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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 29, 1995                   TAG: 9506290077
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT WON'T PROSECUTE PACKWOOD

The Justice Department has closed its investigation of Sen. Bob Packwood and has decided against prosecuting him over allegations that he solicited job offers from lobbyists for his ex-wife.

The department told Packwood's lawyers of the decision in a letter dated Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press.

However, the Oregon Republican still faces Senate ethics committee charges concerning the job offers and complaints that he engaged in sexual misconduct and altered his diaries to obstruct the panel's probe.

Packwood met privately for nearly three hours Wednesday with the committee. It was the second consecutive day he responded to committee charges of sexual misconduct, tampering with evidence and peddling his influence in an attempt to secure jobs for his wife to reduce alimony payments.

Sen. Richard Bryan, D-Nev., said Packwood would return for more questioning today.

by CNB