WASHINGTON — Former top White House aide I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby was banned Thursday from practicing law in the nation’s capital following his perjury conviction in the case of a CIA operatives leaked identity. The disbarment order of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals had been expected.
“When a member of the bar is convicted of an offense involving moral turpitude, disbarment is mandatory,” the appeals court ruled.
Last May, a court panel that oversees lawyer ethics recommended that Libby be stripped of his law license in Washington. The Board on Professional Responsibility then found that Libby’s conviction for lying to the FBI about the case of former CIA operative Valerie Plame amounted to “crimes that involve moral turpitude.”
“This action is required by the rules following a conviction regardless of the merits of the case, and for that reason Mr. Libby expected and did not oppose the court’s order,” said Libby attorney William Jeffress.
Libby, the former chief of staff to Vice President **** Cheney, was first licensed to work as a lawyer in Washington in 1978. His membership with the D.C. bar also was suspended for failing to pay his dues, records show.
Thursday’s appeals court ruling also noted that “neither bar counsel nor respondent has taken exception to the board’s report and recommendation.”
Libby was the only person to face criminal charges in the case of the 2003 leak of Plame’s identity. Plame has since left the CIA and contends the White House was trying to discredit her husband, a critic of President Bush’s Iraq policy.
Last July, Bush commuted Libby’s 2 1/2-year sentence, sparing him from serving any prison time after being convicted of perjury and obstructing justice. Libby dropped appeals to have his convictions overturned. He has paid a $250,000 fine and remains on two years probation.
Tags: Bar Counsel, Cia Operative Valerie Plame, Lawyer Ethics
This is what happens when you commit a political crime
It’s BS… he was a fall guy. Clinton was disbarred too.
Sounds like a Democrat president who got disbar for perjury in a sexual harassment trail.
He should be disbarred, and he should have gone to prison, just like any other American citizen.
poor Scooter…when the bush admistration wants you out..they really get you out! A classic fall guy. Tragic but very entertaining. With that name he should never been in any position of power..Cmon..Scooter?
This is terrible! Libby deserves to be reinstated and his conviction purged. Scooter Libby is one of the greatest Americans alive. Can anything be done to help Mr. Libby regain his legitimate place in US history?
He never had a pastor say mean things so he is all right with me.
I heard that earlier, I say WOOHOO! If perjury is good enough to yank Clinton’s law license then it’s good enough for ole Scooter Libby too.
Should have been disemboweled instead of disbarred.
Yes, he’s disbarred just like the Corrupt Bill Clinton.
Didn’t hurt Clinton. He’s made almost a 100 Million dollars, since being disbarred.
apeaarantly justice is blind but bush can whisper in her ear. I think Hes adapted his life already and his right to practice wont matter anyway. He got a slap on the wrist and being disbarred is a humiliation he deserves. I hope he screws up again. id love to see him in jail. and watch bush take the heat for that stupid act too. someone ought to do some real damage to cheney too. hes a scumbag.
He deserves prison.
Regardless of the reasons why, one less lawyer called “Scooter” can only be a good thing.
ROFLMAO at Chai’s answer.
He, and others, should have been in jail for participating in the outing of a CIA agent.
Cool. But I think he should have become somebody “buddy” in prison.