Just 22 months after launching a federal investigation, the wait is over.
It’s official, Scooter Libby has been indicted. As of 12:44, CNN reported that there are at least three charges, including obstruction of justice, perjury, and making false statements.
More soon.
Update: There were a total of five charges, including one charge of obstruction of justice, two counts of perjury, and two counts of making false statements.
Update 2: More specifically, Libby’s obstruction of justice occured in Spring 2003, perjury on March 5 and 24 of 2004, and false statements on October 14 and 27 of 2003.
Update 3: In case there was any doubt, Fitzgerald said Plame was undercover and her outing was dangerous:
Prior to the July 14, 2003, Valerie Wilson’s employment status was classified. Prior to that date, her affiliation with the CIA was not common knowledge outside the intelligence community. Disclosure of classified information about an individual’s employment by the CIA has the potential to damage the national security in ways that range from preventing that individual’s future use in a covert capacity to compromising intelligence-gathering methods and operations, endangering the safety of CIA employees and those who deal with them.
Update 4: Libby has officially resigned. CNN is reporting that Libby tendered his resignation this morning, knowing that this indictment would be forthcoming, but it’s official now.
Update 5: Paul Begala just noted that this is the first time in 135 years that a senior White House official is under indictment.
Update 6: The Smoking Gun has the indictment itself posted online. So, not incidentally, has Fitzgerald’s office.
Update 7: Fitzgerald’s press release, laying out a great deal of what the grand jury learned, is now online.