Crime
Gore's top campaign guy doubly investigated
By Viveca Novak and Karen Tumulty/Washington
March 27, 2000
Web posted at: 11:35 a.m. EST (1635 GMT)
Normally, when the inspector general of a government department
conducts an investigation, the Justice Department waits for a
formal criminal referral before getting involved. Not so with
the State Department's deepening criminal probe into
questionable dealings by Al Gore's campaign chairman, Tony
Coelho, a Justice source tells TIME. Why the unusual
coordination between the two? "To be honest," says a
high-ranking Justice official, "because it looks like there
might be something there." So Justice wants the initial
investigation handled carefully.
The probe involves allegations that Coelho misused government
funds while heading up the U.S. mission to the 1998 World
Exposition in Portugal. After new details were disclosed by
National Journal last week, Gore responded by saying Coelho was
doing a "terrific job" and would continue as chairman.
Meanwhile, Justice has launched an investigation into whether
e-mails subpoenaed in connection with various Clinton
Administration scandals were illegally withheld. White House
officials blame a series of computer glitches and say they are
working hard to retrieve the information--including 550 backup
computer tapes from Gore's office.
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