Ohio Democratic congressman James Traficant accused Attorney
            General Janet Reno of treason Monday night, saying he has
            evidence that she was blackmailed not to appoint an independent
            counsel to investigate the Clinton-Gore administration on
            Chinagate charges.

            Appearing on Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes," the Ohio
            Democrat announced that he has five affidavits from individuals
            who charge that Reno was repeatedly arrested for drunk driving
            in Florida during the 1980s, had sex with a lesbian call girl
            and got her job as Miami's state attorney through mob connections.

            Traficant, who predicted last month that Reno was about to
            indict him on corruption charges, suggested that Reno's
            encounter with the call girl had been captured on videotape.

            Critics of Traficant say the Congressman's comments on Reno are
            motivated by the fact he is the subject of an FBI/Justice Dept.
            probe of having received possible kickbacks.

            Supporters of Traficant say that the Congressman has been targeted
            by the Clinton White House and the FBI because of his criticism of federal
            handling of controversies such as the Vince Foster death, TWA 800 and Waco.

            The maverick congressman and frequent Clinton administration
            critic said the FBI learned about some of the damaging evidence
            on Reno during a 1993 background check prior to her appointment
            to attorney general. But he said he did not know whether the material
            was turned over to the Senate during her confirmation hearing.

            TRAFICANT: I have received several affidavits, and here's what
            these affidavits allege. I have done some cursory investigation
            and will follow up further myself on a limited budget. What I
            received was that Janet Reno was first appointed to Dade County
            state attorney, they call them state attorneys there, as a favor
            and a thank-you to the mob.

            Number two, she's a lesbian. And I really don't care about
            anybody's sexual preference ...

            COLMES: Well, what are you saying that for ...

            TRAFICANT: Hear me, hear me. This is an affidavit. This is an
            affidavit I'm speaking to and I want you to listen to me. 'Cause
            I don't really care about anybody's sexual preference.

            COLMES: Then why bring it up?

            TRAFICANT: Because it's in the affidavit, and listen to the salient points, Alan.

            Janet Reno had a relationship with a call girl who was associated with organized
            crime figures. And they have videotapes of this woman. Now hear me.
            Also you had five police officers stop Janet Reno for substance abuse,
            namely DUI - under the influence - willing to testify, never testified.

            Now, here's the point I'm making. Listen very carefully. I will
            be submitting FOIA requests. Because I believe Janet Reno in her
            failure to appoint an independent counsel, specifically on the
            threatening issue, the national security issue, China - she did
            so because of her blackmailability.

            I want to know why, and how long it took for the FBI to
            investigate, if they gave this information to the Senate, if the
            Senate knew about compromises they had from outside the
            government. They knew about her past history of alcoholism, her
            association with call girls. And they did interview several of
            the affiants that have in fact given me these affidavits. Now hold on.

            HANNITY: Hey, Congressman, well hold on one second. Let me ask a
            couple ... Let's clarify. You have just declared war tonight on Janet Reno.

            TRAFICANT: Yes, I have.

            HANNITY: You made some very severe allegations.
            You say you have affidavits. Who are these affidavits from?

            TRAFICANT: These affiants wish to remain anonymous, but they
            will testify in an open court or a congressional hearing of appropriate nature.

            HANNITY: You are saying she is associated, and that people will
            testify with evidence, that she was connected to the mob?

            TRAFICANT: Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying. And because of
            the fact - and I'm looking into this - I'm not throwing any
            darts at the president at this point or anybody. I want to know
            if the president got that information. I want to know the
            timespan from when the FBI went down and interviewed these
            affiants on these particular allegations, and how long it took
            for her to be confirmed.

            Janet Reno was one of the exceptions. They waved that 72-hour
            period from the hearing to the confirmation. And in a lovefest
            she became the attorney general, and I'm accusing the attorney
            general of treason right here.