$2 Million for Special Counsel Probes Sought
WASHINGTON — The Iran- contra scandal is having an impact on the federal budget even before Lawrence E. Walsh, the recently appointed independent counsel, officially sets up shop to investigate the affair. Justice Department officials, for the first time since independent counsels were established by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, are asking Congress for a supplemental appropriation of $2 million to fund the counsels’ operations.
The amount was requested because of the anticipated expense of Walsh’s broad inquiry along with the costs of two older investigations--the probe of conflict of interest allegations against former White House aide Michael K. Deaver and the false testimony allegation against former Assistant Atty. Gen. Theodore B. Olson.
Until now, no single probe by an independent counsel has run more than $350,000, but officials are prepared for the worst. In addition to the $2-million request, they are reserving another $1 million that had been designated for other department programs.
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