Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Judge Tosses Ex-Spy's Suit Against Cheney

Court rules Plame's civil action vs. VP, Rove, Libby won't go forward

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 19, 2007 3:43 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A judge today dismissed outed CIA operative Valerie Plame's civil suit against Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, and Scooter Libby, saying that the revelation of her identity "was incidental to the kind of conduct that defendants were employed to perform." Furthermore, the judge ruled, Plame and her husband, ex-ambassador Joseph Wilson, failed to show that the case belongs in federal court.

The Wilsons sued the current and former White House officials last July, before Libby's conviction on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. District Judge John Bates acknowledged the "important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials," CNN reports. A spokeswoman for Cheney said the VP is "pleased" at the ruling.

Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, right, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley wait for the start of a President Bush's news conference, Thursday, May 24, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)
Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, right, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley wait for the start of a President Bush's news conference, Thursday, May 24, 2007, in the Rose Garden of the White House...   (Associated Press)
Vice President Dick Cheney, right, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, listen as President Bush and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, not shown, meet in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, Monday, June 25, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Vice President Dick Cheney, right, and National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley, listen as President Bush and Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, not shown, meet in the Oval Office of the White House...   (Associated Press)
Former CIA officer Valerie Plame, left, and her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, arrive for a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington in this July 14, 2006, file photo. President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis Scooter Libby from a 2-year prison term in the...
Former CIA officer Valerie Plame, left, and her husband, former ambassador Joseph Wilson, arrive for a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington in this July 14, 2006, file photo. President...   (Associated Press)
FILE** Former CIA officer Valerie Plame takes part in a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, in a Friday, July 14, 2006 file photo. President Bush spared former White House aide I. Lewis Scooter Libby from a 2-year prison term in the CIA leak case Monday, July...
FILE** Former CIA officer Valerie Plame takes part in a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, in a Friday, July 14, 2006 file photo. President Bush spared former White House aide...   (Associated Press)
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, Tuesday, March 6, 2007. President Bush commuted Libby's sentence on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, file)
Former White House aide I. Lewis 'Scooter' Libby, leaves federal court in Washington, Tuesday, March 6, 2007. President Bush commuted Libby's sentence on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More details of the ruling
CNN

The plaintiffs' lawyers weren't optimistic anyway; the defendants' lawyers are relieved
Associated Press

 
Bush administration • Dick Cheney • Valerie Plame • Joseph Wilson • Karl Rove • CIA leak investigation • Lewis Scooter Libby

More Newser Stories

Cheney on Plame Leak: I Can't Recall

Court Tosses Lawsuit Over CIA Leak

Scooter Won't Need to Beg for Pardon

Cheney: Wilson Mission Was CIA 'Amateur Hour'

Evidence Tying Cheney to Plame Leak Grows
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne