Gingrich Probe Gets Investigator

Sat., Dec. 23, 1995

From Wire Reports

The House Ethics Committee Friday named a veteran prosecutor and whitecollar defense attorney to serve as special counsel to investigate whether House Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., violated federal tax laws in raising money for a college course that he taught.

In announcing the appointment of James M. Cole, Rep. Nancy Johnson, R-Conn., the ethics panel’s chairwoman, said the committee believes he “has the experience and integrity to serve the committee and the House well.”

Among Cole’s successes during the 13 years he worked at the Department of Justice was the prosecution of Rep. George V. Hansen of Idaho, who was convicted of filing false financial statements in 1984.

Gingrich’s opponent in the last election, Georgia Democrat Ben Jones, filed the ethics complaint, asserting that the course amounted to a political recruitment program.

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Gingrich Probe Gets Investigator

Jesse Tinsley

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