Decision on Rostenkowski Put on Hold

The Justice Department has postponed a decision on whether to seek an indictment of Rep. Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.) because prosecutors have expanded their investigation of the House Post Office, a federal law enforcement official said Tuesday.

Newly installed U.S. Atty. Eric H. Holder Jr. has decided to let a grand jury that has been hearing evidence in the case expire this month to give prosecutors more time, said the official, who is familiar with the case.

Prosecutors would be able to present all evidence in the case to a new grand jury.

Justice Department spokesman John Russell said he “knew of no change in the Rostenkowski matter, which is a pending matter.”

There had been widespread speculation that a decision would be made this month on whether to seek an indictment of Rostenkowski, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, before the Oct. 31 expiration of the grand jury.

There will be no announcement at the end of October of any charges “because this investigation is not only ongoing but in fact has been expanded,” said the official, who requested anonymity.

The official declined to describe how the investigation has been expanded or what new evidence was being examined.

But the July 19 guilty plea of former House Postmaster Robert V. Rota to misdemeanor charges is believed to have significantly widened the investigation.

Rota admitted helping a former House member and one current member obtain cash illegally from the post office for personal use.