Bush spares Libby from 2 1/2-year prison term
President leaves fine, probation intact for convicted ex-White House aide
MSNBC political calendar

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19570081/

JULY 2007


BREAKING NEWS

Updated: 6 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - President Bush commuted the sentence of former aide I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby Monday, sparing him from a 2 1/2-year prison term in the CIA leak case.

Bush left intact a $250,000 fine and two years probation for Libby, according to a senior White House official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision had not been announced.

"My decision to commute his prison sentence leaves in place a harsh punishment for Mr. Libby. The reputation he gained through his years of public service and professional work in the legal community is forever damaged," Bush said in a statement. "I respect the jury's verdict. But I have concluded that the prison sentence given to Mr. Libby is excessive