Valerie Plame has just filed a lawsuit in US District Court against VP Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, and Lewis Libbey claiming that they conspired to ruin her carreer.
The CIA officer whose identity was leaked to reporters sued Vice President Dick Cheney, his former top aide and presidential adviser Karl Rove on Thursday, accusing them and other White House officials of conspiring to destroy her career.
In a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court, Valerie Plame and her husband, Joseph Wilson, a former U.S. ambassador, accused Cheney, Rove and I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby of revealing Plame's CIA identity in seeking revenge against Wilson for criticizing the Bush administration's motives in Iraq.
Rumors of a lawsuit were flying several months ago.
I quoted Ed Lasky in my post about the rumor since he didn't think it would happen because Wilson/Plame weren't stupid enough to subject themselves to the rigors of discovery:
Wilson would have to be really dumb to expose himself and his wife to the rigors of discovery in a civil action. I have always wondered how two civil servants were able to afford an expensive home in one of Washington's finest neighborhoods, for example. Wilson has gotten kid glove treatment from the press. He may just be stupid enough to expose himself to an adversary equipped with subpoena power.
I guess so.
Update: John Podhoretz can 't wait:
Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Valerie. Because, you see, if the suit is summarily dismissed, she and Joe will be laughingstocks. And if it goes any further, Dick and Karl and Scooter will have the right to do discovery -- and then, I believe, Val 'n' Joe will reap the whirlwind.
Update II: Greg Tinti at Outside the Beltway comments:
According to Wilsons' lawyer, "this lawsuit concerns the intentional and malicious exposure by senior officials of the federal government of [Plame]." And, despite the lower burden of proof in a civil case, there still hasn't been one shred of evidence that indicates an "intentional and malicious" effort by anyone to specifically "out" Plame.Lorie adds: I think we have a big promotional move here. Has the movie been cast yet? The thought of all the facts coming out in a court of law is something that I find quite delicious, but something I would be surprised to see. This is all about having a forum in which to repeat the Plame-Wilson accusations against the Bush administration. Since they stand in stark contrast to all the facts coming out this week, the mainstream media coverage should be especially interesting to watch. For those who have not been following the story this week, Wizbang has had the best coverage in the blogosphere. See here, here, here, here, here and here for a primer.
Comments (81)
These people are looney and... (Below threshold)1. Posted by serfer62 | July 13, 2006 4:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
These people are looney and yet this is a very clever lawsuit. The VP has NO chance of winning anything in a DC court...
1. Posted by serfer62 | July 13, 2006 4:03 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:03
2. Posted by epador | July 13, 2006 4:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I guess she doesn't want to take full credit for her own actions and wants to share, huh?
2. Posted by epador | July 13, 2006 4:03 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:03
3. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 4:12 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They've already shown themselves stupid enough (sending husband on trip/publishing in NYT/Vanity Fair, etc).
For one to be found guilty of a civil conspiracy, wouldn't there need to be PROOF of an actual conspiracy???
Where is the proof, besides Mr. and Mrs. Plame whining about themselves???
3. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 4:12 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:12
4. Posted by steve sturm | July 13, 2006 4:13 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I'm not sure what the grounds are for filing a lawsuit. She had already given up her career as a secret agent. She had a desk job at Langley. She wasn't fired, she's the one who quit. She 'could' allege constructive discharge (I was forced to quit), but since she was a hero to the anti-bush CIA, it's unlikely anybody there gave her a hard enough time to make her quit. And, in any event, I can't imagine that CIA staff enjoy a whole lot of civil service protections... they serve (or ought to serve) at the pleasure of the powers-that-be... and if the powers that be wanted her gone, so be it.
4. Posted by steve sturm | July 13, 2006 4:13 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:13
5. Posted by 10k | July 13, 2006 4:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I call Joe Wilson to the stand ... case dismissed.
Fizzzzmassss needs something to stay afloat.
5. Posted by 10k | July 13, 2006 4:15 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:15
6. Posted by Chris | July 13, 2006 4:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Why isn't Novak named in the suit? He was the one who leaked her name to the world.
6. Posted by Chris | July 13, 2006 4:19 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:19
7. Posted by Rick13 | July 13, 2006 4:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
An obvious attempt to keep a non-story going.
7. Posted by Rick13 | July 13, 2006 4:29 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:29
8. Posted by cris | July 13, 2006 4:29 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lol, even before the debating of the case in court, you ring-winger already made final verdict. lol
Does US need a court system at all?
8. Posted by cris | July 13, 2006 4:29 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:29
9. Posted by cris | July 13, 2006 4:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lol, even before the debating of the case in court, you ring-winger already made final verdict. lol
Does US need a court system at all?
9. Posted by cris | July 13, 2006 4:30 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:30
10. Posted by Rick13 | July 13, 2006 4:31 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
PS: At least Chris Mathews will have something to smile about tonight! Not that anyone will be watching.
10. Posted by Rick13 | July 13, 2006 4:31 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:31
11. Posted by Scrapiron | July 13, 2006 4:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Couldn't this result in Wilson being charged with lying to congress and Plame being indicted for hiring a totally unqualified relative? Actually hyping an unqualified relative be put one the government payroll.
Somewhere in history I remember that both of these actions are considered criminal, not civil, actions. Lets see, criminal actions vs unfounded and unprovable civil actions. Who loses. Think the Federal prison system has kept Martha's cell clean?
11. Posted by Scrapiron | July 13, 2006 4:36 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:36
12. Posted by langtry | July 13, 2006 4:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Joe & Valerie must have seen a downturn in the number of invites to Lefty soirees and weekends with Graydon Carter in The Hamptons. Hence the lawsuit and it's charge that anyone other than Joe & Valerie's loose lips caused her career (what it was following her decision to become a mother at 40+) to decline.
The whole affair has been the greatest thing to happen to their social lives, as hostesses in DC (google Sally Quinn's comments on L'Affaire de Plame) had found Joe Wilson a boorish braggart until he became a tool for injuring Bush, Rove, Cheney et al. Seeing themselves as victims has probably brought them together closer than ever before.
The pathology of these two could provide great fodder for a PsyD dissertation, if anyone was brave enough to do it!
12. Posted by langtry | July 13, 2006 4:36 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:36
13. Posted by tarheelcon | July 13, 2006 4:40 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
"Lol, even before the debating of the case in court, you ring-winger already made final verdict. lol
Does US need a court system at all?"
You mean the same way liberals handed down verdicts on Cheney and Rove in regards to Plame's outing?
13. Posted by tarheelcon | July 13, 2006 4:40 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:40
14. Posted by Big Mo | July 13, 2006 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Why is it that EVERY TIME lefties lose, they file lawsuits?
;^)
14. Posted by Big Mo | July 13, 2006 4:53 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:53
15. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 4:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
langtry and tarheelcon get top honors. Double touche.
What are Ms. Plame's damages, pray tell? Too much publicity? Being forced onto the cover of Vanity (yes, indeed) Fair?
What are the correct terms for Wilson--a "dandy," "fop," "narcissus," "peacock," "poseur," "poser."
Wow, I just realized this extends to most of the Democrats currently in ascendancy.
15. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 4:53 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 16:53
16. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:14 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
This should be big news leading into the '08 elections -- you can expect White House attempts to block subpeonas -- we'll no doubt see AG Gonzales arguing that Cheney can't be required to testify -- our nation will look on in horror as the story unfolds, nightly, in the news.
and Wilson was right - the adminstration did lie. Got them on "motive" as well.
Ouch, this is gonna leave a mark, Republicans.
16. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:14 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:14
17. Posted by epador | July 13, 2006 5:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think Lee just had a wet dream.
Icky.
17. Posted by epador | July 13, 2006 5:19 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:19
18. Posted by michaelt | July 13, 2006 5:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Keep dreaming, Lee. The only thing you are right about is that there's going to be a mark left....either on Wilson, if the suit goes all the way, or on the nutroots, if it gets tossed.
18. Posted by michaelt | July 13, 2006 5:19 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:19
19. Posted by J.R. | July 13, 2006 5:30 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
After all that's been revealed this week, do you honestly think that Rove or Cheney (let alone Republicans) are scared of this meaningless lawsuit? Come on.
This should be big news leading into the '08 elections
I'm sure you mean '06. And that is the only reason why they are doing this, the '06 elections. This is nothing more than a political ploy to influence the elections, lawsuit probably won't go much further after them.
19. Posted by J.R. | July 13, 2006 5:30 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:30
20. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 5:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Having practiced in Federal Court, I might remind some of the nutjobs (that's you, Lee) that a Federal Judge isn't going to screw around with a law suit. It won't be the O.J. case; most Fed. Judges would probably be peeved that the docket is going to get clogged up with this garbage.
He'll not waste any time dismissing a cause of action if there is no evidence to back it up. And there is none that we've seen to date.
Oh, and discovery works both ways; I can guarantee you that the defense attorneys are going to ask for anything and everything pertaining to CIA leaks/involvement as well as NYTimes involvement. And all those Wilsonian inconsistencies and untruths will be used against the Fop.
20. Posted by Mitchell | July 13, 2006 5:35 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:35
21. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:35 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
J.R. - Lawsuits don't come to trial that quickly - this will drag on into 07 and 08. Expect a couple years of pain from this.
21. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:35 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:35
22. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | July 13, 2006 5:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
his will drag on into 07 and 08. Expect a couple years of pain from this.
And Lee gets an erection a cat couldn't scratch, LOL
22. Posted by SCSIwuzzy | July 13, 2006 5:38 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:38
23. Posted by Violence Worker | July 13, 2006 5:41 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
If Lee thinks this will be painful, I suspect he is just being plain hopeful. Cheney is not a poor man. He will hire a top notch team of lawyers, write the check and sleep soundly at night.
The Wilsons, on the other hand, will most likely be the ones to get smacked. Unlike the Grand Jury where only one side gets to ask the questions, The other side gets to ask questions too and me thinks the Wilsions might not like some of the answers they have to give.
VW
23. Posted by Violence Worker | July 13, 2006 5:41 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:41
24. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lorie adds: "For those who have not been following the story this week, Wizbang has had the best coverage in the blogosphere. See here, here, here, here, here and here for a primer."
Including Paul's pathetic posts as examples of "coverage" is hilarious. His childish vocalization of his anger towards the MSM (apparently Paul tried to get a job as legitimate journalist and failed, hence the axe he grinds constantly against the evil MSM), and his repeated deletion of comments that prove him wrong, barely qualify his posts as "fish wrap", much less "coverage".
24. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:46 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:46
25. Posted by Seixon | July 13, 2006 5:46 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Yeeeeehawwww!
25. Posted by Seixon | July 13, 2006 5:46 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:46
26. Posted by natalie maines | July 13, 2006 5:48 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's early morning. The stench of a bed unmade for days hangs in the air. Valerie turns over slowly, so as not to wake Joe. Even so, raising the blanket rolls the empty bottle of vodka to the edge of the bed where it hesitates, as though daring Valerie to catch it before it falls.
This morning was no different from the mornings of the past year following the trial. Not yet able to stand erect, she could no more have caught that bottle than she could fly. The empty vessel disappeared from sight and landed with a gentle thud upon the lightly stained cheap pile carpet.
How fortunate, thought Valerie. Had this been the old townhouse, the bottle would surely have broken on the hardwood floor.
Valerie mused over the warning she once received- that it is costly to lose.
26. Posted by natalie maines | July 13, 2006 5:48 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:48
27. Posted by Seixon | July 13, 2006 5:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Oh damn, forgot the mandatory gun-fire. Yeeeehaawwwww !
*BANG BANG BANG*
Hey Lee, try me.
You're clueless.
27. Posted by Seixon | July 13, 2006 5:49 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:49
28. Posted by John Anderson | July 13, 2006 5:49 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
They filed suit after Novak's statements? Yeah, he said Rove confirmed she worked at the CIA - but then, the CIA also confirmed it. This is a secret? And the name Plame he got from the Who's Who entry - written by the Wilsons!
28. Posted by John Anderson | July 13, 2006 5:49 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:49
29. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:54 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Plame filed suit after they were told -- as Novak recently confirmed -- that the investigation had been completed.
The fact that Novak lied puts Cheney in the uncomfortable position of having to confirm or deny, but probably wasn't a factor in the timing of the lawsuit.
The republicans are really over a barrel now.
29. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 5:54 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 17:54
30. Posted by The Listkeeper | July 13, 2006 6:03 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Lee has a very active fantasy life, as you can see.
30. Posted by The Listkeeper | July 13, 2006 6:03 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:03
31. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 6:06 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Mitchell said: "Having practiced in Federal Court, I might remind some of the nutjobs (that's you, Lee) that a Federal Judge isn't going to screw around with a law suit. It won't be the O.J. case; most Fed. Judges would probably be peeved that the docket is going to get clogged up with this garbage."
Oh, I would be so impressed, were in not for the fact hat you are wrong...
Libby's criminal trial is set to begin in January '07. This civil trial will occur after the completion of the criminal trial.
You obviously need more practice, Mitchell, because you don't know what you're talking about (re: when the trial will occur) and you are instead just stating your opinion (that the judges will be peeved).
In what state do you practice? "Inebriated"? - lol
31. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 6:06 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:06
32. Posted by GeminiChuck | July 13, 2006 6:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I hope Libby counter-sues them because the Wilsons' lies ruined his government career. That's really all that has happend after 2 1/2 years of investigations.
32. Posted by GeminiChuck | July 13, 2006 6:16 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:16
33. Posted by JP | July 13, 2006 6:19 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I think the timing of this is obvious, trying to overshadow the Novak Story of yesterday. If you read the mainstream articles none of them mention that Novak got Plames name from "WHo's WHo"...
what are odds this gets thrown out
33. Posted by JP | July 13, 2006 6:19 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:19
34. Posted by cate s. | July 13, 2006 6:34 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Well this trial will be a good laugh. I wonder who will be outfitting Mrs. Wilson (wife of the AmbASSador) for the trial.
I'm sure Lee will be down at the trial everyday when he's not hanging out with his friend Ehren.
34. Posted by cate s. | July 13, 2006 6:34 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:34
35. Posted by Mark H. | July 13, 2006 6:36 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Seems to me this is yet another example of the left being unable to resist running against Bush.
While they're all slapping each other on the back on how great it will be to win something, anything, as surely as they believed in Fitzmas, the real race will be proceeding apace and they'll lose yet again in '08.
Added Bonus: Joe/Val will, rather than extend their 15 minutes of fame into a half-hour, convert it into a chapter of permanent ridicule in the history books.
35. Posted by Mark H. | July 13, 2006 6:36 PM |
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Posted on July 13, 2006 18:36
36. Posted by Lee | July 13, 2006 6:44 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
From Plame and Wilson's Press Release: