U.S. to Hunt Source of Wiretap Leak
Josh Meyer
Chicago Tribune
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Washington (US):
The Justice Department disclosed Friday that it is investigating who leaked classified information about President Bush's top-secret domestic spying program, assuring a potentially contentious criminal probe that reaches into the highest echelons of the White House, Congress and the courts.
Several U.S. officials familiar with the investigation, which is in its infancy, said it will be conducted by FBI agents specially trained in probing national security matters and counterintelligence.
Like another ongoing high-profile investigation of a leak with political overtones, the disclosure of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, witnesses and possible targets of criminal prosecution, including journalists, likely will be brought before a federal grand jury that will hear evidence and decide whether to issue indictments, the U.S. officials said.
The officials said that all federal probes into the leaking of classified information are sensitive.But the level of sensitivity surrounding the current probe is extraordinary because of the presumption that few government officials knew of the program. Officials at the Justice Department, the FBI and the NSA refused to comment, except to confirm Friday that the investigation was under way.
Dec 31, 2005
Josh Meyer
Chicago Tribune
____________
Washington (US):
The Justice Department disclosed Friday that it is investigating who leaked classified information about President Bush's top-secret domestic spying program, assuring a potentially contentious criminal probe that reaches into the highest echelons of the White House, Congress and the courts.
Several U.S. officials familiar with the investigation, which is in its infancy, said it will be conducted by FBI agents specially trained in probing national security matters and counterintelligence.
Like another ongoing high-profile investigation of a leak with political overtones, the disclosure of the identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame, witnesses and possible targets of criminal prosecution, including journalists, likely will be brought before a federal grand jury that will hear evidence and decide whether to issue indictments, the U.S. officials said.
The officials said that all federal probes into the leaking of classified information are sensitive.But the level of sensitivity surrounding the current probe is extraordinary because of the presumption that few government officials knew of the program. Officials at the Justice Department, the FBI and the NSA refused to comment, except to confirm Friday that the investigation was under way.
Dec 31, 2005
