Leak Probe Expands

An article in the Wall Street Journal suggests that special prosector Patrick Fitzgerald may be widening the scope of his investigation. He's probing the leak of Valerie Plame's identiy as a covert CIA agent. The leak came from inside the White House.

Speculation has centered on White House chief advisor Karl Rove and Vice President Cheney's chief of staff, "Scooter" Libby. But the Journal suggests the probe is turning toward something called "the White House Iraq Group."

It was formed in August, 2002. Mr Rove and Mr Libby were on it. They were coming up with the strategy to sell the Iraq War to the general public months before the invasion. That happened in March, 2003.

Leaking Ms Plame's identity is argued to be a reprisal for her husband being critical of an administration claim that Iraq was trying to get uranium from Niger. Mr Wilson went to Niger and later reported the claim was false. Right after that, his wife's role as a CIA operative showed up in Robert Novak's newspaper column -- leaked by the White House.

The Grand Jury wraps up October 28. Indictments -- if there are any -- could come as early as next week. (Wall Street Journal)