Senator from N.J. is rebuked on ethics

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Ethics Committee on Tuesday "severely admonished" Democratic Sen. Robert Torricelli of New Jersey for accepting gifts from a campaign contributor and businessman that the lawmaker aided.

Torricelli quickly accepted the committee's findings and, in a contrite statement on the Senate floor, apologized for "lapses of judgment."

"I want my colleagues in the Senate to know that I agree with the committee's conclusions, fully accept their findings and take full personal responsibility," he said.

The allegations against Torricelli have figured prominently in the campaign of Republican Douglas Forrester, who hopes to oust the first-term lawmaker this fall.

"Your actions and failure to act led to violations of Senate rules -- and related statutes -- and created at least the appearance of impropriety," the committee said in three-page letter to Torricelli.

The six-member panel -- three Republicans and three Democrats -- chaired by Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said it was "troubled by incongruities, inconsistencies and conflicts, particularly concerning actions taken by you which were or could have been of potential benefit" to David Chang, a former friend and supporter of Torricelli.

Chang, Torricelli's chief accuser, is serving an 18-month prison sentence for making illegal donations to Torricelli's 1996 Senate campaign.

The letter is among the punishments the ethics committee can mete out without seeking the consent of the full Senate.

Under Senate ethics rules, the committee may issue a public or private letter of admonition after a preliminary inquiry that uncovers an inadvertent or technical violation.

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