WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Around the time a probe was launched over the leak of a covert CIA operative, the top aide to Vice President Dick Cheney told a White House lawyer, "I didn't do it," the attorney testified Tuesday.

David Addington, then Cheney's legal counsel, said he didn't ask I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby to explain his comment.

Libby made the comment to Addington during a September 2003 meeting, according to Addington's testimony. Addington succeeded Libby as Cheney's chief of staff when the latter was indicted and resigned in 2005.

Addington said he advised Libby that discussions between them were not necessarily privileged, and Libby responded, "Thanks, but I didn't do it."

Libby is accused of lying to a grand jury and to FBI agents when he told them that he learned of Wilson's identity from reporters.

Libby is not charged with leaking the operative's name or CIA connection.

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