DOJ Limits What Fitzgerald Can Reveal to Committee

By Matt Renner, T r u t h o u t

Patrick Fitzgerald has made clear the limitations of his possible testimony regarding the Valarie Plame Wilson leak-investigation set to begin in the House of Representatives on Friday.

On March 8, 2007, Henry Waxman, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform – the central investigative arm of the House – issued an invitation to Fitzgerald for a private sit-down to discuss the upcoming investigation. In a written response, Fitzgerald made clear that the Department of Justice will not permit him to discuss any non-public information with Congress.

Fitzgerald cited the fact that Libby’s case is still “pending” as an explanation of his inability to provide non-public details to the committee. Fitzgerald also pointed out in his letter to Waxman that he arrived at his conclusions after being advised by the Department of Justice.

Rep. Waxman invited Fitzgerald to participate in his committee’s investigation because, in Waxman’s words, Fitzgerald has “a singular understanding of the facts and their implications that bear directly on the issues before Congress.” There are unconfirmed reports that Waxman may have invited additional staffers from Fitzgerald’s office to testify.

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