Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, December 7, 1993 TAG: 9312070088
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ST. PAUL, MINN. LENGTH: Short
U.S. District Judge Warren Urbom of Nebraska dismissed the indictment accusing the Minnesota Republican of billing taxpayers for stays at a condominium he owned.
Prosecutors may appeal or seek another indictment, Justice Department spokesman John Russell said.
Durenberger told a Washington news conference that he hoped the decision "represents the end of this unwarranted prosecution."
"Concluding this case immediately would be an act of justice and fairness," Durenberger said. "Although the order does not address the merits of the case, it is my hope that this development will prompt some examination by the Justice Department of the wisdom of this prosecution."
Durenberger, 59, was first elected to the Senate in 1978. He announced this fall he would not seek re-election next year.
He was charged with hiding his ownership in the condominium to collect $3,825 in reimbursement from the Senate for staying there during five months in 1987. He faced two felony charges, each carrying a maximum five-year prison sentence and $250,000 fine.
Urbom said the federal charges against Durenberger could not stand because prosecutors wrongly exposed a grand jury to constitutionally protected Senate records.
Keywords:
HEADSHOT OF DURENBERGER
by CNB