Rollins Testifies in Grand Jury Election Probe
Political strategist Edward J. Rollins appeared Thursday before a federal grand jury that is investigating whether Gov.-elect Christine Todd Whitman’s campaign suppressed black votes.
Neither Rollins nor U.S. Atty. Michael Chertoff would comment.
Rollins was campaign manager for Whitman, who defeated incumbent Democrat James J. Florio on Nov. 2 by less than 27,000 votes.
State and federal investigations were launched last week after Rollins said Republicans paid black ministers and Democratic workers $500,000 to refrain from urging blacks to vote. He later retracted the statements.
In Atlantic City, N.J., on Thursday, Whitman told reporters that she expected to talk to Chertoff in connection with the investigation sometime after Thanksgiving.
Rollins was in the courthouse Thursday for about six hours, including several breaks in the proceedings. He eluded reporters by leaving via a loading dock.
Rollins was scheduled to give sworn testimony today to Democratic Party lawyers who are suing to overturn the election.
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