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

DATE: SUNDAY, September 19, 1993                   TAG: 9309190044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-6   EDITION: METRO =W NO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: NORFOLK                                LENGTH: Short

ROBB SCOFFS AT LAWSUIT

A spokeswoman for Sen. Charles Robb derided a lawsuit filed by longtime nemesis Billy Franklin that claims the senator's associates damaged Franklin's private investigation business.

Franklin, a Virginia Beach resident, on Friday sued Robb's re-election committee and six former Robb associates, saying they tried to smear him.

Franklin's suit claims he suffered emotional stress and financial loss.

"This is a farce. It is nothing more than a weak attempt at publicity," said Susan Platt, Robb's campaign director.

The suit does not name Robb as a defendant. He is seeking re-election in 1994.

Franklin's suit said Robb associates tried to smear the investigator and interfere with his business while he was investigating Robb's behavior in Virginia Beach during the period Robb was governor in the 1980s.

by CNB