Orrin Hatch: “I am appalled by this debate. Relying on confidential documents, some of my colleagues have continued, in my opinion…”

“I am appalled by this debate. Relying on confidential documents, some of my colleagues have continued, in my opinion, the public smearing of Billy Dale. I am astonished that they would use such a tactic in the U.S. Senate, one that I think they have historically reserved for Presidential nominees and accused Communists. I have little doubt that some of my colleagues would have been tempted to read Billy Dale's tax returns and medical files into the Record if they thought it would advance their objective to win at any cost. I believe there is substantial evidence to suggest the decision of the Justice Department to indict Mr. Dale was tainted by a political context in which the case was referred to the Clinton Justice Department. I don't think anybody doubts that. No. 1, when the case first came to the Justice Department, prosecutors ignored information that there was insufficient evidence to prove that Mr. Dale had committed the crimes for which they were seeking to charge him. No. 2, my Democratic colleagues spoke of an FBI financial analysis that showed Mr. Dale was improperly moving Travel Office funds. This was directly refuted by an accountant that even the FBI used to train its agents. This important information was not reflected in the prosecution memo and was, therefore, not considered by the grand jury. No. 3, the audit my colleagues have referred to conducted by Peat Marwick after the Travel Office firings found no evidence of wrongdoing.”