Bush special counsel faces some jail time

[March 10, 2011]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- A judge is telling the former government whistle-blower protector that he can't protect himself from serving at least a month in jail.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Deborah Robinson ruled late Wednesday that President George W. Bush's former special counsel, Scott Bloch, cannot withdraw his guilty plea to withholding information from Congress. Bloch argued that he and prosecutors thought he could serve just probation after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor 10 months ago. After the judge said the law required imprisonment for the crime, prosecutors said they were willing to negotiate another deal to avoid Bloch's incarceration. But Robinson noted that Bloch had told her at the time he pleaded that he understood he couldn't withdraw it if the sentence was more severe than he expected. Sentencing is scheduled for Thursday. [Associated Press; By NEDRA PICKLER] Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.