Panel Finds 'Credible Evidence' Cranston Violated Ethics Rules

In finding that DeConcini and Riegle violated no specific rules even though their conduct gave an appearance of impropriety, the panel brushed aside the conclusion of its special counsel, Robert S. Bennett, that an appearance of misconduct violates the Senate's principal ethics rule, which calls for disciplining of members who bring discredit on the Senate. Senators could and should be disciplined for improper appearances, Bennett said.

Common Cause, the lobbying group that brought the charges against the senators before the ethics committee, denounced its recommendations as "a cop-out and a damning indictment of the committee." The group said the panel's failure to recommend further disciplinary action against DeConcini and Riegle was "indefensible and inexcusable" and that its refusal to find that Glenn and McCain engaged in improper conduct "cannot be justified."

Another lobbying group, Public Citizen, accused the committee of a "whitewash."

Committee members denied that they had been lenient and defended their actions as consistent with Senate rules, which are vague in spelling out how far senators can go in intervening for constituents who are also political supporters and contributors.

"I don't think you would think that you'd been judged lightly if your peers had judged you as these men have been judged," said Sen. Jesse Helms (R-N.C.), who had been regarded as one of the panel's strongest advocates of stern disciplinary action.

In its findings, the committee acknowledged that there were no specific written standards governing intervention with regulators but said it followed "general guidelines" that are on the books but unknown to many senators. For the future, it urged that the Senate adopt written rules spelling out permissible activities. It also urged the Senate and House to "work together in a bipartisan manner" to pass a comprehensive overhaul of campaign finance laws.