WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Associates of Vice President Dick Cheney's chief of staff, Lewis "Scooter" Libby expect Libby will be indicted Friday, the New York Times reported.
Citing lawyers in the federal investigation of the leak of the name of a CIA agent, the newspaper said Libby was likely to be indicted on a charge of making false statements to a grand jury.
The Times said President Bush's top political adviser and deputy chief of staff, Karl Rove, will not be charged Friday, but will remain under investigation. Citing people briefed officially about the case, the Times said special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald was likely to extend the term of the federal grand jury beyond its scheduled expiration on Friday.
The Los Angeles Times reported that, as of late Thursday afternoon, Rove had not been notified whether he would be indicted. The newspaper said some observers took that as a sign that Rove might avoid charges in the case, but others said Fitzgerald might be waiting until Friday to notify those being charged -- to minimizez the possibility of leaks about his intentions.
Fitzgerald has reportedly been focusing on possible perjury charges against Rove.
Citing sources, CNN reported Friday that Fitzgerald summarized his case before the grand jury Wednesday and met with the U.S. District Court's chief justice afterward.
Fitzgerald's investigation into the leak of Valerie Plame's name to reporters has gripped Washington and kept the White House tight-lipped and on edge.
Preparations for a Friday announcement were a closely held secret in Fitzgerald's office, and the Times reported a flurry of behind-the-scenes discussions left open the possibility of last-minute surprises -- possibly even new disclosures in a case that has been the subject of much speculation for the past two years.
