The Mission
The Joseph and Valerie Wilson Legal Support Trust was established to assist in the financing of the substantial legal costs associated the civil suit filed in July 2006 as a result of the illegal leaking of Mrs. Wilson’s classified CIA status.
Reasons for filing the suit are threefold: to uncover the truth about the leak, which is even more urgent after the Vice President and Scooter Libby failed to testify at Libby’s trial; to ensure that all relevant public officials are held accountable for their actions, which deprived two American citizens of their privacy and Constitutional rights; and to serve as a deterrent to similar crimes being committed in the future.
Should the civil action result in a settlement to Joe and/or Valerie Wilson that is in excess of all costs associated with the case, monies equal to what had been contributed will be returned to the Wilson Trust for distribution to other charitable organization(s) working to protect First Amendment rights and defend whistleblowers from retaliatory action.
STATEMENT ON AMBASSADOR JOSEPH AND VALERIE WILSONS' APPEAL
On July 20th, on behalf of Joe and Valerie Wilson, Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington filed a notice to appeal from yesterday’s district court’s decision dismissing their lawsuit. Having had the opportunity to review Judge Bates’ decision, the Wilsons and their legal team have concluded that there are ample grounds for appeal and have taken the steps necessary to seek review by a higher court. The Wilsons believe that this case presents important issues regarding the abuse of government power for political ends and will continue to aggressively pursue all legal remedies.MELANIE SLOAN, LEGAL COUNSEL FOR JOE AND VALERIE WILSON, RESPONDS TO DISMISSAL OF CIVIL SUIT
Washington, DC -- Earlier today, District of Columbia District Court Judge John D. Bates dismissed Joe and Valerie Wilsons' civil suit against Vice President Dick Cheney, presidential aide Karl Rove, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby and Richard Armitage. While Judge Bates recognized that the Wilsons' claims "pose important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials," he dismissed their suit on a threshold legal issue: that there is no constitutional remedy available to them.While the Wilsons' lawyers are reviewing the decision, they anticipate filing an appeal. Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington ("CREW"), one of the Wilsons' lawyers, said today, "While we are obviously very disappointed by today’s decision, we have always expected that this case would ultimately be decided by a higher court." Sloan continued, "We disagree with the court's holding and intend to pursue this case vigorously to protect all Americans from vindictive government officials who abuse their power for their own political ends."
Statement of Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, IV (ret.) To the House Committee on the Judiciary
Mr. Chairman, Mr. Ranking member, members of the Committee,Thank you for the invitation to appear before you at this hearing on the possible abuse of Presidential authority in the commutation of I. Lewis Libby, convicted on four counts of lying to federal investigators, perjury and obstruction of justice. I am not a lawyer, but I have understandably followed this case closely. This matter, after all, involves the betrayal of our national security, specifically the leaking of the identity of a covert officer of the Central Intelligence Agency, my wife, Valerie Wilson, as a vicious means of political retribution.
AMBASSADOR JOSEPH C. WILSON’S RESPONSE TO BUSH SPOKESMAN TONY SNOW’S COMMENTS AT JULY 3 WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING
To claim that leaking the identity of a covert operative is simply part of the "Washington culture" suggests a deep disdain for those patriots who risk their lives to protect our national security. Mr. Snow's comment was insulting not just to Valerie Wilson, but to all covert operatives who believe that in return for their sacrifices, our government will do everything it can to protect them. A genuine and sincere apology from the White House -- not just to Mrs. Wilson, but the entire intelligence community -- is long overdue.The president is now implicated in an ongoing cover-up and obstruction of justice, there remains, according to special counsel Fitzgerald, a cloud over the Vice President and Libby is a four time convicted liar, perjurer, and obstructor of justice. The administration once again, regrettably, attacks others rather than accepts responsibility for their actions and crimes. The American people know better. We know the difference between right and wrong even if the president, the vice president and their spokesmen do not.
MELANIE SLOAN, LEGAL COUNSEL FOR JOE AND VALERIE WILSON, RESPONDS TO BUSH DECISION TO COMMUTE LIBBY SENTENCE
Melanie Sloan, legal counsel to Joe and Valerie Wilson in their civil suit against Vice President Dick Cheney, Karl Rove, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby and Richard Armitage, released the following statement today in response to President Bush’s decision to commute Mr. Libby’s sentence.“First, President Bush said any person who leaked would no longer work in his administration. Nonetheless, Scooter Libby didn’t leave office until he was indicted and Karl Rove works in the White House even today. More recently, the vice president ignored an executive order protecting classified information, claiming he isn’t really part of the executive branch.
Update on Joe and Valerie Wilson’s Suit Against Top Government Officials
On May 17, 2007, U.S. District Judge John D. Bates heard oral arguments on Defendants' Cheney, Libby, Rove and Armitage’s motions to dismiss Joe and Valerie Wilson's complaint against them, as well as the motion to dismiss filed by the United States. The defendants’ arguments centered around their claim that each defendant is entitled to immunity from suit, because when they put into place their scheme to deliberately retaliate against Joe Wilson by revealing Valerie Wilson's status as a covert CIA operative, the law was not clearly established that doing so violated the Wilsons' constitutional rights. They also argued that the Wilsons’ constitutional claims, brought under the First and Fifth Amendments, are not viable. The United States argued that it should be substituted for the common law tort claims against the individual defendants for publicly disclosing private facts, because each of the defendants was acting within the scope of his employment when he revealed, or caused to be revealed, Valerie Wilson's status as a covert CIA operative. Erwin Chemerinsky, a Duke University law professor representing the Wilsons told the court, “This isn't a case where the government said mean things about Mr. Wilson. This is about revealing the secret status of his wife to punish Mr. Wilson. In the end, this is egregious conduct that ruined a woman's career and put a family in danger.” The Wilsons are now awaiting Judge Bate’s decision on the defendants’ motions. It is not expected before the end of the summer.COURT SCHEDULES ORAL ARGUMENTS IN WILSON CASE
On May 17, 2007, Judge John D. Bates will hear oral argument on the defendants' motions to dismiss Joe and Valerie Wilson's complaint against Bush administration officials, as well as the motion to dismiss filed by the United States. Defendants Cheney, Libby, Rove and Armitage have all claimed that they are entitled to immunity from suit, because when they put into place their scheme to deliberately retaliate against Joe Wilson by revealing Valerie Wilson's status as a covert CIA operative, the law was not clearly established that doing so violated the Wilsons' constitutional rights. They have also argued that each of the constitutional claims, brought under the First and Fifth Amendments, does not state a cognizable claim. The United States has argued that it should be substituted for the common law tort claims against the individual defendants for publicly disclosing private facts, because each of the defendants was acting within the scope of his employment when he revealed, or caused to be revealed, Valerie Wilson's status as a covert CIA operative. The court has given each side 60 minutes in which to present argument.Watch Valerie Wilson's Opening Statement to House Oversight Committee
For the transcript of Valerie's opening statement, click here.
WILSONS' ATTORNEY STATEMENT IN RESPONSE TO JURY’S VERDICT IN U.S. V. I. LEWIS “SCOOTER” LIBBY
March 6, 2007
Washington, DC – First, Valerie and Joseph Wilson would like to express their appreciation to Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald and the entire team of federal prosecutors for their professionalism and hard work. Their prosecution of a senior White House official illustrates that we are a nation of laws and that no man is above the law. The Wilsons respect the jury’s verdict and thank the jurors for their service. The entire Wilson team is pleased by today’s verdict and believes that justice has been served in this case.
The Wilsons will continue to pursue the civil case against Vice President Cheney, Mr. Libby, Mr. Rove and Mr. Armitage because it hinges on additional and different facts from those underlying the criminal case. The criminal trial was about whether or not Mr. Libby obstructed justice and committed perjury by lying to FBI agents and the grand jury about the fact that he had disclosed to reporters that Valerie Wilson worked for the CIA. The civil suit, on the other hand, hinges on whether or not the defendants violated the constitutional rights of Valerie and Joe Wilson by making those disclosures in a concerted effort to retaliate against Joe Wilson for revealing the falsity of the president’s rationale for the Iraq war.
WILSON TELE-NEWS CONFERENCE ON VERDICT IN LIBBY CRIMINAL TRIAL
Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, plaintiff in a civil lawsuit against Vice President Dick Cheney, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, Karl Rove and Richard Armitage, held a tele-news conference on March 6, 2007, to discuss the verdict in Mr. Libby's criminal trial as well as the Wilsons' civil suit. Ambassador Wilson was joined by Melanie Sloan, executive director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and Anne Weismann, CREW chief counsel, lead counsel to Joe and Valerie Wilson in their civil suit.Listen to a clip of the tele-news conference (1.0 MB), or download the full conference (25.3 MB mp3).
A LETTER TO OUR SUPPORTERS
January 31, 2007
Dear Friends and Supporters:
The midterm elections have passed, and Americans nationwide have seized the opportunity to make their voices heard. The message sent to all our government officials is loud and clear: You cannot act with impunity and you will be held accountable for your actions.
Accountability is a critical element of our democracy and it has been the essence of our civil action against Vice President Cheney, Karl Rove, Scooter Libby, and Richard Armitage. We continue to believe that all Americans want those who threaten our national security and violate the very rights that they are charged with upholding to be subject to public inquiry and legal consequences for their misconduct. This is why we feel it is imperative that we continue with the lawsuit.
New Website Compiles Libby Trial Blogs
U.S. District Court in Washington, DC has provided the Media Bloggers Association (MBA) with credentials for two media seats to cover the trial of Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby. The MBA, a nonpartisan group with about 1,000 members working to extend the powers of the press to bloggers, is allocating its two credentials to its members on a rotating basis. It marks the first time bloggers have received media credentials in a U.S. federal court.
The MBA has created a site to compile the posts of its members who are covering the trial. The site updates in real time, with the latest news from inside the courthouse and in-depth analysis. To view the newest posts on the MBA site click here.
FireDogLake.com is also live-blogging the trial. You can read the latest coverage here.
Wilson Legal Filings
01/25/07: Judicial Watch Amicus Brief
01/16/07: Wilsons' Opposition to Defendants' Motion to Dismiss
12/20/06: Motion to Quash Subpoena for Ambassador Wilson's Testimony in US v. Libby Criminal Case
12/13/06: Ambassador Wilson Subpoena in US v. Libby Criminal Case
09/13/06: Amended Complaint - Richard Armitage Added to Wilson Civil Suit
UPDATE ON THE WILSONS’ LAWSUIT
The Defendants File Motions to Dismiss -- On November 14, 2006, in response to Joe and Valerie Wilsons' lawsuit, Vice President Richard Cheney, the vice-president's former chief of staff, I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove and former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage all filed motions to dismiss the claims against them.Their Service
Ambassador Joseph Wilson and his wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, have served our country for over a combined 43 years. Valerie Plame joined the Central Intelligence Agency at the age of 22, and it has been widely reported that she worked undercover on several overseas assignments in areas related to counterterrorism and on counterproliferation of weapons of mass destruction.Ambassador Wilson was a member of the Foreign Service from 1976 through 1998. He was the acting Ambassador to Baghdad when Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990 and is credited with negotiating the release of several hundred American hostages during “Desert Shield.” Mr. Wilson later served as U.S. Ambassador to Gabon and São Tomé and Príncipe under President George H.W. Bush and helped direct Africa policy for the National Security Council under President Bill Clinton. In February 2002, he investigated reports of Iraq’s attempt to buy uranium from Niger.
The Leak
In July 2003, Ambassador Wilson spoke out against the Bush Administration’s false claim that Iraq had sought nuclear material in Africa, which had been a primary justification for going to war with Iraq. To punish and discredit Wilson and intimidate others who might come forward, senior Bush administration officials leaked to reporters the name of Wilson’s wife, Valerie Plame Wilson, and her classified CIA status – destroying her career and jeopardizing national security.
Following the leak, the CIA requested that the Justice Department conduct an investigation into whether the White House violated federal laws by revealing the identity of one of its undercover employees in retaliation against Ambassador Wilson. The Justice Department responded with the appointment of a special counsel, Patrick Fitzgerald. Evidence collected by Mr. Fitzgerald has shown that at least two Bush administration officials, Karl Rove and Lewis “Scooter” Libby, Jr., discussed Mrs. Wilson’s employment at the CIA with reporters. Last October, a grand jury indicted Mr. Libby, former Chief of Staff and assistant for National Security Affairs to U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, on charges of obstruction of justice, perjury and making false statements. His trial is set to begin in 2007. In preparation for that trial, Mr. Libby has released a list of potential witnesses that includes Ambassador and Mrs. Wilson.