Reno Demands Resignations From All 93 U.S. Attorneys

Acting in conjunction with the White House, Atty. Gen. Janet Reno Tuesday demanded the resignations of all the nation’s 93 U.S. attorneys, saying the move would enable the new Democratic Administration to quickly begin appointing its own prosecutorial team.

At her first news conference since taking office just over a week ago, Reno denied suggestions by some Republicans that the sweeping order was a disguised attempt to disrupt the GOP-led investigation of a key Democratic congressman, Rep. Dan Rostenkowski of Illinois, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a chief ally of President Clinton.

She added that the resignations would not all be effective immediately, saying: “We are going to try to do it in a very orderly way that does not impact . . . on any pending matter.”

The Rostenkowski investigation is being led by Jay B. Stephens, the Republican-appointed U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, who told reporters later in the day that his work on the case had reached a crucial stage and was within 30 days of completion.

He refused to disclose whether an indictment would be sought against Rostenkowski, saying only that “. . . substantial progress had been made” in the case.

The investigation centers on Rostenkowski’s purchases of large amounts of stamps at the House post office. Investigators are trying to determine whether he improperly used the transactions to convert public funds for his personal or campaign use--allegations the congressman has vigorously denied.

Reno’s letter to Stephens and all the U.S. attorneys, including four in California, suggested that they would have to clear out of their offices within 10 days. However, a White House official said that some of the prosecutors may be asked to stay on.

U.S. attorneys are appointed by a President to four-year terms. Most of the U.S. attorneys now in office are Republican holdovers.

Republican sources noted that Rostenkowski is a key player in two of Clinton’s top domestic priorities--his economic and health care reform programs. Should he be indicted, he would be forced to resign his chairmanship, a development that would be a setback for the Administration.