Mr. Wilson and critics of the Bush administration have asserted that administration officials leaked his wife's name as political payback.

Mr. Bush was asked in June 2004 whether he would fire anyone who leaked Ms. Wilson's name.

The House intelligence congressional committee leaked his name to the press.

The ensuing investigation has centered on who leaked her name to Novak.

The reporters were served with subpoenas to appear before a grand jury to identify the individual who leaked Bonds' name to them.

Ms. Wilson's identity was later made public, leading to an investigation into whether administration officials had leaked her name.

Lee filed a lawsuit to gain the names of public officials who had leaked his name to journalists before charges had been filed against him.

On the other, no one has been charged with the crime of leaking her name.

"The act of leaking my wife's name was clearly a political act," he says.

Precisely who leaked Khan's name, and why, was controversial.