Source: Time reporter deposed in CIA leak case

From Kevin Bohn
CNN

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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald continued his investigation into the leaking of a CIA agent's name by taking sworn testimony from a Time magazine reporter Thursday, said a source close to Time Inc.

Fitzgerald deposed Time reporter Viveca Novak in her attorney's office, and left the office without making comment.

Several weeks ago, Time reported that Fitzgerald wanted to talk to Novak about conversations she had with Robert Luskin.

Luskin is the lawyer for White House Deputy Chief of Staff Karl Rove, and Novak spoke to him as part of the magazine's coverage on the leaking of the name of covert CIA operative Valerie Plame.

Fitzgerald deposed Luskin last Friday. Time and Luskin refused to answer CNN's questions about Luskin's conversation with Novak.

Rove's attorney has said Fitzgerald is still investigating his client.

The case stems from a July 14, 2003, column by Robert Novak in which he revealed Plame's identity as a CIA operative. Robert Novak, a CNN contributor, attributed the information to two senior administration officials.

Viveca Novak is no relation to Robert Novak.

Viveca Novak is cooperating with Fitzgerald's investigation, Time said. Time Inc. earlier this year turned over subpoenaed records from its reporter Matt Cooper regarding the CIA leak case.

Fitzgerald appeared before a new grand jury Wednesday, but he refused to comment on what occurred.

Lawyers involved in the case said that Fitzgerald has been probing why Rove did not initially disclose to investigators that he had a conversation with Cooper about Plame.

Rove, who first said he had only talked to syndicated columnist Robert Novak, later disclosed the conversation with Cooper after finding an e-mail he wrote to then deputy national security adviser Stephen Hadley recounting it, lawyers in the case have said.

Time magazine is owned by Time Warner, CNN's parent company.

CNN's Bob Franken and Lesa Jansen contributed to this story.