Lewis “Scooter” Libby has been found guilty by a Washington jury on four of the five counts of perjury and obstruction of justice. Libby is Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, and resigned in 2005 after being indicted for his role in leaking the name of a CIA agent, Valerie Plame, that was then printed in a nationally syndicated column. Plame’s name was leaked in retaliation for a newspaper opinion piece written by her husband that criticized the Bush administration’s justification for going to war.

Libby was acquitted on one charge of perjury, but convicted on two charges of discussions with reporters, deceiving a grand jury, and making a false statement to the FBI. He now faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $1 million. Defense Attorney Ted Wells told the press that Libby will request a new trial, and should that be denied, will file an appeal.

Hopefully we can move up the chain of command now instead of celebrating over a fall guy. Please, no one remind Bush of the presidential pardon.

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