Prosecutor Is Sought in Abramoff Inquiry - New York Times

By THE NEW YORK TIMES
By The New York Times

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2 — Most of the Senate's Democrats called on the Justice Department on Thursday to appoint a special prosecutor to take over the department's criminal investigation centered on Jack Abramoff, the Republican lobbyist.

Thirty-five Democrats and Senator James M. Jeffords of Vermont, an independent, said in a letter to Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales that an outside prosecutor was needed because of "Mr. Abramoff's significant ties to Republican leadership in Congress and allegations of improper activity involving administration officials."

Mr. Abramoff has pleaded guilty to conspiring to corrupt members of Congress and other public officials

The Senate Democratic leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, said he signed the letter because "we need an independent investigation, not a whitewash led by Attorney General Gonzales, President Bush's best friend."

Mr. Reid added in a statement, "President Bush has worn out his credibility with the American people yet he continues to stonewall an investigation into his involvement with Jack Abramoff, asking him to trust him without explaining why."

The senator was referring to Mr. Bush's comments last week in which he said he could not recall ever meeting Mr. Abramoff, a major fund-raiser in his campaigns.