11.   But Rick Chivaro, chief counsel to state Controller Kathleen Connell, said a constitutional provision allows schools to be paid without a budget.

12.   But Shawn Roberts, chief legal counsel for the group, said US officials have responded half-heartedly.

13.   But the chief counsel for Brdjanin, John Ackerman, who is based in Texas, wanted more.

14.   But the chief disciplinary counsel for the Texas bar who oversaw the ruse, James M. McCormick, defended the action as the only way to enforce the rules.

15.   But the chief counsel rejected all such charges.

16.   But the IRS chief counsel, Stuart L. Brown, gets professional help with his return, as does Dave Mader, the chief of management and administration.

17.   But under sharp questioning from lawmakers, she conceded that she had no independent verification beyond the assurances of Charles Ruff, the chief counsel.

18.   Cellucci is awaiting a report from his chief legal counsel, Len Lewin, on the matter.

19.   Cheryl Williams, chief counsel with the Department of Transportation in Washington, did not return a call for comment.

20.   Cary Sherman, chief counsel to the RIAA, was disappointed that he lost the battle to stop the Rio from shipping.