71.   Now, Reno is deciding whether to appoint an independent counsel to investigate the matter.

72.   Now he has been subpoenaed by Kenneth Starr, the independent counsel, to appear before the federal grand jury investigating the matter.

73.   Police said they are not investigating the matter as a crime.

74.   Pirro supports his account with a half dozen affidavits from officials and colleagues and says that the State Organized Crime Task Force investigated the matter and brought no charges.

75.   Robert Van Etten, special agent in charge of the New York Customs office said that Customs attaches were in Moscow investigating the matter.

76.   Republican lawmakers have pressured her to seek an independent prosecutor to investigate the matter, but she has refused.

77.   School board member David Tokofsky has repeatedly called for hiring an inspector general to investigate district matters.

78.   Republicans will argue that the evidence suggests the opposite and that the matter should be investigated further.

79.   She said the Justice Department is investigating the matter itself.

80.   Starr said he is continuing to investigate both matters and could pursue charges against lower-ranking officials.