Justice Department Divided Over Pending Herman Decision
By Pierre Thomas/CNN
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 8) -- Attorneys in the Justice Department's Public Integrity section have recommended that Attorney General Janet Reno seek an outside investigation of Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, CNN has learned. At issue is whether Herman took a cash bribe while she was a White House aide to President Bill Clinton.
Herman has flatly denied the allegations, but the controversy has sparked division in the Justice Department. In March, Reno was granted a 60-day extension of her original investigation into the matter. A final decision is due Monday.
Sources tell CNN some senior Justice officials have called on Reno not to seek an independent counsel and add that they have no idea what Reno is planning. Should Reno go forward, this would mark the sixth time she has requested an independent counsel to investigate a top Clinton Administration official.
The Justice Department investigation is the result of charges by an African businessman, Laurent Yene, who says he gave Herman an envelope full of cash. Yene claims that he, Herman, and a friend, Vanessa Weaver, conspired in a scam where Herman would peddle her influence as a White House official in exchange for cash.
Some say there is simply not enough evidence to go forward. Herman's supporters say Yene is seeking revenge and money because he is angry over a soured business and personal relationship with Weaver.
Others say the Justice Department can't be certain it has all the facts, because under the independent counsel law the department cannot yet subpoena records or convene a grand jury.
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