Condit pledges support in missing intern case

Condit says he will provide any new information "without hesitation."

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. congressman linked to missing Washington intern Chandra Levy met with her parents Thursday night after Condit said he would provide any information he can "without hesitation."

Sources on Condit's staff confirmed the meeting, but disclosed no details.

Condit, D-California, has acknowledged a friendship with Levy. But he has denied reports of a romantic relationship with the young woman, whose family hails from his congressional district.

Condit has been interviewed once by police, who said he has been cooperative, but they want to talk to him again. He has not been identified as a suspect, and police are treating Levy's disappearance as a missing persons case.

RESOURCE Levy's attorney requests that anyone with information on Chandra Levy's disappearance contact: www.levy@dejlaw.com   or call 800 860-6552   VIDEO CNN's Candy Crowley profiles Rep. Gary Condit and speaks to some of his constituents (June 21) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   ALSO CHAT TRANSCRIPT Howard Kurtz: Media coverage of missing intern

"I met with police officials as soon as Chandra Levy was reported missing and answered their questions," Condit said in a written statement issued Thursday. "I have spoken with police again, and have reached out to Miss Levy's parents. If there is any new information I can provide, I will do so without hesitation."

A police source told CNN the second interview they want with Condit had not yet taken place and that Condit's reference to speaking with police may have been nothing more than a phone call.

Levy, 24, was last reported seen April 30 at a Washington gym. She had just completed an internship at the Federal Bureau of Prisons and was preparing to return to her family's home in Modesto, California, to receive a master's degree in public administration.

Her parents and their lawyer, Billy Martin, met with investigators Thursday. Martin said it is not clear to Levy's parents what the nature of her relationship was with Condit.

"We hope that during the investigation we can really find out the depth of that relationship, what it was," he said.

"We are going to ask the D.C. police department whether they could upgrade this to something beyond a missing person investigation," Martin said. "We remain optimistic that Chandra is alive."

Robert and Susan Levy and attorney Billy Martin meet the press outside Washington police headquarters.

Police have said they need evidence of foul play before they would turn the case into a criminal investigation.

Police officials said Wednesday they wanted to talk to Condit and others about Levy's state of mind at the time of her disappearance. They said second interviews are not uncommon during investigations.

Condit criticized the media Thursday for focusing on him, saying the "tabloidization of these terrible circumstances can only cause more pain to the Levys while at the same time doing nothing to help find Chandra." He has contributed $10,000 to a reward fund.

Levy's parents clung to each other Thursday as they made a brief statement outside police headquarters. Her mother, Susan Levy, urged anyone with information to contact them, repeating a toll-free number and Web address.

Martin said his firm has been hired to assist the parents in "obtaining information, and if necessary, to conduct an independent investigation" into her disappearance.

"Knowing their daughter, Mrs. and Dr. Levy are confident that Chandra Levy has not just walked away," Martin said.

The attorney said he and the Levys had complete confidence in the police and that they would share with authorities what they learn. He said he promised police he would not discuss what was said during the meeting.

Martin gained prominence when he represented Marcia Lewis, Monica Lewinsky's mother, during a federal grand jury investigation into Lewinsky's relationship with President Clinton.

CNN's Bob Franken, Sue Kroll and Paul Courson contributed to this report.