The Shadow Over Rostenkowski

In pleading guilty to conspiracy and embezzlement, the former postmaster of the House of Representatives has cast a shadow over one of America’s most powerful politicians, Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.), the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Apart from threatening Rostenkowski’s fabled career as a hard-working, rough-and-tumble player on the Hill, the scandal looms ominously over the Clinton Administration’s road ahead in Congress. At risk are the President’s economic program, health care reform and more. The timing couldn’t be worse in terms of the White House efforts to get its programs on track, and to capitalize on having fellow Democrats in key legislative posts.

As part of his guilty plea, Robert V. Rota implicated Rostenkowski, telling prosecutors that the Illinois representative had allowed the House Post Office to be a source of untraceable cash for members of Congress. Although Rostenkowski was not specifically identified, it is clear from documents that Rota has told prosecutors he helped Rostenkowski embezzle $21,300. These are serious accusations that in time could at the very least argue for the chairman to step aside. But why should there be a rush to judgment?

Republicans who want to derail the Clinton economic train seem overjoyed by the chairman’s predicament. And the fiercely partisan nature of the Rostenkowski affair was evident Thursday as House Democrats angrily denied Republican charges of cover-up and voted to keep records of an internal House Post Office investigation confidential.

But beyond the petty politics, the need to tread cautiously in this case was evident from a statement by the U.S. attorney to the effect that, if the records were released the case would be jeopardized. Basically, the issue to date centers on Rota’s assertions and his description of a voucher scam. It is still up to the government to make the criminal case that Rostenkowski stole funds.

The Ways and Means Committee leader may be guilty, but so far the evidence amounts to one discredited postmaster’s testimony. And Rostenkowski’s refusal to testify to a grand jury last summer--an exercise of a constitutional right--cannot be considered a demonstration of guilt.

Having said this, no powerful leader, however important to the nation’s agenda, should be spared the full hand of justice. And Congress should remove any member from any position, even before a criminal case is settled, if colleagues see a significant ethical problem. But the key goal here is to have these serious charges properly prosecuted and adjudicated. The priority is for the criminal justice system to move forward with all due speed.