Reno Decides Against Special Prosecutor

ByABC News
August 23, 2000, 9:15 AM

W A S H I N G T O N, Aug. 23 -- Attorney General Janet Reno has decided against naming a special prosecutor to investigate Vice President Al Gores 1996 campaign fund-raising.

Rejecting advice from the chief of the Justice Departments campaign finance task force, Reno declared today that no criminal investigation is warranted with regard to Gores fund-raising.

Because further investigation is not likely to result in a prosecutable case, Reno told reporters this morning, I have concluded that a special counsel is not warranted.

Robert Conrad Jr., the supervising attorney heading up the departments probe, recommended to the attorney general in June that a special prosecutor be appointed to investigate whether or not the vice president made false statements under oath. Conrad concluded that Gore was less than truthful in an April 18 interview on his role in allegedly improper campaign finance practices. Reno announced today that she did not reach the same conclusion.

Ive carefully reviewed the transcripts of the vice presidents interview, she said. The transcript reflects neither false statements, nor perjury, each of which requires proof of a willfully false statement about a material matter.

The Gore presidential campaign was understandably delighted at the decision. Its good news, said spokesman Douglas Hattaway. Were pleased the matter has been fully resolved. Al Gore is focused on the future.

But his Republican opponent, George W. Bush, said the entire episode was just another reminder that the White House needs to be aired out.

The American people are sick and tired of all these scandals and investigations. The best way to put all these scandalsand investigations behind us is to elect someone new, Bush said in a prepared statement, e-mailed to reporters while he spent a day off the trail in Austin, Texas. Im running to upholdthe honor and dignity of the White House.