Richardson Sworn In as Energy Chief

United Nations Ambassador Bill Richardson has been sworn in as U.S. Energy secretary after Senate Energy Committee leaders cleared him of allegations that he misled the panel about a job offer to former White House intern Monica S. Lewinsky.

Richardson will assume his new duties as head of the Energy Department on Monday but will continue as U.N. ambassador until his replacement is confirmed, said Richardson spokesman Stuart Nagurka.

The Senate Foreign Relations Committee hasn’t yet scheduled a hearing on the nomination of Richard C. Holbrooke as Richardson’s replacement at the United Nations.

Richardson was sworn in Tuesday at the Energy Department. Undersecretary of Energy Ernest Moniz conducted the small, private ceremony, said Nagurka. The private legal swearing-in is likely to be followed by a public ceremony in September, White House spokeswoman Nanda Chitre said.

Richardson’s swearing-in came one day after the chairman of the Senate Energy Committee dropped his request that President Clinton delay the ceremony.

Sen. Frank H. Murkowski (R-Alaska) wanted time to investigate a news report that Richardson may have contradicted himself in testimony to the committee regarding a job offer he made to Lewinsky.