Reno's deputy, Jamie Gorelick, declined to comment directly on the Post report but said a Justice Department task force has not found any evidence that would require the appointment of an independent counsel. But the mounting reports of inappropriate and evidently illegal conduct in fund-raising make it increasingly difficult for the Clinton administration to continue to fend off Senator McCain.
According to the Post report, some of the information being studied was obtained by electronic eavesdropping by federal agencies. The newspaper said its sources declined to provide details of the evidence uncovered, but characterized it as serious. A spokesman for the embassy denied that China was involved in improper fund-raising, but such statements cannot be taken at face value.
The report closely followed a Los Angeles Times report that the former U.S. envoy to Taiwan is being investigated by the Justice Department for allegedly improperly soliciting foreign contributions for the Clinton campaign and for using his diplomatic position to further private business interests. The former envoy, James C. Wood, is described as having been a close friend of President Clinton since the 1960s.
These reports follow others regarding a Clinton aide with ties to an Indonesian conglomerate who may have used his government position improperly in fund solicitation, and a variety of other alleged violations. The cumulative effect of these reports is highly damaging to the Clinton campaign. The effect is likely to get worse when the Republican-controlled Congress begins its investigation. Appointment of an independent counsel would dispel suspicion of an administration cover-up.
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