Reid won’t preside over Torricelli case

Benjamin Grove

Friday, Feb. 1, 2002 | 1:39 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., will not preside as Senate Ethics Committee chairman over an investigation into whether Sen. Robert Torricelli, D-N.J., inappropriately took gifts from a businessman, because Reid gave Torricelli $500 last year.

"Although I firmly believe that my ability to render an independent and impartial judgment has not been compromised by the fact that I made a $500 donation last year to Sen. Torricelli's legal defense fund for a now-closed criminal case, I respect the concerns that have been raised," Reid said in a written statement released by his aides today.

Reid was in New Mexico visiting a nuclear laboratory today.

"I also want the review process to be free of any sort of distraction," Reid said. "I am confident that my decision will ensure that the process upholds the high standards of integrity we have set in the Senate Ethics Committee."

Reid will remain chairman of the six-member Ethics Committee, which investigates allegations that senators broke a law or Senate rule. But Reid will not have anything to do with a Torricelli probe. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, will preside as chairman on the Torricelli matter.

Earlier this month U.S. Attorney Mary Jo White closed the Justice Department's three-year Torricelli investigation without filing charges, but she forwarded her files to the Ethics Committee. Committee staffers are reviewing the material. A committee spokesman today would not say if a hearing date had been set.

The allegations against Torricelli stemmed from his relationship with commodities broker David Chang, who pleaded guilty to making $54,000 in illegal gifts to the senator, including a $8,100 Rolex watch.

Reid gave Torricelli, a long-time friend and casino industry ally, $500 on May 15 while Torricelli was still under investigation.

Earlier this month three watchdog groups in Washington urged Reid to step aside. Common Cause, Center for Public Integrity and Judicial Watch said they did not question Reid's integrity, but suggested he bow out to maintain the independence of the committee. Reid has been thinking over whether to step down on the Torricelli matter for several weeks.

Reid had said he respected the groups for raising the issue of his $500 donation but said, "I also recognize these questions could be used for political purposes and undermine the committee's integrity."