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Ex-Cheney aide seeks prison delay Ex-Cheney aide seeks prison delay
(about 2 hours later)
Lawyers for former White House official Lewis "Scooter" Libby are due in court to try to prevent him being sent to prison before his appeal is heard. Lawyers for former White House official Lewis "Scooter" Libby have gone to court to try to prevent him being sent to prison before his appeal is heard.
Libby was found guilty of obstruction of justice and perjury over the inquiry into the unmasking of CIA agent Valerie Plame and sentenced to 30 months' jail.Libby was found guilty of obstruction of justice and perjury over the inquiry into the unmasking of CIA agent Valerie Plame and sentenced to 30 months' jail.
His lawyers argue he has a good chance of winning an appeal and should remain free while the legal process goes on.His lawyers argue he has a good chance of winning an appeal and should remain free while the legal process goes on.
Libby was the former chief of staff to Vice-President Dick Cheney.Libby was the former chief of staff to Vice-President Dick Cheney.
Nobody has ever been charged with the offence of leaking the identity of Ms Plame, whose husband criticised the Iraq war.Nobody has ever been charged with the offence of leaking the identity of Ms Plame, whose husband criticised the Iraq war.
Emergency orderEmergency order
The attempt by Libby's lawyers to keep him out of jail is seen as a long shot because US District Judge Reggie B Walton has already said he sees no reason to grant the request for a delay.The attempt by Libby's lawyers to keep him out of jail is seen as a long shot because US District Judge Reggie B Walton has already said he sees no reason to grant the request for a delay.
Sentencing Libby earlier this month, he said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt. Speaking at the hearing on Thursday, Judge Walton said he had received "harassing, mean-spirited" letters and phone calls since sentencing Libby to jail.
"Some of these were wishing bad things on me and my family," he told the court.
Sentencing Libby earlier this month, Judge Walton said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt.
WHAT IS CIA LEAK CASE ABOUT? Libby was found guilty of lying to the FBI and a grand jury over revelations about CIA agent Valerie Plame's identityCritics said the White House leaked Ms Plame's identity to undermine her husband, ex-ambassador Joseph WilsonHe had publicly cast doubt on the Bush administration's case for war in IraqThe alleged cover-up, rather than the leak itself, was the subject of the Libby trial Q&A: CIA leak case Begging a president's pardonWHAT IS CIA LEAK CASE ABOUT? Libby was found guilty of lying to the FBI and a grand jury over revelations about CIA agent Valerie Plame's identityCritics said the White House leaked Ms Plame's identity to undermine her husband, ex-ambassador Joseph WilsonHe had publicly cast doubt on the Bush administration's case for war in IraqThe alleged cover-up, rather than the leak itself, was the subject of the Libby trial Q&A: CIA leak case Begging a president's pardon
Judge Walton also fined Libby $250,000 (£125,000) and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison. He also fined Libby $250,000 (£125,000) and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison.
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald filed documents in court on Tuesday urging Judge Walton not to hold back on setting a date for Libby to start his jail term.Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald filed documents in court on Tuesday urging Judge Walton not to hold back on setting a date for Libby to start his jail term.
If Libby's lawyers are unsuccessful in their plea to Judge Walton, they are expected to ask an appeals court to issue an emergency order delaying the sentence.If Libby's lawyers are unsuccessful in their plea to Judge Walton, they are expected to ask an appeals court to issue an emergency order delaying the sentence.
They have questioned whether Mr Fitzgerald had the authority to bring the case and argue that Libby was not able to present a full defence because classified information could not be discussed in court.They have questioned whether Mr Fitzgerald had the authority to bring the case and argue that Libby was not able to present a full defence because classified information could not be discussed in court.
There has been speculation that President Bush might pardon Libby but the White House has said it will not intervene while the legal process is ongoing.There has been speculation that President Bush might pardon Libby but the White House has said it will not intervene while the legal process is ongoing.
Libby, who has always maintained his innocence, argued that his long history of public service should be taken into account in sentencing him.Libby, who has always maintained his innocence, argued that his long history of public service should be taken into account in sentencing him.
He is the highest-ranking White House official convicted in a government scandal since the Iran-Contra affair in the mid-1980s, when Ronald Reagan was president.He is the highest-ranking White House official convicted in a government scandal since the Iran-Contra affair in the mid-1980s, when Ronald Reagan was president.
Ms Plame's identity as an undercover CIA agent was revealed in 2003 after her husband - a former ambassador - openly criticised the Bush administration's case for war with Iraq.Ms Plame's identity as an undercover CIA agent was revealed in 2003 after her husband - a former ambassador - openly criticised the Bush administration's case for war with Iraq.
Libby was convicted of lying to FBI investigators and the grand jury about how and when he learned that Ms Plame was a CIA officer, and lying about disclosing classified information to reporters.Libby was convicted of lying to FBI investigators and the grand jury about how and when he learned that Ms Plame was a CIA officer, and lying about disclosing classified information to reporters.