[R-G] Bush Commutes Libby Prison Sentence

[Tim Murphy]

WASHINGTON (AP)
Jul 2, 6:10 PM (ET)


Bush Commutes Libby Prison Sentence
 
By 

MATT APUZZO
 
 
WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush commuted the sentence of former White House
aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby on Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year
prison term that Bush said was excessive. Bush's move came hours after a
federal appeals panel ruled Libby could not delay his prison term in the CIA
leak case.

That meant Libby was likely to have to report to prison soon and put new
pressure on the president, who had been sidestepping calls by Libby's allies
to pardon the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney.

"I respect the jury's verdict," Bush said in a statement. "But I have
concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive.
Therefore, I am commuting the portion of Mr. Libby's sentence that required
him to spend thirty months in prison."

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, and Bush
said his action still "leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby."

Libby was convicted in March of lying to authorities and obstructing the
investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative's identity. He was the
highest-ranking White House official ordered to prison since the Iran-Contra
affair.

Bush said of Cheney's former aide: "The reputation he gained through his
years of public service and professional work in the legal community is
forever damaged. His wife and young children have also suffered immensely.
He will remain on probation. The significant fines imposed by the judge will
remain in effect. The consequences of his felony conviction on his former
life as a lawyer, public servant, and private citizen will be long-lasting."


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http://apnews.myway.com/article/20070702/D8Q4NGAO0.html

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