Common Cause Seeking Probe of Expensive GOP Fund-Raiser

The citizens watchdog group Common Cause asked Tuesday for the appointment of an independent counsel to investigate potential criminal violations in connection with the President’s Dinner, a Republican fund-raiser held April 28.

Common Cause cited claims that employees of one firm were coerced into giving to the dinner and indications that the largest contributor, who gave $500,000, may have been acting on behalf of other unidentified people.

“Serious questions have been raised about possible criminal conduct in connection with contributions made to the President’s Dinner,” Fred Wertheimer, president of Common Cause, wrote in a letter asking Atty. Gen. William P. Barr to appoint an independent counsel.

Since President Bush and members of his Cabinet played a role in hosting the dinner, Wertheimer said: “This matter presents a conflict of interest for the attorney general and the Justice Department which requires the appointment of an independent counsel.”

Similar Common Cause requests have led to many major investigations of political wrongdoing over the last few years, including the congressional probe that led to the ouster of House Speaker Jim Wright in 1989.

The President’s Dinner is an annual event honoring Bush, but the proceeds go to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, not to Bush’s presidential campaign.