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THE TALK SHOW AMERICAN: Law Bars Patrick Fitzgerald from Issuing Report

Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Law Bars Patrick Fitzgerald from Issuing Report

The New York Times reports in Wednesday editions that sources familiar with the Leakgate investigation say that Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald has decided not to issue a final public report - a move that the Times claims heightens the "expectation that he intends to bring indictments."

But according to former Independent Counsel Joseph DiGenova, Fitzgerald's decision not to issue a report is meaningless - because the law forbids him from doing so.

Asked Sunday whether he thought the Leakgate prosecutor would issue a report on his nearly two-year-old probe, DiGenova told ABC's "This Week": "He's not legally entitled to do so. He cannot issue a public report."

Sounding disappointed, "This Week" host George Stephanopoulos insisted: "Well, [he can] if the court says he can."

Once again, DiGenova set the record straight, explaining that Fitzgerald would "have to get a very special court order which is rarely granted."

Even Democratic lawyer Richard Ben-Veniste, who was also on 'This Week," said he agreed with DiGenova that Fitzgerald cannot legally issue a report.

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