FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          AG
THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 1996                            (202) 616-2777
                                               TDD (202) 514-1888



             STATEMENT BY ATTORNEY GENERAL JANET RENO


     On June 18, 1996, The Office of Independent Counsel Kenneth
Starr advised me that it did not believe it had jurisdiction to
investigate further the circumstances under which the White House
obtained FBI background files in 1993-94.  I have concluded that it
would constitute a conflict of interest for the Department of
Justice itself to investigate a matter involving an interaction
between the White House and the FBI, a component of the Department
of Justice.

     Therefore, I have decided today to seek an expansion of Mr.
Starr's jurisdiction from the court, so that he may conduct that
further investigation.  Mr. Starr has advised me that he would
accept such jurisdiction if the court grants my petition.

                              # # #

96-290