National Desk
This article is from the archive of The New York Sun before the launch of its new website in 2022. The Sun has neither altered nor updated such articles but will seek to correct any errors, mis-categorizations or other problems introduced during transfer.

WASHINGTON
DELAY BOOKED ON CONSPIRACY, MONEY LAUNDERING CHARGES
Rep. Tom De-Lay turned himself in yesterday at the sheriff’s office and was fingerprinted, photographed, and released on $10,000 bail on conspiracy and money-laundering charges.
Accompanied by his attorney, Dick DeGuerin, the former House majority leader showed up about midday, appeared before a judge, and was gone in less than 30 minutes, sheriff’s Lieutenant John Martin said.
“Now Ronnie Earle has the mug shot he wanted,” Mr. DeGuerin said, referring to the Travis County district attorney who brought the charges. Mr. DeLay and his lawyer have accused the district attorney of trying to make headlines for himself.
Later yesterday, the defense asked Judge Bob Perkins to step aside and for the trial to be moved out of Travis County. Judge Perkins has donated to causes and people opposed to Mr. DeLay, and his impartiality might be questioned, the motion said.
– Associated Press
NEW HAMPSHIRE SENATOR WINS THE LOTTERY
In a just and equitable society, Senator Gregg, a Republican of New Hampshire, would be the last person who should win the lottery.
But to heck with just and equitable. The chairman of the Senate Budget Committee – a lawyer who lists between $2.5 million and $9 million in assets on his financial disclosure form – added another 853,492 smackers yesterday thanks to a little friend called Powerball.
“I’m truly deserving,” declared the senator, who was one of 49 people across the country to win second place in a drawing Wednesday night. He collected his winnings yesterday at the District of Columbia’s lottery claims center. “I feel this is the result of my ability and talent.” He said this over the phone so it could not be determined whether his tongue was in his cheek.
– The Washington Post
SENATE VOTES TO END CISNEROS PROBE
The Senate voted yesterday to order an end to an independent counsel investigation that began more than a decade ago involving the then-secretary of housing and urban development, Henry Cisneros.
During debate on an appropriations bill, the Senate adopted an amendment offered by Senator Grassley, a Republican of Iowa, and Senator Dorgan, a Democrat of North Dakota, that requires a court to release the report on the investigation within 60 days. The lawyer running the probe, David Barrett, would have 45 days beyond that to close his office.
The report was completed in August 2004, but Mr. Grassley said it was waylaid by “foot dragging” by attorneys for people who were caught up in the inquiry. “It is lawyers of individuals named in the report who have been engaged in one sole pursuit to drag every inch of the way, filing every motion they can, to delay, delay, and delay,” Mr. Grassley said on the Senate floor.
“I’ve always understood that appointment to the Supreme Court were for a lifetime, but an appointment to be independent counsel is not. It’s time for this to end,” said Mr. Dorgan, who noted that the probe has cost nearly $22 million.
Attorneys for Mr. Cisneros did not respond to requests for comment yesterday. In 1999, the former cabinet official pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of making a false statement to the FBI about payments he made to a mistress. He was later pardoned by President Clinton.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun
DEMOCRATS TO FORCE VOTE ON POST-KATRINA WAGE WAIVER
House Democrats moved yesterday to force a House vote on overturning President Bush’s decision to waive wage standards on federally-funded work in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina.
In September, Mr. Bush waived provisions of the so-called Davis-Bacon law, which requires federal contractors to pay a prevailing wage to all construction workers. The president’s action angered labor unions, which are strong proponents of the prevailing wage requirement.
Rep. George Miller, a Democrat of California, said he filed a rare, privileged resolution yesterday to restore the wage minimums. “The president has exploited a national tragedy to cut workers’ wages, a long-sought goal among his right-wing cronies,” Mr. Miller said.
Under the National Emergencies Act of 1976, the House will be required to vote on the resolution within 15 days. If the measure passes, the Senate must also take it up within 15 days.
Mr. Bush, who could veto any congressional action, said suspending the wage minimums would allow for more reconstruction work and create additional jobs in hurricane-ravaged communities.
– Staff Reporter of the Sun