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FBI's top lawyer tells Congress that witness backs Freeh on Radek memo

May 23, 2000
Web posted at: 6:37 p.m. EDT (2237 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI's top lawyer testified Tuesday that another high-ranking FBI official was present at a key, high-level 1996 strategy meeting, and can corroborate the bureau's contention that a top Justice Department official said he was "under a lot of pressure" not to investigate Democratic campaign practices.

One day before a Senate hearing to investigate the matter, FBI General Counsel Larry Parkinson told a House Judiciary Committee hearing on an unrelated matter that then-Assistant FBI Director Neil Gallagher was present when Justice executive Lee Radek allegedly said that he was being pressured not to press the investigation because Attorney General Janet Reno's job "might hang in the balance."

Radek made the comments to then-FBI Deputy Director William Esposito, according to a memo by Director Louis Freeh which first came to light last week.

The 1996 memo from Freeh to Esposito recounting the alleged comments by Radek prompted Republican leaders to renew their attacks on Reno and Radek for refusing to appoint an independent counsel to probe alleged Democratic campaign finance improprieties during the 1996 presidential campaign.

The FBI and Justice Department have been publicly at odds over Reno's decision to keep the campaign investigation under the Justice Department's Public Integrity Section headed by Radek, rather than hand it over to an independent prosecutor.

Republicans have generally backed the FBI leadership, while Democratic leaders have supported the Justice Department.

Freeh's memo was turned over to House and Senate investigators last week, and caused key committee chairmen to immediately call hearings.

Radek and FBI officials are scheduled to appear Wednesday at a Senate Judiciary subcommittee hearing chaired by Sen. Arlen Specter (R-Pennsylvania).

House Government Reform Committee Chairman Dan Burton (R-Indiana), has scheduled a hearing on the issue for Thursday.

Freeh's memo produced a sharp response from Radek. "I have no recollection of ever saying I was under pressure because the attorney general's job hung in the balance. Nor is it something I would have said because it has no basis in fact," he said in a written statement.

However, Tuesday's testimony disputes Radek's account.

Under questioning from Rep. James Rogan (R-California), Parkinson revealed that Esposito was not alone with Radek when the disputed conversation occurred.

"Who was there?" Rogan asked.

"At the time, Principal Assistant Director Neil Gallagher," Parkinson replied.

"And does Mr. Gallagher corroborate any of the accounts of this meeting?" the lawmaker asked.

"Yes," Parkinson responded.

"Whose account?" Rogan demanded to know.

"He essentially corroborates the account that's described in the director's memo to Mr. Esposito," Parkinson said.

The exchange produced an angry response from Democrats on the House panel who charged it was politically motivated and had nothing to do with their hearing on secret evidence used to detain suspected terrorists.

Parkinson denied he had any notice the questions were coming.

Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Illinois) rejected Democratic complaints and allowed Rogan to question the FBI general counsel on the issue.

 
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Tuesday, May 23, 2000


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