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WASHINGTON, May 22, 2006 (UPI via COMTEX) -- The U.S. Supreme Court may be delaying action on reporters' privilege cases involving scientist Wen Ho Lee because of possible settlements.
Scotusblog reports Lee's lawyer notified the court last week he was discussing a settlement of a lawsuit against the government with the Justice Department. On Monday, the court took no action on reporters' claims of a right not to reveal sources, although the justices could take up the question on Thursday.
Four reporters were found to be in contempt of court when they refused to reveal their sources for stories on a government security investigation of Lee, who had been a scientist at the Los Alamos Nuclear Laboratory. Lee, after being charged with numerous counts of illegal downloading of classified material, pleaded guilty to one count and was sentenced to time served.
Lee's civil lawsuit claims that the government violated the Privacy Act by leaking details of the investigation to the news media.
URL: www.upi.com Copyright 2006 by United Press International
