CIA leak inquiry in final stretch

By Justin Webb
BBC News, Washington

White House aide Karl Rove testified before a grand jury

The long-running inquiry into the leaking by the White House of the identity of a serving CIA officer is due to finish this week.

Washington is awash with speculation about the possibility that senior White House staff may face criminal charges.

Signs that charges are on the way could come early in the week, if warning letters are sent to individuals in advance of a formal indictment.

Two senior White House aides face allegations of criminal misconduct.

Foul play

The special prosecutor, Patrick Fitzgerald, has the power to deal a crushing blow to President George Bush by linking two of his most senior advisers to allegations of criminal misconduct, allegations which would force them to resign.

Lawyers for Karl Rove, the president's closest political aide, and Lewis Libby, the vice-president's chief of staff, say their clients have done nothing wrong.

But both men are considered by those who have followed the case closely to be at risk of charges for perjury or obstruction of justice.

Mr Fitzgerald's inquiry has been focused on whether there was an illegal effort at the White House to undermine the credibility of a former US ambassador, Joe Wilson, who became a critic of the administration's Iraq policy.

That effort was alleged to include the intentional leaking of the fact that Mr Wilson's wife, Valerie Plame, worked for the CIA.