Reno Rejects Independent Counsel

Attorney General Janet Reno declined Monday to order an independent counsel investigation of President Clinton over 1996 campaign financing.

Following a 90-day preliminary investigation, Reno advised a special court that ``there are no reasonable grounds to believe that further investigation is warranted'' into the involvement of Clinton and Vice President Al Gore in Democratic Party-financed issue advertisements run during the 1996 election.

``I find by clear and convincing evidence a lack of knowing and willful criminal intent required for criminal prosecution,'' Reno wrote. She based that on the fact that Clinton and Gore were advised by legal counsel that the advertising campaign complied with the law.

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