In the highest-ranking conviction of a White House official since the Iran-Contra scandal, Lewis “Scooter” Libby has been found guilty of lying and obstructing an investigation into the outing of CIA officer Valerie Plame. On the 10th day of deliberations, a jury found Vice President Dick Cheney’s former chief of staff guilty of two counts of perjury, one count of making false statements, and one count of obstruction of justice. Libby faces a maximum of 25 years in prison. Libby’s attorney, Theodore Wells, vowed to seek a new trial.

Theodore Wells: “We believe, as we said at the time of his indictment, that he is totally innocent, totally innocent, and that he did not do anything wrong, and we intend to keep fighting to establish his innocence.”

Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald oversaw the case against Libby. He spoke after the verdict.

Patrick Fitzgerald: “The jury was obviously convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the defendant had lied and obstructed justice about a serious matter. The results are actually sad. It’s sad that we had a high-level official, a person who worked in the office of the vice president, obstructed justice and lied under oath. We wish that had not happened, but it did.”

Fitzgerald went on to say he will not seek new charges against other White House officials. Meanwhile, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called on President Bush to promise he won’t pardon Libby. White House spokesperson Dana Perino was asked about the possibility.

White House spokesperson Dana Perino: “Well I’m aware of no such request for a pardon, and as is afforded to all Americans, there is a process that is followed in which to apply for a pardon, and I don’t think that speculating on a wildly hypothetical situation at this time is appropriate.”