Probe of Bolger and Top Postal Official Sought

Two government offices asked the Justice Department today to determine if former Postmaster Gen. William Bolger and a top postal official connected to Edwin Meese III violated conflict-of-interest laws in their personal dealings.

At issue in one case is whether Bolger, who left office last year, violated rules in trying to negotiate a job with the Direct Marketing Assn., a trade association representing major mail users, while he still headed the U.S. Postal Service.

In the second case, officials want to know whether Postal Board of Governors Chairman John McKean violated rules for his role in retaining a San Francisco law firm to help with postal negotiations last year. McKean was reported to have had a business relationship with the firm.

McKean became the focus of attention during confirmation hearings for Atty. Gen.-designate Meese over his help in arranging a $60,000 loan for Meese and his subsequent appointment to the Board of Governors. A special prosecutor who investigated Meese’s personal dealings determined that Meese engaged in no criminal wrongdoing.

The request to the Justice Department for an investigation was made by the independent Office of Government Ethics and the General Accounting Office.

Possible Law Violations

In a letter, Comptroller Gen. Charles Bowsker said an investigation by the GAO disclosed “possible violations” of the law by both Bolger and McKean.

At issue is whether Bolger or McKean violated federal law prohibiting government employees from participating “personally and substantially” in official matters in which they have a financial interest. The law specifically prohibits employees from participating in dealings relating to contract awards and negotiations for prospective employment.

Bolger, who is now an administrator with the prominent Washington lobbying firm of Robert Gray Co., said in a telephone interview that he had removed himself from a Postal Service rate case involving the Direct Mailers Assn., and his employment negotiations were conducted by his lawyer.

McKean was not immediately available to comment.