Reply #7: RC: Frist Predicts Full Exoneration (Is the fix in???)

[MADem]

http://www.rollcall.com/issues/51_37/news/10880-1.html (subscription required)

Frist Predicts Full Exoneration
Majority Leader Breaks Silence on HCA Probes

By Paul Kane
Roll Call Staff


October 19, 2005

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) said Tuesday he is providing federal investigators documents related to his sales of stock in his family’s hospital chain “as fast as possible” and predicted he would be completely exonerated in the case.

In his first extended question-and-answer session with reporters in almost a month, Frist pledged his full cooperation with the two entities probing his stock transaction, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the U.S. Attorney’s office in Manhattan. Frist, who received an SEC subpoena for personal financial documents earlier this month, declined to specify when or if he will be interviewed by investigators. ........

“I acted properly, and I want this information to get out and let this process work. I’m not asking for special treatment. I’m just asking for fair treatment,” said Frist...Other than fielding brief questions as he’s briskly moved through the Capitol hallways, Frist had not responded to queries about the issue since the investigations were first announced, sending out his lieutenants to the press briefings...Frist had not done any other press conferences since the scandal broke, although he did engage in a bit of campaign activity over the weeklong recess, prompting a report in the Miami Herald that Frist aides misdirected a reporter in order for the Majority Leader to avoid questions....As such, Tuesday marked Frist’s initial time answering questions from reporters on the issue, during which he mainly stuck to the themes he outlined weeks ago in his first public statements in the Crypt.

“I am cooperating fully with the inquiry that is under way. As I said, I am cooperating at every point. I am absolutely confident of the outcome,” Frist said Tuesday. ....