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Hatch demands conclusion to Justice probe of StarrBy Terry Frieden/CNN
June 17, 1999 WASHINGTON (June 17) -- Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch called on Attorney General Janet Reno Thursday to promptly conclude the Justice Department's inquiry of Independent Counsel Ken Starr, one way or the other. In a personal letter to Reno, Hatch called "troubling" news reports that the inquiry was "on hold" until after the independent counsel statute expires at the end of this month. The reports said Justice officials are waiting to see whether Starr decides to resign or curtail his investigation. "The inquiry into Judge Starr's conduct should be completed promptly, and the independent counsel should either be exonerated or sanctioned in a timely fashion," Hatch wrote. Hatch, whose committee oversees Reno's Department, demanded a personal explanation. "I expect that you will personally examine the status of the inquiry of Judge Starr and promptly inform the Committee of your plans to bring this matter to conclusion," Hatch wrote. Hatch suggested such a move by the Justice Department might be viewed as a threat to further the probe if Starr doesn't quit. "Judge Starr should be free to carry out his responsibility expeditiously without the distraction or threat of an 'on-hold' inquiry into his office's conduct," Hatch said. Reno was not immediately available to respond. She is on her way back to Washington from South Africa where she attended the swearing in of President Thabo Mbeki. However, a senior Justice Department official told CNN that reports the inquiry is "on hold" are wrong. The official declined to further characterize the status of the investigation. Last year Reno referred Democratic demands for an investigation of misconduct by Starr to the Justice Dpeartment's Office of Professional Responsibility. Reno has repeatedly refused comment on the status of the inquiry. Calls for the ethics inquiry focused on allegations of news leaks from the Office of Independent Counsel and prosecutors' initial dealings with Monica Lewinsky the day she was detained at a suburban Washington hotel following a meeting with former White House aide Linda Tripp. |
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MORE STORIES:Thursday, June 17, 1999
• Gore, on campaign stump, says no return to 'old and broken policies of past' • Transcript: Al Gore's chat with AllPolitics • Election briefs: News on Quayle, Dole and Bradley • Hatch may join already-crowded GOP presidential field • State polls give early glimpse at electoral break down • Hatch demands conclusion to Justice probe of Starr • Holbrooke faces GOP grilling on ethics charges • At fund-raiser, Forbes raises $1 million for 2000 presidential bid • U.S. on road to online voting • Vietnam crypt at Tomb of the Unknowns to remain empty • Gore and Bush: Two slick, made-for-TV campaigns solidify candidates' front-runner status • House panel OKs bill that would prevent federal shutdowns • Senate considers loan guarantees for steel, oil and gas • Gore sees boost from first lady in Senate race • REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: A nostalgic stroll and mob control • House panel, Clinton administration explore Social Security compromise • Republicans use Gore's words against him • Ickes, a tenacious operative, Mrs. Clinton's 'oak tree' in New York • Education Department lowers fees on government loans • Summers says his challenge will be to stay the course • Gore balances Clinton loyalty, independence • Secrets make Washington world's 'shredder capital' • Medical privacy debate hits snag over abortion • Senate Democrats block House-passed GOP Social Security plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
