This is it, the week we've all been waiting for, well, umm, some of us anyway. If there are indictments, I'm buying champaign.
Reuters:
Federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald appears to be laying the groundwork for indictments this week over the outing of a covert CIA operative, including possible charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, lawyers involved in case said on Sunday.
Top administration officials are expected to learn from Fitzgerald as early as Monday whether they will face charges as the prosecutor winds up his nearly two-year investigation, the lawyers said.
Fitzgerald could convene the grand jury as early as Tuesday to lay out a final summary of the case and ask for approval of possible indictments, legal sources said. The grand jury hearing the CIA leak case normally meets on Wednesdays and is scheduled to expire on Friday unless Fitzgerald extends it.
While Fitzgerald could still charge administration officials with knowingly revealing Plame's identity, the lawyers said he appeared more likely to seek charges for easier-to-prove crimes such as making false statements, obstruction of justice and disclosing classified information.
Another possibility was for Fitzgerald to bring a broad conspiracy charge, the lawyers said.
Hat tip to Atrios
UPDATE: The Washington Post is reporting that Novak has been cooperating with Fitzgerald all along, "although neither the columnist nor his attorney have said so publicly."
Website to watch: Special Prosecutor Patrick J. Fitzgerald
Plamegate Fitzgerald CIA leak Valerie Plame Karl Rove Rovegate Treasongate Libby Rove Bush
