Reno Refuses To Turn Over Memo

By Pierre Thomas/CNN

WASHINGTON (Dec. 5) -- Attorney General Janet Reno is refusing to turn over to Congress the memo FBI Director Louis Freeh wrote to her arguing for an independent counsel to investigate campaign fund-raising, CNN has learned.

In a letter to Rep. Dan Burton, the Republican chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, Reno made it clear that Freeh agrees with her decision to not turn over the memo, despite the fact the two sharply disagreed over the need for an independent counsel.

"Director Freeh has expressed to me his complete agreement with my judgment that our joint responsibility to protect the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations and prosecutorial decision-making requires that we decline to provide the memorandum," Reno wrote.

"In fact, Director Freeh informed me that he independently reached the same conclusion before we even discussed the matter," Reno said.

On Tuesday, Reno announced she had decided not to seek independent counsels to examine fund-raising by President Bill Clinton and Vice President Al Gore.

In Other News:

Friday Dec. 5, 1997

• Vermont's Gov. Dean Eyes A 2000 Run
• Paula Jones Must Turn Over More Documents
• Clinton: Tax-Cut Talk Is Premature
• Recess Appointment Likely For Lee
• Thurmond To Give Up Armed Services Reins In 1998
• Pete Wilson's Former Maid Avoids Deportation
• Clinton's Four Medicare Commission Appointees
• Reno Refuses To Turn Over Memo
• Asian Americans Complain About Fund-Raising Probe

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