The New York Sun reports that Joseph Wilson IV is hinting he may file a civil suit against Karl Rove in the wake of Patrick Fitzgerald's notification that he will not pursue criminal charges against the White House aide.

Ms. Plame's husband, Joseph Wilson IV, who has alleged that his wife was exposed by White House officials in an act of political retaliation for his criticism of the Bush administration, hinted that he is considering filing a civil lawsuit against Mr. Rove and other officials.

"While it appears that Mr. Rove will not be called to answer in criminal court for his participation in the wrongful disclosure of Valerie Wilson's classified employment status at the CIA in retaliation against Joe Wilson for questioning the rationale for war in Iraq, that obviously does not end the matter," a lawyer for Mr. Wilson, Christopher Wolf, said in a statement. "The day may still come when Mr. Rove and others are called to account in a court of law for their attacks on the Wilsons."

I think this is just bluster. Wilson would have to be really dumb to expose himself and his wife to the rigors of discovery in a civil action. I have always wondered how two civil servants were able to afford an expensive home in one of Washington's finest neighborhoods, for example. Wilson has gotten kid glove treatment from the press. He may just be stupid enough to expose himself to an adversary equipped with subpoena power.

Hat tip: Ed Lasky

Thomas Lifson   6 14 06