Release of Cisneros Report Ordered

A federal appeals court ordered the release of a final report yesterday in a decade-long investigation of former Housing and Urban Development secretary Henry G. Cisneros.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit said in an order that the time has come for independent counsel David M. Barrett to end the inquiry, which has cost more than $21 million, government records show.

Cisneros, now chief executive of American CityVista, pleaded guilty in 1999 to lying to the FBI about money he gave to a former mistress. He paid a $10,000 fine and was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton. The probe continued as Barrett sought to determine whether anyone in the Clinton administration obstructed his investigation of Cisneros. No further charges were brought.

"The substantive duties of the independent counsel are complete," Judge David B. Sentelle said in the order. "The court orders that the independent counsel, with all deliberate speed, prepare . . . and release the now pending final report."

The appeals court stayed its order for 10 days to allow any party to seek a stay from the Supreme Court.