Libby Resigns; Indicted on 5 Counts

Lewis "Scooter" Libby was indicted on five counts in the CIA leak case. He was charged with obstruction of justice, making false statements, and perjury. Within minutes Libby resigned his post as advisor and Chief of Staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

The five-count indictment accuses Libby of lying about how and when he learned about CIA official Plame's identity in 2003 and then told reporters about it. Information on CIA operatives is classified and punishable for disclosure since 1983.

Media reports earlier in the week revealed that Libby learned about Valerie Plame from Vice President Dick Cheney. The conversation was legal, but what came after the disclosure may be punishable with jail time. Libby is accused of speaking to at least three reporters and of serving as the confirming source of disclosing Plame as a CIA operative.

Most suspect that the disclosure was made to damage Ambassador Joe Wilson, who questioned the information that supposedly proved the United States had a right to invade Iraq. With the indictment, many will surely question the justification of the war, and more importantly, the loss of over 2000 military personnel.

Karl Rove is still under investigation and waiting to find out if he will be charged with making false statements.