Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to E. E., February 20, 1998

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. 2d District. Maryland 315 Cannon House Office Building BUDGET BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Conartss of tfje SHniteb States Jbouse ot &cprcemtatfoe8 ®3asl)ington, 2ЭС 20515-2002 February 20, 1998 Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. With respect to your questions as to the cost of Judge Starr’s investigation, according to the most recent Government Accounting Office figures (prepared in March 1997) Judge Starr’s Whitewater investigation was determined to cost $25.6 million. By contrast, the Iran-Contra investigation conducted during the late 1980s and early 1990s by then-independent Counsel Lawrence Walsh cost $59 million in 1998 dollars. With respect to my views about the cost of Judge Starr’s investigation, I believe that credible allegations of wrongdoing, such as the allegations of perjury, subornation of perjury, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice leveled against President Clinton, should be investigated. While the combined cost of the Starr and Walsh investigations is substantial, I believe that not investigating possible illegalities by high-ranking government officials would exact a higher cost on the American political system in the long run. Once again, thanks for contacting me regarding this matter. Let me know if I can be of future assistance. Very truly yours, Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. Member of Congress