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ORDER OF APPOINTMENT

UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT

Division for the Purpose of Appointing Independent Counsels Ethics in Government Act of 1978, As Amended

In re: In re Alphonso Michael (Mike) Espy            Division No. 94-2

Order Appointing Independent Counsel

Before: SENTELLE, Presiding, and BUTZNER and SNEED, Senior Circuit Judges.

Upon consideration of the application of the Attorney General pursuant to 28 U. S. C. § 592 (1) (A) for the appointment of an independent counsel with authority to exercise all the power, authority and obligations set forth in 28 U.S.C. § 594, to investigate whether Alphonso Michael (Mike) Espy, Secretary of Agriculture, has committed a violation of any federal criminal law, other than a Class B or C misdemeanor or infraction, relating in any way to the acceptance of gifts by him from organizations or individuals with business pending before the Department of Agriculture; it is

ORDERED by the Court in accordance with the authority vested in it by 28 U.S.C. § 593(b) that Donald C. Smaltz Esquire, of the Pennsylvania and California bars, with offices at Smaltz & Anderson, 333 South Grand Ave., Suite 3580, Los Angeles, California 90071, be and is hereby appointed Independent Counsel with full power, independent authority, and jurisdiction to investigate to the maximum extent authorized by the Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 1994 whether Alphonso Michael (Mike) Espy, Secretary of Agriculture, has committed a violation of any federal criminal law, other than a Class B or C misdemeanor or infraction, relating in any way to the acceptance of gifts by him from organizations or individuals with business pending before the Department of Agriculture.

The Independent Counsel shall have jurisdiction and authority to investigate other allegations or evidence of violation of any federal criminal law, other than a Class B or C misdemeanor or infraction, by any organization or individual developed during the Independent Counsel's investigation referred to above and connected with or arising out of that investigation.

The Independent Counsel shall have jurisdiction and authority to investigate any violation of 28 U.S.C. § 1826 or any obstruction of the due administration of justice, or any material false testimony or statement in violation of federal criminal law, in connection with any investigation of the matters described above.

The Independent Counsel shall have jurisdiction and authority to seek indictments and to prosecute any organizations or individuals involved in any of the matters described above, who are reasonably believed to have committed a violation of any federal criminal law arising out of such matters, including organizations or individuals who have engaged in an unlawful conspiracy or who have aided or abetted any federal offense.

The Independent Counsel shall have all the powers and authority provided by the Independent Counsel 'Reauthorization Act of 1994. It is

FURTHER ORDERED by the Court that the independent Counsel as authorized by 28 U.S.C. § 594, shall have prosecutorial jurisdiction to fully investigate and prosecute the subject matter with respect to which the Attorney General requested the appointment of independent counsel, as hereinbefore set forth, and all matters and individuals whose acts may be related to that subject matter, inclusive of authority to investigate and prosecute federal crimes (other than those classified as Class B or C misdemeanors or infractions) that may arise out of the above described matter, including perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and intimidation of witnesses.

It further appearing to the Court in light of the Attorney General's motion heretofore made for the authorization of the disclosure of her application for this appointment pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 592(e) and of the ongoing public proceedings and interest in this matter, that it is in the best interests of justice for the identity and prosecutorial jurisdiction of the Independent Counsel to be disclosed,

IT IS SO ORDERED.

Per Curiam

For the Court

Ron Garvin, Clerk

 

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