Former White House aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison today for lying and obstructing justice in the investigation of the Valerie Plame case.
From Breitbart.com:
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President Dick Cheney, stood calmly before a packed courtroom as a federal judge said the evidence overwhelmingly proved his guilt.
"People who occupy these types of positions, where they have the welfare and security of nation in their hands, have a special obligation to not do anything that might create a problem," U.S. District Judge Reggie B. Walton said.
Libby was convicted in March of lying and obstructing an investigation into the 2003 leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity.
The highest-ranking White House official convicted in a government scandal since the Iran-Contra affair, Libby has steadfastly maintained his innocence.
"It is respectfully my hope that the court will consider, along with the jury verdict, my whole life," Libby said in brief remarks to the judge.
Walton fined Libby $250,000 and placed him on probation for two years following his release from prison. Walton did not immediately address whether Libby could remain free pending appeal.
Scooter Libby gets jail time.
Bill Clinton got a slap on the wrist.
I'm not saying that Scooter shouldn't have gotten jail time. I am saying that this is political and a double standard that exists. Perjury is perjury is perjury. You're not allowed to lie in sworn testimony. Period. It doesn't matter what the investigation is. If you swear you're going to give truthful and honest testimony before a Grand Jury or in a court of law--and you don't--that's a crime.
The double standard disgusts me. It really does.
William Smith
ConservativeBlogger.com
