THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 23, 1996 TAG: 9610230510
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WASHINGTON LENGTH: 61 lines
The Christian Coalition will ask the federal government today to investigate a controversial fund-raiser held at a Buddhist temple last spring by the Clinton administration and the Democratic National Committee.
Ralph Reed, executive director of the Chesapeake-based coalition, questioned whether the $140,000 raised at the event had been laundered. Reed made his comments during a speech Tuesday before the National Press Club.
The fund-raiser, attended by Vice President Al Gore, was held at the Hsi Lai Buddhist Temple in Hacienda Heights, Calif. Democrats did not at first pay to use the temple - the largest Buddhist holy place outside of Asia - raising questions about whether the temple had made an in-kind political donation that would jeopardize its tax-exempt status.
After reports of the event appeared in newspapers this month, the Democratic National Committee quickly sent the temple a $15,000 check to cover its cost.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that Buddhist monks and nuns who had taken vows of poverty somehow made $5,000 contributions apiece. One nun told the newspaper that the money was supplied by an associate of an Indonesian family that has contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to Clinton's campaign.
``We condemn as unethical and irresponsible that action of a party and an administration that has polluted a sanctuary of sacred vows with the corruption of special interests,'' Reed said.
The complaint comes just months after the Federal Election Commission sued the coalition, contending that it is little more than an arm of the Republican Party and should be required to disclose all of its political activities. The suit was largely based on a 1992 complaint by the Democratic National Committee against the coalition.
``The DNC has complained about our nonpartisan activities while turning a Buddhist temple into a den of thieves,'' Reed said.
Democratic National Committee officials could not be reached Tuesday.
Upon receiving the complaint, the commission will give the DNC 15 days to respond and then determine whether a full-scale investigation is merited. A finding against the DNC could result in fines.
During an hour-long appearance before the press club, Reed said the coalition will distribute 46 million voter guides and make at least 3 million phone calls across the country for next month's presidential, congressional and local races. He predicted a record turnout of evangelical voters.
Reed criticized President Clinton for vetoing a recent bill that would have banned partial-birth abortions. He also urged Republican leaders not to give up on Bob Dole's chances of winning the presidency, warning that such an action would ``diminish excitement'' among grass-roots conservatives for voting in congressional races. MEMO: PILOT ONLINE: The full text of Reed's speech is available through
the News page at http://www.pilotonline.com ILLUSTRATION: Photo
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ralph Reed, executive director of the Chesapeake-based Christian
Coalition, questioned whether money raised at a Democratic
fund-raiser in a Buddhist temple was legally obtained.
KEYWORDS: CAMPAIGN FINANCING PRESIDENTIAL RACE 1996
CHRISTIAN COALITION RALPH REED by CNB