Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, April 14, 1991 TAG: 9104140291
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: D6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium
Private investigator Billy Franklin is publishing the book - a compilation of his investigation into allegations of Robb's alleged drug use - himself and hopes to have it on the shelves by June.
"It's another attempt to get another round of free publicity. . . because apparently he can't get a reputable, or real-life, publisher to deal with his work," Robb's press secretary, Steven Johnson, said Friday.
Franklin has said he was hired by Dr. L.H. Williams, a Richmond physician, to investigate the drug allegations prior to Robb's run for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Republican Paul Trible. When Robb, a Democrat, formally entered the race, Trible said he was planning on retiring so he could run for governor.
Williams has denied he was involved in hiring Franklin.
Franklin said Thursday that his soon-to-be-published book will contain statements of witnesses who told him they saw Robb use cocaine "on more than one occasion."
Robb aides declined to say how Robb or his attorneys will react to the publication of the book. "We'll just wait and see what Mr. Franklin publishes," said David McCloud, Robb's chief political aide.
Franklin said he has formed his own publishing firm - Broad Bay Publishing Co. Inc. - and is printing 12,000 copies of a book.
Franklin's pledge to publish the book is the latest chapter in a story that dates to 1987 when the Richmond Times-Dispatch said federal prosecutors had been told by witnesses that Robb, while governor, attended parties in Virginia Beach at which cocaine was used.
by CNB