Ferraro Found Blameless as U.S. Ends Probe

The Justice Department on Friday closed the books on its 30-month investigation of the finances and disclosure statements of former vice presidential candidate Geraldine A. Ferraro and her husband.

The department’s civil division found “insufficient basis to conclude that Mrs. Ferraro knowingly and willfully falsified or knowingly and willfully failed to report information” under the 1978 Ethics in Government Act, spokeswoman Amy Brown said.

The department, which closed its criminal investigation in May after 21 months, informed Ferraro’s attorney on Friday that it also was ruling out civil charges in the case.

‘It’s Sweet to Have’

“The long review is over,” attorney Stephen J. Pollak said. “We are pleased even though we have all along been confident of the outcome, and even if it’s delayed it’s sweet to have.”

The investigation of Ferraro and her husband, John A. Zaccaro, began in August, 1984, one month after her nomination as the Democratic candidate for vice president.

The former New York congresswoman, whose campaign with presidential candidate Walter F. Mondale was plagued by allegations about her finances, had been under investigation concerning accusations stemming from her 1978 congressional campaign.

Investigators had been seeking to determine whether she should have included her husband’s finances in the statements and whether the repayment of a $130,000 loan from family members was properly handled.

Faulty Advice on Loans

Ferraro later said the loans were taken on faulty advice from legal counsel. She claimed exemption under the law from reporting income derived from her husband’s holdings.