New details have emerged over columnist Robert Novak’s role in the CIA leak case. According to a new report by investigative journalist Murray Waas, Novak promised White House aide Karl Rove he would protect him from being harmed by the investigation into who leaked the name of CIA operative Valerie Plame. Novak is the columnist who first exposed Plame’s identity in a newspaper column. The disclosure set off a scandal that has led to the indictment of former Vice Presidential chief of staff Lewis “Scooter” Libby.