WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit by outed spy Valerie Plame and her husband against Vice President Dick Cheney and other top Bush administration officials. A judge threw out the lawsuit from ex-spy Valerie Plame and husband Joseph Wilson. Plame had accused members of the Bush administration of leaking her identity. To knowingly disclose classified information to unauthorized recipients is a crime, and Plame's position was classified. U.S. District Judge John Bates said the lawsuit raises "important questions relating to the propriety of actions undertaken by our highest government officials." But in a 41-page decision, he found Plame and her husband, former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Wilson, failed to show the case belongs in federal court.
@highlight
Ex-spy had accused members of Bush administration of leaking her identity
@highlight
Judge tosses out lawsuit from Valerie Plame, husband Joseph Wilson
@highlight
Bush-appointed judge said couple failed to show case belongs in federal court
@highlight
Plame's identity as a CIA operative was exposed in July 2003
The couple argued the disclosure destroyed her career and was done to retaliate against @placeholder, who said the administration had "twisted" the evidence used to justify the invasion.