Libby Pays The Man

JULY 5--On the same day that President George W. Bush wiped away his 30-month prison sentence, convicted former White House aide Lewis 'Scooter' Libby purchased a $250,400 cashier's check to cover fines imposed by the federal judge whose sentence was gutted by the presidential commutation. A copy of the July 2 cashier's check (which you can find below) was docketed today in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C.. In April, a jury convicted Libby of perjury and obstruction of justice in connection with the investigation of the leak of the identity of former CIA agent Valerie Plame. Libby's Bank of America check satisifies a $250,000 fine imposed by Judge Reggie Walton and also covers an additional $400 'special assessment.' Supporters of Libby, who served as Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, stressed that while Bush's action kept Libby from a prison cell, the onerous six-figure fine was still intact. Libby secured the cashier's check on the same day that an appeals court rejected his bid to remain free on bail while appealing his felony conviction. That court ruling was cited by Bush in a statement announcing his decision to commute Libby's 'excessive' prison sentence. (1 page)