Rove can be prosecuted for lying to Bush

[quaoar]

I had never heard of this law, but AP has moved a story on it:

If Rove didn’t tell Bush the truth, that theoretically could be a legal problem for the presidential aide under the federal false statement statute.

Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said the false statement law covers statements made to all members of the executive branch, including the president acting in his official capacity. In contrast, a typical false statement case involves lying to investigators or writing false information on a form to the government.

The difficulties in bringing even a typical false statement case are considerable. Simply misleading someone isn’t enough to bring a prosecution.

“If the president asks Rove, ‘Do we have anything to worry about here?’ and Rove says ‘No,’ that would not be a false statement,” said Henning. “These two men have known each other a long time, the president is not going to question Rove closely as a law enforcement agent would, and that makes all the difference.”

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-5204479,00.html

[The Night Owl]

1. The problem is that the chimp will lie for the chimp handler.

The problem is that the chimp will lie for the chimp handler, so unless there is proof that Rove lied to Bush, I don't see how he can be prosecuted for lying to Bush.

[paineinthearse]

2. Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said the false statemen

I googled "Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said the false statement law" - http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=Wayne+State+University+law+professor+Peter+Henning+said+the+false+statement+law+covers+statements+&btnG=Search+News - in NEWS and got:

What exactly did Rove tell the president?
San Diego Union Tribune, United States - 44 minutes ago
... Wayne State University law professor Peter Henning said the false statement law covers statements made to all members of the executive branch, including the ...

This piece certainly is NOT being picked up by many outlets. Get it to your local paper.