Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to L. M., July 16, 1998

ROBERT L. EHRLICH, JR. 315 Cannon House Office Building COMMITTEES BUDGET BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANT MAJORITY WHIP Congress of the (Unit ей States HjouSc of Reprcecntattote Mastjmgton, 2ЭС 20515-2002 July 16, 1998 Lutherville. MO 21093 (4101 337-7222 45 North Main Street Bel Air. MO 21014 (4101838-2617 Thank you for contacting me with your views regarding Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr. With respect to the cost of Judge Starr’s investigation, according to the most recent Government Accounting Office figures (prepared in March 1998) Judge Starr’s Whitewater investigation was determined to cost $29.6 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 peijury, subornation of peijury, 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