February 11, 1999
Web posted at: 5:05 p.m. EST (2205 GMT)

WASHINGTON (February 11) -- Sen. Orrin Hatch is calling for an investigation into whether Justice Department officials leaked word to the press about a potential probe of Independent Counsel Ken Starr's office.

Sen. Orrin Hatch

Hatch, who has a meeting scheduled for Friday with Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder, put the Justice Department's second-ranking official on notice to be prepared to discuss Starr.

"Needless to say, I am very concerned," Hatch wrote Holder. "These press accounts once again call into question the Department's integrity and support the impression many people have that this is a partisan Justice Department."

Hatch was referring to reports that detail the focus of the potential investigation: namely, whether Starr's investigators violated Justice Department guidelines in their initial interview with Monica Lewinsky, the ex-White House intern who had a relationship with President Bill Clinton.

Deputy Attorney General Eric Holder

The other question is whether Starr's office withheld details about contacts with Paula Jones' attorneys when they asked Attorney General Janet Reno to investigate the Lewinsky matter.

If "there is new, credible evidence supporting any allegations of wrongdoing by the OIC," Hatch said, referring to the Office of Independent Counsel, "then an investigation should be conducted. Whether the evidence in this matter warrants investigation is unclear."

The senator, a Utah Republican, also questioned whether the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility should conduct the probe of Starr, alleging that leaks potentially came from that office.

Justice officials had no immediate comment. But sources told CNN a leaks investigation is already under way.

Thursday, February 11, 1999

• Final impeachment votes set for Friday
• Clinton, Lott and the revenge factor
• Sen. Hatch wants to know source of anti-Starr leaks
• Excerpts of senators' public comments on impeachment
• Reno avoids comment on reports of Starr probe
• House prosecutors blame public opinion
• More GOP leaders ask Bush to run
• Welfare recipients may help 2000 census
• Longtime Boy Scout quits over Clinton award

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