Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, July 20, 1993 TAG: 9307200224
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Cox News Service
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: Medium
With a brief telephone call, President Clinton fired the embattled FBI chief. Then the president called again to say the dismissal was effective immediately.
Amid flagging morale at the agency, the president said Sessions could "no longer effectively lead the bureau and law enforcement community."
Clinton, declaring at a White House news conference that "it is time that this difficult chapter in the agency's history is brought to a close," said he would announce his nominee to replace Sessions today. His choice is expected to be U.S. District Judge Louis Freeh, 43, of New York, a former FBI agent.
Even after his dismissal, Sessions continued his long fight to defend his reputation against allegations of ethical wrongdoing that were leveled against him in the waning days of the Bush administration.
A Justice Department report released in January accused Sessions of using government aircraft for personal purposes, charging the government for a security fence around his home and seeking a tax break on his personal car by claiming it as a law-enforcement vehicle.
Attorney General Janet Reno said she had reviewed the report and concluded that Sessions had shown a "serious deficiency in judgment."
Sessions, appearing as a private citizen requiring official escort in the FBI offices he once commanded, countered with a news conference in which he denounced the charges against him and his wife, Alice, as "scurrilous."
With a defiant voice, he declared that since graduating from Baylor Law School 35 years ago, he had dedicated his life to law and justice. Ever since, "I have been ever mindful of the absolute requirement to serve with excellence, honor and integrity," he said.
The 63-year-old former federal judge said that he had refused to resign voluntarily with four years remaining in his 10-year term "because I believe in the principle of an independent FBI."
And he defended his record as director, saying his efforts had "greatly expanded" opportunities for women, blacks, Hispanics and other minorities at the FBI. Even as the president announced that he was removing Sessions, he credited him for progress in that area.
Clinton met with Freeh for two hours Friday. White House aides spoke of Freeh as the only candidate to head the FBI.
In the interim, Clinton said Deputy FBI Director Floyd Clarke would run the agency.
by CNB