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Thursday, April 24, 2008
Ethics Panel Rules on Domenici Call
By Michael Coleman/
Journal Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON — The Senate Ethics Committee says Sen. Pete Domenici should never have picked up the phone, but it found "no substantial evidence" he tried to improperly influence an ongoing federal investigation when he called then-U.S. Attorney David Iglesias in October 2006.
The committee issued its finding Thursday night and billed it as a "Public Letter of Qualified Admonition" to the longtime Republican senator.
But the ethics committee also said Domenici should have known his call to Iglesias "created an appearance of impropriety that reflected unfavorably on the Senate."
Domenici, who plans to retire from the Senate after 36 years early next year, called the finding favorable but apologized in a written statement for the "distraction" his call created.
"I am gratified the Senate Ethics Committee has concluded its inquiry favorably," Domenici said. "Nevertheless ... I regret the distraction this controversy has caused my colleagues, my staff, my family, and most importantly, my constituents."
Iglesias, now working in the private sector in Albuquerque, described the committee's ruling as an official reprimand.
The ethics committee looked into whether Domenici acted improperly when he made a late-night phone call to Iglesias before the 2006 elections to ask if federal indictments would be issued in a public corruption probe involving prominent Democrats.
Rep. Heather Wilson, R-N.M., a Domenici protege, was at the time locked in a tight general election contest with then-state Attorney General Patricia Madrid, a Democrat. Iglesias has accused Wilson of making a similar call to him about the same time. The House ethics panel has not ruled on the complaint against Wilson.
Iglesias told Congress last year he "felt pressured" by the calls. Domenici and Wilson have both denied pressuring Iglesias to issue the indictments. Wilson's office did not return phone calls Thursday and Domenici's lawyer declined to comment publicly beyond the senator's written statement.
Iglesias told the Journal on Thursday he viewed the ethics committee's action as an official reprimand of Domenici.
"I am pleased that the Senate ethics committee has chosen to publicly admonish Sen. Domenici for his improper actions," Iglesias said. "I trust this will serve as a warning to other members of Congress that contacting United States attorneys in this manner is impermissible and unacceptable behavior.
"This official reprimand to a senior senator who knew better has revived my confidence in the rule of law and the sanctity of a prosecutor's independence," said Iglesias.
Pat Rogers, a Republican lawyer in Albuquerque who became involved in the Domenici controversy, criticized Iglesias' comments on the ethics committee letter.
"A qualified admonition is the weakest form of action possible," Rogers said. "No rule was violated."
FROM THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL ARCHIVES
Domenici Sought Iglesias Ouster (April 15, 2007, Copyright Albuquerque Journal story by Mike Gallagher)
Iglesias Tells Congress Domenici, Wilson Leaned on Him
(March 7, 2007, by Michael Coleman, Journal Washington Bureau)
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