New Campaign-Finance Evidence?

The New York Times reports a top Justice Department prosecutor is preparing a report for Attorney General Janet Reno with new evidence concerning allegations of campaign-finance abuses.

The Times quotes sources who say prosecutor Charles LaBella hasn't decided whether to recommend the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate President Clinton and Vice President Gore's fundraising activities.

But it says LaBella has told Republican senators that in the past he had urged Reno to appoint a prosecutor to look into Gore and Clinton's fundraising phone calls. Reno has rejected such advice, despite intense pressure from Republican lawmakers.

The Times says LaBella's report will likely shed new light on how much the probe has been aided by fundraiser Johnny Chung. Officials told the paper Chung has provided valuable new evidence.