If this is true (and I'll admit who really knows) then this is going to be big!

John Hannah is a senior aid to both Bolton and VP Dick Cheney, and he was named by Joe Wilson in his book; I believe he was mentioned when I saw Mr. Wilson speak at the College of Charleston (I'll try and check).

Individuals familiar with Fitzgerald's case tell RAW STORY that John Hannah, a senior national security aide on loan to Vice President Dick Cheney from the offices of then-Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs, John Bolton, was named as a target of Fitzgerald's probe. They say he was told in recent weeks that he could face imminent indictment for his role in leaking Plame-Wilson's name to reporters unless he cooperated with the investigation.

Others close to the probe say that if Hannah is cooperating with the special prosecutor then he was likely going to be charged as a co-conspirator and may have cut a deal.

It looks like Fitzgerald is going by the book and starting at the bottom, shaking down White House and administration staffers for cooperation in exchange for immunity. If true Hannah is the first officially targeted with more to come.

[UPDATE]
via pontificator at dKos who is also on the story...

Other news outlets, such as the New York Daily News, are following the story as well:

Cheney's name has come up amid indications Fitzgerald may be edging closer to a blockbuster conspiracy charge - with help from a secret snitch.

"They have got a senior cooperating witness - someone who is giving them all of that," a source who has been questioned in the leak probe told the Daily News yesterday.

Incidentally, this is what happens in any major federal prosecution -- the people at the bottom are flipped so that the people at the top (who usually try not to leave fingerprints), can be prosecuted. The only thing unusual here is the target is not the Mafia or Enron, but is rather the White House.

Go get 'em Pat!!!

[UPDATE - 2] From Mr. Johnson via Atrios... and so on...

Had lunch today with a person who has a direct tie to one of the folks facing indictment in the Plame affair. There are 22 files that Fitzgerald is looking at for potential indictment . These include Stephen Hadley, Karl Rove, Lewis Libby, Dick Cheney, and Mary Matalin (there are others of course). Hadley has told friends he expects to be indicted. No wonder folks are nervous at the White House.

Posted by Geoff