Janet Reno's Conflict of Interest: A Threat to Campaign Finance Investigation
Janet Reno, the attorney general of the United States, is at the center of a controversy over her handling of a campaign finance scandal involving President Clinton and Vice President Al Gore. Despite a memo from FBI Director Louis Freeh recommending the appointment of a special prosecutor, Reno has ignored the evidence and stonewalled congressional investigators. Her actions have raised questions about her impartiality and potential conflict of interest, as she is tasked with investigating her own boss.
Key Takeaways:
- For nine months, Reno has ignored a memo from Freeh recommending the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate the campaign finance scandal.
- Reno appointed Charles LaBella to conduct an in-house investigation, but he found evidence of probable illegalities and recommended a special prosecutor be named.
- Reno has a conflict of interest, as she is the president's best defense against evidence suggesting he and the vice president deliberately violated campaign finance laws.
- The House committee is asking the House to cite Reno with contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over memos from Freeh and LaBella.
- Reno's delay in triggering the special prosecutor law has led to accusations that she is playing politics to protect Clinton.
Statistics:
- 1996: The year in which the Clinton-Gore campaign finance scandal occurred.
- 9 months: The length of time Reno has ignored Freeh's memo recommending a special prosecutor.
- 1998: The year in which the Kansas City Star article was published, highlighting Reno's conflict of interest.
- 1729 Grand Blvd.: The address of the Kansas City Star, where readers can write to Rich Hood, the editorial-page editor.
- 64108-1413: The zip code of the Kansas City Star.
Sources:
- The Kansas City Star (Rich Hood, editorial-page editor) - March 20, 1998
No other sources were mentioned in the provided text.