Time magazine reports this week that after Attorney General Janet Reno's decision not to appoint an independent counsel to investigate campaign finance abuse allegations, the "real damage" to Reno was inside the Justice Department.
Since the split with FBI director Louis B. Freeh became public, "it may have emboldened some [DoJ] officials into broadening the investigation to explore" the larger scope of Dem fundraising. Since bringing in assistant U.S. attorney Charles LaBella to investigate the Asian money connection and keeping DoJ public integrity head Lee Radek to investigate President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore's fundraising, the "lines of responsibility have blurred." Any disputes are "left for Reno to settle, but only after free-for-all senior staff meetings".
On CBS' "Face the Nation," Sunday, Sen. Judiciary Chair Orrin Hatch said Freeh "should conduct an independent investigation without regard to [DoJ]." Asked if he has any indication Freeh would do it: "Oh, I think he will."
The Los Angeles Times reported Monday that it "appeared unlikely that Freeh . . . would proceed with such a probe." CBS noted Reno's "strong words . . . did not soothe Republican suspicions," and termed Reno "unapologetic and unwilling to bend." Reno, on her relationship with Freeh: "I admire him very much. . . . I don't want 'yes' people around me. I want people who give me their best advice. I won't always agree with them. But it's my judgment. I make the decisions" ("Face the Nation," Sunday).
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