proceeding
GEORGE, Lloyd Reid		Mail fraud
GOLDSTEIN, Louis	Las Vegas, Nevada	Possession of goods stolen from interstate shipment
GORDON, Rubye Lee	Tampa, Florida	Forgery of U.S. Treasury checks
GREEN, Pincus	Switzerland
HAMNER, Robert Ivey	Searcy, Arkansas	Conspiracy to distribute marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
HANDLEY, Samuel Price	Hodgenville, Kentucky	Conspiracy to steal government property
HANDLEY, Woodie Randolph	Hodgenville, Kentucky	Conspiracy to steal government property
HARMON, Jay Houston	Jonesboro, Arkansas	1. Conspiracy to import marijuana, conspiracy to possess marijuana with intent to distribute, importation of marijuana, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute 2. Conspiracy to import cocaine
HEMMINGSON, John		Interstate transport of stolen property, money laundering
HERDLINGER, David S.	St. Simons Island, Georgia	Mail fraud
HUCKLEBERRY, Debi Rae	Ogden, Utah	Distribution of methamphetamine
JAMES, Donald Ray	Fairfield Bay, Arkansas	Mail fraud, wire fraud, and false statement to a bank to influence credit approval
JOBE, Stanley Pruet	El Paso, Texas	Conspiracy to commit bank fraud, and bank fraud
JOHNSON, Ruben H.	Austin, Texas	Theft and misapplication of bank funds by a bank officer or director
JONES, Linda		Conspiracy to commit bank fraud and other offenses against the United States
LAKE, James Howard		Illegal corporate campaign contributions, wire fraud
LEWIS, June Louise	Lowellville, Ohio	Embezzlement by a bank employee
LEWIS, Salim Bonnor	Short Hills, New Jersey	Securities fraud, record keeping violations, margin violations
LODWICK, John Leighton	Excelsior Springs, Missouri	Income tax evasion
LOPEZ, Hildebrando	San Isidro, Texas	Distribution of cocaine
LUACES, Jose Julio	Ft. Lauderdale, Florida	Possession of an unregistered firearm
MANESS, James Timothy		Conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance
MANNING, James Lowell	Little Rock, Arkansas	Aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false corporate tax return
MARTIN, John Robert	Gulf Breeze, Florida	Income tax evasion
MARTINEZ, Frank Ayala	Elgin, Texas	Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
MARTINEZ, Silvia Leticia Beltran	Elgin, Texas	Conspiracy to supply false documents to the Immigration and Naturalization Service
McCORMICK, John Francis	Dedham, Massachusetts	Racketeering conspiracy, racketeering, and violation of the Hobbs act
McDOUGAL, Susan H.
MECHANIC, Howard Lawrence		1. Violating the Civil Disobedience Act of 1968 2. Failure to appear 3. Making false statement in acquiring a passport
MITCHELL, Brook K., Sr.		Conspiracy to illegally obtain USDA subsidy payments, false statements to USDA, and false entries on USDA forms
MORGAN, Charles Wilfred, III	Little Rock, Arkansas	Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
MORISON, Samuel Loring	Crofton, Maryland	Willful transmission of defense information, unauthorized possession and retention of defense information, theft of government property
NAZZARO, Richard Anthony	Winchester, Massachusetts	Perjury and conspiracy to commit mail fraud
NOSENKO, Charlene Ann	Phoenix, Arizona	Conspiracy to defraud the United States, and influencing or injuring an officer or juror generally
OBERMEIER, Vernon Raymond	Belleville, Illinois	Conspiracy to distribute cocaine, distribution of cocaine, and using a communications facility to facilitate distribution of cocaine
OGALDE, Miguelina	Glendale, California	Conspiracy to import cocaine
OWEN, David C.	Olathe, Kansas	Filing a false tax return
PALMER, Robert W.	Little Rock, Arkansas	Conspiracy to make false statements
PERHOSKY, Kelli Anne	Bridgeville, Pennsylvania	Conspiracy to commit mail fraud
PEZZOPANE, Richard H.	Palo Heights, Illinois	Conspiracy to commit racketeering, and mail fraud
PHILLIPS, Orville Rex	Waco, Texas	Unlawful structure of a financial transaction
POLING, Vinson Stewart, Jr.	Baldwin, Maryland	Making a false bank entry, and aiding and abetting
PROUSE, Norman Lyle	Conyers, Georgia	Operating or directing the operation of a common carrier while under the influence of alcohol
PRUITT, Willie H. H., Jr.	Port Richey, Florida	Absent without official leave
PURSLEY, Danny Martin, Sr.	Goodlettsville, Tennessee	Aiding and abetting the conduct of an illegal gambling business, and obstruction of state laws to facilitate illegal gambling
RAVENEL, Charles D.	Charleston, South Carolina	Conspiracy to defraud the United States
RAY, William Clyde	Altus, Oklahoma	Fraud using a telephone
REGALADO, Alfredo Luna	Pharr, Texas	Failure to report the transportation of currency in excess of $10,000 into the United States
RICAFORT, Ildefonso Reynes	Houston, Texas	Submission of false claims to Veterans Administration
RICH, Marc	Switzerland
RIDDLE, Howard Winfield	Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado	Violation of the Lacey Act (receipt of illegally imported animal skins)
RILEY, Richard Wilson, Jr.		Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute
ROBBINS, Samuel Lee	Cedar Park, Texas	Misprision of a felony
RODRIGUEZ, Joel Gonzales	Houston, Texas	Theft of mail by a postal employee
ROGERS, Michael James	McAllen, Texas	Conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana
ROSS, Anna Louise	Lubbock, Texas	Distribution of cocaine
RUST, Gerald Glen	Avery, Texas	False declarations before grand jury
RUST, Jerri Ann	Avery, Texas	False declarations before grand jury
RUTHERFORD, Bettye June	Albuquerque, New Mexico	Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute
SANDS, Gregory Lee	Sioux Falls, South Dakota	Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
SCHWIMMER, Adolph		Conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, conspiracy to export arms and ammunition to a foreign country and related charges
SERETTI, Albert A., Jr.	McKees Rocks, Pennyslvania	Conspiracy and wire fraud
SHAW, Patricia Campbell Hearst	Wilton, Connecticut	Armed bank robbery and using a firearm during a felony
SMITH, Dennis Joseph	Redby, Minnesota	1. Unauthorized absence 2. Failure to obey off-limits instructions 3. Unauthorized absence
SMITH, Gerald Owen	Florence, Mississippi	Armed bank robbery
SMITH, Stephen A.
SPEAKE, Jimmie Lee	Breckenridge, Texas	Conspiracy to possess and utter counterfeit $20 Federal Reserve notes
STEWART, Charles Bernard	Sparta, Georgia	Illegally destroying U.S. Mail
STEWART-ROLLINS, Marlena Francisca	Euclid, Ohio	Conspiracy to distribute cocaine
SYMINGTON, John Fife, III
TANNEHILL, Richard Lee	Reno, Nevada	Conspiracy and restraint of trade
TENAGLIA, Nicholas C.	Lafayette Hill, Pennsylvania	Receipt of illegal payments under the Medicare program
THOMAS, Gary Allen	Lancaster, Texas	Theft of mail by postal employee
TODD, Larry Weldon	Gardendale, Texas	Conspiracy to commit an offense against the U.S. in violation of the Lacey Act and the Airborne Hunting Act
TREVINO, Olga C.	Converse, Texas	Misapplication by a bank employee
VAMVOUKLIS, Ignatious	Exeter, New Hampshire	Possession of cocaine
VAN DE WEERD, Patricia A.	Tomahawk, Wisconsin	Theft by a U.S. Postal employee
WADE, Christopher V.
WARMATH, Bill Wayne	Walls, Mississippi	Obstruction of correspondence
WATSON, Jack Kenneth	Oakridge, Oregon	Making false statements of material facts to the U.S. Forest Service
WEBB, Donna Lynn	Panama City, Florida	False entry in savings and loan record by employee
WELLS, Donald William	Phenix City, Alabama	Possession of an unregistered firearm
WENDT, Robert H.	Kirkwood, Missouri	Conspiracy to effectuate the escape of a federal prisoner
WILLIAMS, Jack L.		Making false statements to federal agents
WILLIAMS, Kevin Arthur	Omaha, Nebraska	Conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine
WILLIAMS, Robert Michael	Davison, Michigan	Conspiracy to transport in foreign commerce securities obtained by fraud
WILSON, Jimmie Lee	Helena, Arkansas	Converting property mortgaged or pledged to a farm credit agency, and converting public money to personal use
WINGATE, Thelma Louise	Sale City, Georgia	Mail fraud
WOOD, Mitchell Couey	Sherwood, Arkansas	Conspiracy to possess and to distribute cocaine
WOOD, Warren Stannard	Las Vegas, Nevada	Conspiracy to defraud the United States by filing a false document with the Securities and Exchange Commission
WORTHEY, Dewey	Conway, Arkansas	Medicaid fraud
YALE, Rick Allen	Belleville, Illinois	Bank fraud
YASAK, Joseph A.	Chicago, Illinois	Knowingly making under oath a false declaration regarding a material fact before a grand jury
YINGLING, William Stanley		Interstate transportation of stolen vehicle
YOUNG, Phillip David	Little Rock, Arkansas	Interstate transportation and sale of fish and wildlife

                                                                                                 U.S. Department of Justice

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[Cedric]

“This was clearly done to silence Libby from saying what he knows.”

Got tin foil?

[SunkenCiv]

Judge Dismisses New York Times Lawsuit
AP via SFGate | 7/2/7 | DEEPTI HAJELA, Associated Press Writer
Posted on 07/02/2007 4:39:23 PM PDT by SmithL
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1859892/posts

[txrangerette]

There’s no such thing as “a Republican judge”. If he was appointed by a Republican President that in no way makes him a Republican. If he happened to be a Republican politically that in no way must be allowed to enter his courtroom. You are posting wild and absurd statements now.
What’s the matter...cover blown? I’m leaving now to care for my mom as most longterm FReepers know I have full responsibility for 24/7. Shirking that isn’t worth the likes of another second with you.