ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1995, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, December 13, 1995 TAG: 9512130058
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: Associated Press
There is no evidence that Rep. Newt Gingrich discussed his book deal with Rupert Murdoch when the media magnate lobbied Gingrich during the book negotiations, the House ethics committee said Tuesday.
Murdoch owns the company that published Gingrich's book.
``The committee found no evidence that either the book or the negotiations were mentioned'' at the meeting on Nov. 28, 1994, in the Capitol, the panel said in a report approved by all 10 members.
The report briefly explained the committee's Dec. 6 decision to find Gingrich guilty of three ethics violations and to hire an outside counsel to investigate a college course he taught.
It also provided brief explanations of complaints that were dismissed. Among them: the widely publicized allegation of a conflict of interest between Gingrich and Murdoch.
The complaint focused on the Gingrich-Murdoch meeting shortly before the Georgia Republican signed the book contract with Murdoch-owned HarperCollins.
Ever since the book deal complaint was filed by former Rep. Ben Jones, D-Ga., Gingrich has insisted he didn't know during the meeting that Murdoch owned HarperCollins. Murdoch insisted he wasn't aware that Gingrich was negotiating a two-book contract, including ``To Renew America'' - now in bookstores.
Murdoch took two lobbyists to the meeting to discuss foreign ownership rules for broadcast stations. The committee found the meeting ``was a courtesy visit of a routine nature'' and the ownership issue was ``mentioned only briefly in passing.''
Jones also contended that a publisher's auction was rigged to drive up the price of Gingrich's advance, even though the speaker knew that HarperCollins would win the contract. The committee found no evidence to support the complaint.
Gingrich gave up his $4.5 million advance after he was intensely criticized for the amount.
LENGTH: Short : 45 linesby CNB