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CNN Live Saturday

Police May Interview California Congressman Again in Missing Intern Case

Aired July 07, 2001 - 12:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DONNA KELLEY, CNN ANCHOR: We start with the Chandra Levy missing persons story. We want to get to that for you. CNN's national correspondent, Bob Franken, is in Washington with details for us -- Bob.

BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, Donna, we are being told by a variety of police officials that it's quite likely that there will be a third interview of Congressman Gary Condit. Condit, of course, has become the key figure in the search for Chandra Levy. Chandra Levy, the 24-year-old former Washington intern. She interned for the Bureau of Prisons, but disappeared at the end of April or in early May, has not been seen now for about nine weeks.

And of course, the investigation has gained so much prominence because of one report after another that Congressman Condit and Chandra Levy had a romantic relationship, which up until now is something has been repeatedly denied by Congressman Gary Condit.

Now, it has gone far afield. Investigators are really split on whether they believe that, in fact, there was a relationship that the two had, but they're interested in finding out anything the congressman can tell them, which might contribute to their knowledge about the whereabouts of Chandra Levy. And in that regard, we're told by investigative sources they are really subpoenaing all the records that they would possibly need.

They've subpoenaed medical records, found nothing which would lead them to understanding what happened to Chandra Levy. They've subpoenaed telephone records of Chandra Levy. We've learned they have subpoenaed cellular telephone records of Congressman Gary Condit, just trying to see what kind of relationship there was and what relevance it might have to the investigation -- Donna.

KELLEY: Bob, any plans for the congressman to come out and have any more statements or any comments from him? I know he has not thus far because he didn't believe that that would help the investigation, but have you heard anything that there are any plans for him to talk or perhaps his attorneys?

FRANKEN: Well, first of all, let's be fair. He has in fact made statements. He just hasn't made them on television.

KELLEY: Right. FRANKEN: On a variety of occasions, he has put out a statement, mostly saying that he needs to, in fact, cooperate about with authorities, is willing to do so and does want to get involved into what and he and his public relations people and his lawyers say is a media frenzy, that the focus should be on Chandra Levy.

Any indication that he's going go on television and submit to questions? Quite the contrary. He's gotten advice from lot of his associates, saying that sooner or later you're going to have to do this, but he's also gotten advice that he's been taking, that there's no way that you can win in a situation like that.

I would point out that Condit has never been somebody who has been aggressive about going on television during his long career in Congress.

KELLEY: And you're right. Certainly, he has made statements, written statements. You know you touched on it, has he hired a public relations firm or has he had those folks all along when he's been a congressman?

FRANKEN: No, this is really remarkable when you remember that this is really a missing persons search for somebody, a disappearance. That is what this investigation is about. It has evolved into quite the Washington-like story, quite the Washington-like case, complete now with on all sides well-known Washington lawyers who are adept at maneuvering through the public relations matters and well-known Washington public relations people who coordinate the strategy.

Abbe Lowell and Billy Martin are the lawyers. Billy Martin is the attorney for the Levy family. He has been hired and he's also hired his own investigators. And the Levy family has made it clear it believes there was a romantic relationship and has hired a public relations firm that is promoting that belief into the public arena.

KELLEY: OK, Bob Franken in Washington. Thanks, we'll see you shortly.

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