Ex-White House aide gets 30 months in prison for perjury

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Former White House aide Lewis "Scooter" Libby was sentenced Tuesday to 30 months in prison for perjury and obstruction, in a case which also put a glaring spotlight on the flawed US case for waging war against Iraq.

Libby, 56, formerly one of the most trusted aides to US Vice President Dick Cheney, was convicted in March for lying to federal investigators in a case probing whether White House officials leaked the name of CIA officer Valerie Plame.

Libby was also fined 250,000 dollars by the court on Tuesday.

In brief courtroom remarks, Libby told Judge Reggie Walton that "it is respectfully my hope that the court will consider, along with the jury verdict, my whole life" in determining an appropriate sentence.

But the tough sanction handed down was in line with the 30-to-37 month term sought by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, and was in line ...