ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 3, 1996 TAG: 9604030060
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: WASHINGTON
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The prosecutor investigating former Agriculture Secretary Mike Espy has found evidence of ``a pattern of conduct involving payments or gifts to Espy and his close associates in return for favorable treatment by the Department of Agriculture,'' says a court order that broadens the investigator's reach.
The ruling by a special three-judge panel noted that independent counsel Donald C. Smaltz's request for expanded jurisdiction cited affidavits from federal agents ``who uncovered the new matters during their investigation.''
Because of secrecy requirements, the court gave no clue whom Smaltz wanted to investigate in addition to Espy, who resigned in December 1994 and has not been charged, nor what the alleged favors were.
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