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én a > * tou y > ~ - ss wre: re ee mr eee © RNS at mentee 6 Bot Re ae 7 sm — . ea \- FD-350 (Rev. 10-19-77) y (Mount Clipping in Space Below) Scandal De Data | : iWithheld From. Panels ¢ r a WASHINGTON, (AP) = The Nistice “CLEAR MATTER UP" Department today refused to turn over to congressional ethicscommittees evidencé | that the FBI has amassed on ‘eight mem: ‘bers of Congress allegedly implicated i in .the bureau's political’ corzuption | inquiry... “fr Assistant Attorney’ General - Philip Heymann conyeyed the, refusal to. the | ‘House ethics committee: by. Feading a ‘let-' ter from Attorney General . Benjamin }- Civilettl i cooperation in‘its inquiry, but.he said he. “The letter sai said | staring of evidence with} ‘hoped. some, settlement could be reached the ethles. comimittéés could. endanger |} ' without'legal action, ‘criminal prosécutionof guilty persons anid eae Sh a_related development; FBI | agents result’ in the leaking of other information will meet t Thursday with members of New -that might be harmful to innocent parties, “Jersey's. Casing, “Control ‘Commission’ “Tt thigcommitteeweretobeginafullin- | ‘ following:. the ‘resignation /of“a’'com- vestigation before we have had'a fair p-jeamissioner,alleged-to have taken $100,000 i portunity eventocompleteourcrimina}i n= wide oo ‘a number of ;guilty: in- dividuals, Could go _unproSecuted..or .un-' punished ¢ and innocent’ones May be fore’ Severely prejudiced, ” the letter: said., “There ts an obligation toclear this mat-. -ter.up..,immediately if we can," he said. We" vé got to protect individual: rights. ‘But'l think thé American: ‘people need to shave.their faith restored ih the’ American political process." ad Heflin said his’ committee, migitt, g0 to’ pee SR aces . . , CITES DIFFICULTIES ]__ Citing. difficulties presented by : *simulianeousinvestigations, ” Civiletti’s. | Teter "asked that'te > congressional ethics | panels forego thei? probes pending com- pletion of Justice ‘Department, _Prosecutions. “The letter. said: the department then E would be willing 'to fully, C00 operate with congressional - investigations ‘which can | lead todisciplining of members found guil-,| -ty of wrongdoing § or improprieties: \ Earlier-today . in a CBS-TV- interview, | ‘Sén.. Howell Heflin, D-Ala., chairman. of. i the Sénate Ethics Comniittee; said’ Heymann ‘told him last hight, that FBI! €vidence would not be made available for ' congressional investigations, Se erneireereety Heflin, a former appeals court jndgest {said he was"‘torn between‘a lot of respon: | (sibilities and obligations,” . court to force the J ustice Department's}: (Indicate page, name of newspeper, city and state.) Pages 1&7 Richmond News Leader" Richmond, Va. Date: Edition: 2/6/80 Evening Title: ABSCAM | Cheracter: 8387-15542 or < Classification: | Submitting Office: Rj chmond ' aw