XXXXX DRUDGE REPORT XXXXX WED APRIL 06, 2005 19:05:28 ET XXXXX

Probe Into Leak of CIA Agent's Identity May Be Complete

The special prosecutor investigating whether Bush administration officials illegally revealed the identity of a covert CIA operative says he finished his investigation months ago -- except for questioning two reporters who have refused to testify, the WASHINGTON POST is planning to report on Thursday.

Special counsel Patrick Fitzgerald has interviewed columnist Robert Novak, who first published the name of undercover CIA officer Valerie Plame, the report suggests.

Fitzgerald is not likely to seek an indictment for the crime he originally set out to investigate -- whether a government official knowingly exposed a covert agent. Fitzgerald may instead seek to charge a government official with committing perjury by giving conflicting information to prosecutors.