From: Bob Franken and Brooks Jackson/CNN
In: Washington
Posted 9-16-97

Subject: Immunity Requests Could Delay House Hearings

A decision has not yet been made, but CNN has learned that the House committee scheduled to begin campaign finance hearings Wednesday is considering whether to postpone the first session.

Unexpectedly, after consulting with an attorney in California, the first witnesses, including the sister and a friend of former Democratic fund-raiser Charlie Trie, informed the committee they want immunity before they testify.

A California Democratic contributor also informed the committee he too would like immunity before testifying.

That was unexpected, committee sources said, because the prospective witnesses are not suspected of wrongdoing. But lawyers for the three worried that their testimony might reveal technical violations of campaign finance laws so they want immunity.

The immunity process takes time. Wednesday's hearing, which was to feature opening statements from all 45 committee memebers, is likely to be called off, and Thursday's hearing could turn into a business meeting to discuss immunity.

In Other News:

Tuesday Sept. 16, 1997

• Coffee Attendee Says Huang Made Pitch For Funds
• House Fund-Raising Hearings Delayed
• Clinton To Announce His Tobacco Pact Changes Wednesday
• Republicans Focus On IRS Reform
• Clinton Marks CIA's 50th Anniversary
• Interest Groups Spent A Bundle On '96 Campaign Ads

E-mail From Washington:
• Reno Shakes Up Justice Probe
• Whitman Spending Millions In Re-election Bid
• Immunity Requests Could Delay House Hearings