[JURIST] US Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald [official website] announced Thursday that he was narrowing the focus of his investigation into the role of senior White House advisor Karl Rove [official profile] in the CIA leak case [JURIST news archive]. At issue now is whether Rove tried to conceal his conversation with a TIME magazine reporter a week before the CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity was revealed. The investigation originally focused on much more serious allegations, including whether Rove misrepresented his role in the case to President Bush. Rove has not been indicted [JURIST report], although the Washington Post reported on Thursday that his future in the White House may be uncertain [Washington Post report]. The inquiry into Rove appears to be wrapping up, and his lawyers says Rove is confident investigators will conclude that there was no wrongdoing. The New York Times has more.