McClellan doesn't know if crimes committed

WASHINGTON, June 20 (UPI) -- A former Bush administration spokesman told a U.S. congressional committee he doesn't know if a crime was committed when Valerie Plame's identity was leaked.

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan, has written "What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington's Culture of Deception," in which he discusses several issues the White house faced, including the disclosure of the name of Plame as a CIA operative.

McClellan told the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee he doesn't know if U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney was involved in leaking the information that Plame was a CIA agent.

"I do not know whether a crime was committed by any of the administration officials who revealed Valerie Plame's identity to reporters, nor do I know if there was an attempt by any person or persons to engage in a cover-up during the investigation," he said. "I do know that it was wrong to reveal her identity because it compromised the effectiveness of a covert official for political reasons."

U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, compared McClellan to Judas, suggesting he had sold out Bush for "a few pieces of silver."

A more recent Bush spokesman, Tony Fratto, told reporters on Air Force One that the administration isn't concerned about McClellan's testimony.

"I think Scott has probably told everyone everything he doesn't know, so I don't know if anyone should expect them to see anything new today," he said.