
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 14, 1990                   TAG: 9006140070
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                LENGTH: Short

SEN. DAVE DURENBERGER APOLOGIZED WEDNESDAY

Sen. Dave Durenberger apologized Wednesday to his colleagues and constituents, saying he takes "full responsibility" for ethical lapses even though he never set out to break the rules.

Shortly after he spoke, the Senate Ethics Committee abruptly ended its trial-like hearing into Durenberger's financial conduct and accepted 23 volumes of evidence against the Minnesota Republican.

The committee will now weigh a recommendation by its special counsel, Robert S. Bennett, that Durenberger be denounced by the Senate for financial improprieties.

In an emotional, hour-long speech, the senator told the committee his "life and reputation" are at stake and said he would rely on the committee's "good judgment and compassion."

The committee had scheduled up to two weeks of hearings, but went along with a request from Durenberger's attorney, Jim Hamilton, to end the hearings early because a prolonged proceeding would cost the senator too much in legal fees.

The panel's vice chairman, Sen. Warren B. Rudman, R-N.H., said the committee would have no problem making a judgment based on written documents and statements by Durenberger, his lawyer and Bennett.

"There is not a great deal of dispute about the facts," Rudman said. "There's obviously a great deal of dispute about what those facts mean."

by CNB