Libby Gets 30-Month Sentence
Former White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby has been sentenced to 30 months in prison and fined $250,000 for lying to a grand jury and FBI agents.
U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton scheduled a hearing for next week to determine whether Libby may remain free pending appeal, the Washington Post reports. That was a surprise to court watchers who say white-collar criminals are frequently released while they appeal.
Walton said he was sentencing Libby with a sense of sadness. “Evidence in this case overwhelmingly indicated Mr. Libby’s culpability,” he said. It is important to demand a lot from those who serve in government, the judge said.
“Mr. Libby failed to meet the bar,” the judge continued. “For whatever reason, he got off course.”
Libby was convicted for lying about what he told reporters regarding CIA agent Valerie Wilson, whose identity was leaked to reporters. He was the former chief of staff for Vice President Dick Cheney.
