Probe Targets Ex-Travel Chief at White House

The former head of the White House travel office has been told by the Justice Department he’s the target of a federal embezzlement investigation, a source close to the case said Thursday.

Billy R. Dale deposited $55,000 in news media money in his bank account from 1988 to 1991 and the investigation is focused on that, said the source, who spoke only on condition of anonymity.

The money came from news organizations paying for costs of presidential trips. The Justice Department’s public-integrity section is investigating whether any was converted to personal use.

Dale is being asked to account for cash transactions where records are lacking, the source said.

The money, according to the source, was used abroad to make payments that would ease travel for White House reporters following the President. The cash, for instance, went to tip bellmen to move bags quickly and to get press planes quick clearance to take off, the source said.

A federal law prohibiting the bribing of foreign officials has an exception for incidental payments that are customary practices abroad.

The source said the payments and the reasons for them were widely known in the White House and among the news media.

The New York Times said Thursday that investigators were focusing on Dale’s use of a personal bank account to make travel office payments.

The Justice Department would not comment on the case.

A department target letter suggests an indictment could follow.

Thomas Earl Patton, one of Dale’s attorneys, said: “If Billy Dale is charged, it would be unjust. We’re sure the evidence will show he did not use money for any purpose other than for legitimate White House travel office purposes.”

The source did not have the date of the target letter, but said a decision could be made on an indictment by the end of the month.

Dale was dismissed from the travel office in May, 1993, along with six subordinates.