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

DATE: FRIDAY, February 24, 1995                   TAG: 9502240087
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A10   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

INFLUENCE BRIBERY ALLEGED

Former Ohio Rep. Donald ``Buz'' Lukens was arrested Thursday on charges of taking bribes from two businessmen trying to keep their trade school in the federal student loan program.

An indictment unsealed in U.S. District Court accused Lukens, a Republican, of bribery and conspiracy to misuse his office. He was arrested by the FBI in Dallas and freed on personal bond. John Fitzpatrick, one of the businessmen, was arrested in Kent, Ohio.

``There is no way on God's green earth that he is guilty of bribery by Mr. Fitzpatrick,'' said Lukens' lawyer, Harvey Volzer. ``He will plead not guilty. He will be defending it to the fullest extent.''

Lukens contacted the Education Department on the trade school's behalf, the indictment said.

The money, $27,500, allegedly changed hands in 1990, just months before Lukens, 64, resigned from Congress rather than face an announced ethics committee probe of a second allegation of sexual misconduct. He had been convicted earlier following a sexual encounter with a 16-year-old and was defeated for renomination.

If convicted on all counts, Lukens would face a maximum penalty of 65 years in prison and a $1.25 million fine.

by CNB