Briefly

WASHINGTON, D.C.

White House lawyer questioned in CIA leak

The White House’s top lawyer was questioned by a federal grand jury Friday in the criminal investigation of who in the Bush administration leaked the name of a covert CIA operative last year.

White House counsel Alberto Gonzales underwent questioning at the federal courthouse. He was the latest in a string of administration officials to be asked about the unauthorized disclosure of the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame, wife of former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, to the news media.

“The president directed the White House to cooperate fully, and Judge Gonzales was just doing his part to cooperate,” said White House press secretary Scott McClellan, who also has gone before the grand jury.

Connecticut

Governor must testify for impeachment panel

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled Friday that Gov. John G. Rowland must testify before a committee considering his impeachment, making him the first sitting chief executive in U.S. history ordered to appear before a legislative body.

In a 5-2 ruling, the court upheld an earlier decision by a lower court judge, dismissing the governor’s arguments that the Legislature was intruding on the separation of powers among branches of government by ordering him to testify.

Rowland is under investigation for accepting gifts from friends, state contractors and employees. He is also the subject of a parallel federal corruption investigation.

The three-term Republican has said he provided nothing in return for the gifts and has not compromised his office.

Lawmakers said if Rowland ignores the subpoena and decides not to testify, they will not compel him to appear.