A federal appeals court said today that Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, must go to prison while appealing his conviction for obstructing a CIA leak probe.
The three-judge panel found that Libby “has not shown that the appeal raises a substantial question” under federal law that would merit letting him remain free.
Steve Benen writes at Political Animal:
“For those who keep track of such things, Bloomberg reported, ‘The three-judge appeals panel that issued today’s order included Judges David Sentelle, nominated by President Ronald Reagan; Karen LeCraft Henderson, nominated by President George H.W. Bush, and David Tatel, nominated by President Bill Clinton.’
“In other words, for those keeping score, Libby was charged by a prosecutor appointed by a Republican administration, he was sentenced by a judge appointed by a Republican president, and his appeal was heard by two more judges appointed by Republican presidents. Naturally, this will lead Fox News and the Wall Street Journal‘s editorial page to decry the ‘partisan prosecution.â€
If Mr. President is going to pardon Mr. Libby, it will have to be soon.
More here.