Gov't asks court not to block records
WASHINGTON - The Justice Department on Saturday asked the Supreme Court to refrain from stepping into another First Amendment battle featuring federal prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald and The New York Times.
The case involves a leak probe by Fitzgerald to track down the confidential sources of Times reporters Judith Miller and Philip Shenon for stories in 2001. Miller, who spent 85 days in jail in 2005 in connection with Fitzgerald's separate CIA leak probe in the Valerie Plame case, retired from the newspaper a year ago.In the current case, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has said prosecutors can see the journalists' phone records. Earlier, a federal judge had ruled in the newspaper's favor, saying the First Amendment supplied a qualified privilege to reporters to protect confidential sources.
On Friday, the newspaper asked Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to temporarily block the government from going through the records and said it was prepared to file a petition by Dec. 24 asking the court to take up the case.
In a filing requested by Ginsburg, the government cites a declaration by Fitzgerald on Nov. 13 that says the time for filing criminal charges will expire in the next three weeks.
Temporarily blocking the government from reviewing the phone records would cause "irreparable harm to a significant criminal investigation," the Justice Department told the Supreme Court in a 40-page filing.
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2 comments:
Dump the Gnome Miller or send her with the little old soldier. Now as for that handsome sweet little angel Patrick doesn't he look as cute as a button. You could just pinch those cheeks and give him hugs and kisses. Ok I'm finished now.
The Supreme Court now has the eavesdropping matter and the illegal laws that Bush has had the Congress rubber stamp. It will be interesting to hear how Judy has constitutional rights as Americans don't. Plus as this was reviewed and it turns out Judy went to jail to cover for oh yes Libby who was charged with lying. Let's see if any Supreme Court Justice is willing to hang him/herself in behalf of the White House.
I know the Republicans wish they could change the past because their evil actions are now their down fall.
Fitz won
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