(Adds comment from a Martin spokesman.)
By Fawn Johnson Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- The House Energy and Commerce Committee is ready to wrap up work on a year-long investigation into accusations that Federal Communication Commission Chairman Kevin Martin abused his power, and announced Friday that Martin and some of his staffers have been given the chance to be interviewed.
In letters sent Friday to Martin and several other FCC officials, Committee Chairman John Dingell, D-Mich., and Oversight Subcommittee Chairman Bart Stupak, D-Mich. invited them to meet with committee investigative staff next week.
FCC Spokesman Robert Kenny said Martin is considering the offer. "We received the letter offering interviews to the chairman and others, and we're reviewing it," Kenny said.
"We continue to cooperate with the committee and have already provided thousands of documents," Kenny added. By law, other FCC officials can participate in the investigation at their own discretion without fear of retribution.
The committee began the investigation into Martin last year, and it has interviewed dozens of current and former FCC employees, many of whom are unhappy with the way Martin runs the agency.
When the committee began the investigation, Dingell said the FCC under Martin doesn't conduct business in an open and fair manner and doesn't follow standard procedures.
"Since last week, the Committee staff has attempted to arrange an interview to provide you with an opportunity to comment personally on these matters," the letter to Martin said.
If Martin is unable to meet with the House staff next week, they will finalize their investigation report without his input, the letter said.
Similar letters were sent to FCC Chief of Staff Daniel Gonzalez, FCC Inspector General Kent Nilsson, FCC Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau Chief Derek Poarch, and Catherine Bohigian, a former aide for Martin who now works for Cablevision Systems Corp. (CVC).
-By Fawn Johnson, Dow Jones Newswires; 202-862-9263; fawn.johnson@dowjones.com
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(END) Dow Jones Newswires
November 14, 2008 16:56 ET (21:56 GMT)

Publié le 14 novembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones