Word: ruff
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Gerald Ford was ebullient. With justifiable satisfaction, the President called a televised press conference-his first since February-to drive home the point that he had been cleared by Watergate Special Prosecutor Charles Ruff of any possible charge of illegality in the handling of his congressional campaign funds since 1964. 'The special prosecutor has finally put this matter to rest once and for all," declared Ford. Indeed, Ruff had said flatly: "The matter has now been closed...
...Vendetta. Ruffs clearing statement said that the FBI had examined records of the Michigan committees and the two unions, both of which are heavy political contributors (see ECONOMY & BUSINESS). Officials of those groups had been interviewed. At Ruffs request, Ford had supplied financial records and authorized Ruff to examine an audit of his finances for the years 1967-72 made by the Internal Revenue Service and the Congressional Joint Committee on Internal Revenue Taxation. Concluded Ruff: "The evidence developed during this investigation was not corroborative of the allegation on which it was predicated. Nor did evidence ... give reason to believe...
...part of the special prosecutor's investigation of Ford's use of previous campaign funds, Ruff last week also interrogated the Marine Engineers' union president, Calhoon, before a Washington grand jury. Ruff was most likely engaged in a prosecutorial practice known as "freezing testimony." This procedure puts a witness's sworn testimony into the record for possible later reference. Calhoon's responses before the grand jury may well have indicated Ford's innocence; if so, Ruff was nevertheless correctly carrying out his mandate by asking the questions in the forum...
...ironic?and potentially tragic ?effect of Ruffs punctilious performance of his duties was to leave the President possibly accused in the eyes of the public, with no certainty that all the accusations can be resolved in the few weeks before the election. Grand jury members and prosecutors are sworn to secrecy. Ruff cannot discuss any aspects of his investigation until it is completed. By removing the office of the special prosecutor from any political influence and making him responsible only to the charter under which he operates, Congress in effect required Ruff to continue to investigate even though...
...would be only a delaying action, that ultimately Ford would have to answer reporters' questions about the financial charges. But what more could he say? His aides had already explained his spending for the trip to Vail and the clothing in 1972. As for the maritime unions investigation, only Ruff could declare the President's innocence...