Starr Draws Fire on Interview of Gay Aide

A gay congressman criticized the “implicit bigotry” of the questioning of a gay former White House official by investigators of Whitewater independent counsel Kenneth Starr. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said the incident proves Starr should end his investigation. In a letter to Starr, Frank complained about an April interview with Bob Hattoy, a former liaison for the Interior Department. During the questioning, Hattoy was reportedly asked if he had been successful in helping homosexuals get high-ranking jobs in the administration. Frank said the purpose of the interview was to gain “leverage” over President Clinton, a target of the probe. Starr’s office did not return a call asking for comment.