Ehrlich on Washington column, December 4, 1997

MEWS FROM Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Second Congressional District of Maryland 1 407 York Road, Suite 304 Lutherville, Maryland 21093 315 Cannon House Office Building Washington, D.C. 20515 EHRLICH ON WASHINGTON Week of December 14, 1997 By Congressman Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. JANET RENO DECISION DISAPPOINTING For the last several months, I have called upon Attorney General Janet Reno to appoint an independent counsel to investigate alleged fundraising improprieties by President Clinton, Vice President Gore, and cabinet officials such as former Energy Secretary Hazel O’Leary during the 1996 federal elections. As you can imagine, I was disappointed by her recent refusal to do so. Politically speaking, I am not surprised by her decision. The Attorney General dragged her feet during each stage of the process. In fact, she began a formal inquiry into whether an independent counsel should be appointed only after the Washington Post turned up important evidence her staff attorneys at the Justice Department overlooked. Her political loyalty to President Clinton, her boss, clearly outweighs her duty to investigate credible allegations of wrongdoing within the Administration she serves. Intellectually, however, I cannot help but be surprised by Ms. Reno’s ruling. Like Ms. Reno, I am an attorney. Based on my personal understanding of the Independent Counsel Act, the criteria which would trigger appointment of an independent counsel has been more than met —especially with respect to allegations of obstruction of justice. Many attorneys in Congress and throughout government agree with me — including FBI Director (and Clinton appointee) Louis Freeh. Director Freeh, a former federal judge, has urged the Attorney General to appoint an C independent counsel as soon as possible.