News of Scooter Libby’s guilty verdict has brought in $70,000 in Internet contributions in a week. Wealthy supporters like publisher Steve Forbes and lobbyist Wayne Berman plan to raise much more; actor Fred Thompson plans a Washington fundraiser that may bring in more than $100,000.
Libby's bills, including an expected appeal, will run into the millions, defense lawyers say. Three top criminal lawyers are spearheading his defense. Lead attorney Ted Wells charges about $800 an hour.
``You would have to be an extraordinarily wealthy person for an ordeal like this not to ruin you financially,'' said Bradford Berenson, a white-collar crime specialist at the Sidley Austin law firm in Washington and a former White House lawyer for President George W. Bush. ``An overall estimate of $10 million for this whole mess is not unreasonable.''
Though he spent almost five years working in the White House, Libby, 56, is still wealthy from his days as a private attorney. A federal ethics form he filed in 2005 after his indictment and resignation shows his investments valued somewhere between $6 million and $18.5 million. The form, which only gives broad ranges, didn't include assets such as homes.
Legal Bills
Libby's only debt at the end of 2005 was for legal bills of between $15,000 and $50,000 to the Dechert law firm. He had been a partner there before joining the administration in 2001 and was represented by its lawyers early in the probe by Fitzgerald.
The Libby Legal Defense Trust has raised $4 million to date. The fund is headed by Melvin Sembler, a Florida developer and former ambassador to Italy under Bush. Sembler declined to be interviewed for this article.
Libby's bills, including an expected appeal, will run into the millions, defense lawyers say. Three top criminal lawyers are spearheading his defense. Lead attorney Ted Wells charges about $800 an hour.
``You would have to be an extraordinarily wealthy person for an ordeal like this not to ruin you financially,'' said Bradford Berenson, a white-collar crime specialist at the Sidley Austin law firm in Washington and a former White House lawyer for President George W. Bush. ``An overall estimate of $10 million for this whole mess is not unreasonable.''
Though he spent almost five years working in the White House, Libby, 56, is still wealthy from his days as a private attorney. A federal ethics form he filed in 2005 after his indictment and resignation shows his investments valued somewhere between $6 million and $18.5 million. The form, which only gives broad ranges, didn't include assets such as homes.
Legal Bills
Libby's only debt at the end of 2005 was for legal bills of between $15,000 and $50,000 to the Dechert law firm. He had been a partner there before joining the administration in 2001 and was represented by its lawyers early in the probe by Fitzgerald.
The Libby Legal Defense Trust has raised $4 million to date. The fund is headed by Melvin Sembler, a Florida developer and former ambassador to Italy under Bush. Sembler declined to be interviewed for this article.
And this is not mentioning the amount of attorney fees for the Wilsons' civil lawsuit case...
2 comments:
That's nice he has people with money who feel sorry for him.
Yeah, but they are using the little soldier for their own personal agenda. Certainly many of Libby's buddies are not helping him from the kindness of their hearts. Even the Law and Order actor is putting his name in the hat for the run in 2008.
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