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CNN Saturday Morning News

Condit Scandal Continues

Aired July 28, 2001 - 07:00   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.
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR: We begin where we have so often recently, with the search for Chandra Levy. It has been nearly three months since the former government intern vanished. Investigators launched one of the most intense searches Washington has seen, and in the process uncovered a scandal involving Gary Condit.

The California congressman has talked to police a fourth time now, and CNN's Bob Franken has the details on that.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BOB FRANKEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The House Agricultural Committee hearing dragged into Thursday night, but as members prepared to break for dinner, Congressman Gary Condit had other plans.

Shortly before 7:00, Condit slipped out through the underground garage of the Rayburn House Office Building. He eluded the crush of cameras and headed across town to the office of his attorney, Abbe Lowell. Waiting for him were FBI and police investigators.

CHIEF CHARLES RAMSEY, D.C. METROPOLITAN POLICE: We're not going to talk about the details of what was discussed. All cards are still on the table in terms of interviews and other people that we're talking to, and we're just going to continue to pursue this case.

FRANKEN: Sources tell CNN the nearly 90-minute session focused largely on gathering information for a detailed profile of Chandra Levy. Since Condit, according to police sources, has admitted to an intimate relationship with the 24-year-old former Washington intern, investigators had sought this fourth interview hoping he might have some valuable insights into Levy's behavior, information that could help authorities find her.

Back in Levy's home town of Modesto, California, her parents continued to pressure Condit.

SUSAN LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S MOTHER: As far as I know, her last phone calls seemed to be coming from specifically...

ROBERT LEVY, CHANDRA LEVY'S FATHER: It's Condit.

S. LEVY: With Condit. So -- and a good friend. If he's a good friend, he would come forward and care for that a good friend and a constituent is missing.

FRANKEN: Police recruits continued a tedious search through woodlands around Washington, areas where a body could be hidden. Once again, they came up empty. But police plan to try again Monday.

Various sources have put together $205,000 for information leading to Chandra Levy's safe return, and for the first time her father spoke publicly about the possibility that his daughter has been kidnapped.

R. LEVY: Just request that if anyone is holding Chandra, to find some way to let her go, and they can -- the reward can be arranged for them. And they won't be prosecuted if they let her go or...

FRANKEN (on camera): Investigators admit that Chandra Levy's whereabouts today are almost as much a mystery as when she disappeared nearly three months ago.

Bob Franken, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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