Congress Has Its Own Fund-Raising Problems

Members of Congress, including some who will investigate the fund-raising controversy, have benefited from some of the same donors and practices that have stirred trouble for the White House.

The top Republican and Democrat on the Senate committee that is investigating the burgeoning controversy returned contributions in the past few days after disclosures they got money from donors they may have to question.

Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, last week returned $3,000 from a Kansas City businessman and his family. The businessman, Farhad Azima, was linked to the Iran-Contra affair, and his donations to the Democratic National Committee recently were returned.

Sen. John Glenn of Ohio, the ranking Democrat on the committee, also returned old contributions from a man who may have to testify.

Arkansas lawyer Mark Grobmyer - who contributed $1,000 in 1994 and $600 during the 1980s - was a business consultant to James Riady, executive of the Indonesian-based Lippo group.

Lippo officials were the source of huge donations to the Democratic Party, and the beneficiaries of such things as presidential meetings and government appointments.

A third member of the committee, Assistant Majority Leader Don Nickles, R-Okla., found himself facing questions Monday about a solicitation he sent out in 1990 as head of the GOP’s Senate fund-raising effort.

That letter set a $10,000 price tag for donors to get private meetings at the Capitol and White House.