Who else to cover the Judith Miller scandal than New York Times barracuda Seth Mnookin. (Yes, the same Seth Mnookin we've been accused of making to "eat a big one.")

In between discovering Arthur Sulzberger Jr. refused to let his fact finding committee talk to former NYT president Russell Lewis ("Because I don't know what the f—he's going to tell you"), Mnookin takes a gander at how the journo jigsaw puzzle was pieced together.

Mnookin describes step-by-step how the reporters, including Don Van Natta, Clifford Levy, Adam Liptak and Janny Scott, were picked to write that October piece and how Miller often failed to cooperate fully with them. Miller allegedly refused to talk to Scott because she had not bothered to write to her in jail. She complained about Adam Liptak's coverage of her release from jail.

The lesson learned: If you want interview privileges post-prison with Lil' Kim, you better send her some damn care packages. Meanwhile, when the Dec. 13 issue hits newsstands, we'll also be treated to the PG version of the X-rated details.

Elsewhere, Mnookin pulls no punches in stating that over the years Miller "had built a reputation for sleeping with her sources," had dated one of Sulzberger's best friends, Steve Ratner, "and had even, for a time, shared a vacation home with Sulzberger," whatever that means.

A scaled-to-size replica of Scooter Libby's wang would make an excellent sidebar.

'Vanity Fair' Offers Fresh Details on Judith Miller Saga [E&P]