Ashcroft recuses self
from leak probe

Attorney General John Ashcroft has recused himself from the Justice Department investigation into the leak of the name of a CIA employee last summer.

Deputy Attorney General James Comey announced this afternoon that Patrick Fitzgerald, U.S. attorney in Chicago, will now be in charge of the probe as a special prosecutor. Comey says he will be the acting attorney general in the case, but Fitzgerald will have the decision-making authority.

TRENDING: Report: Trump is considering forming a new political party

"For those of you who don't know him, he is a total pro," Comey said in a news conference. "I chose Mr. Fitzgerald, my friend and former colleague, based on his sterling reputation."

The investigation stems from the leaking of the name of CIA employee Valerie Plame to columnist Robert Novak last summer. Plame is the husband of former Ambassador Joseph C. Wilson, who accused the White House of leaking Plame's name to intimidate him for suggesting the Bush administration exaggerated intelligence it used in the State of the Union address in January to justify the Iraq war.

It was not made clear why Ashcroft recused himself. A Justice official told Fox News Ashcroft's decision suggests that some sensitive information has been learned in the investigation, adding that while the recusal does not mean Ashcroft has a conflict of interest, he "felt he should recuse himself."

The person who leaked the name could face up to 10 years in prison and $50,000 in fines.