Libby Trial: Immunized WH Ex-Flack to TestifyFormer White House spokesman Ari Fleischer is set to testify today in the Scooter Libby leak trial, under a grant of immunity from special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald. He’s the first — and could be the only — witness to testify under immunity.
“He is likely to turn out to be the most important witness to date,” writes National Journal investigative reporter and professional Plameologist Murray Waas, “not in terms of whether the legal case against Libby is strong or not— but rather in providing us with new information as to what went on inside the Whte House during the crucial time that Bush administration officials leaked to the press that Valerie Plame was a CIA officer.”
Fleischer is expected to testify about a July 7, 2003, lunch he had with Libby, in which the former Cheney chief of staff told him that Valerie Plame, wife of Ambassador Joe Wilson, worked for the CIA. Prosecutors believe Fleischer later told members of the White House press corps about Plame’s identity.
And here’s some Libby trial trivia for you: both Fleischer and Libby are Miami Dolphins fans.