NYPost

TORRICELLI: HILL KNOWS MY ANGUISH

By ANDY SOLTIS

April 25, 2001 -- Embattled New Jersey Sen. Robert Torricelli told fellow Democrats yesterday he was the victim of false charges - and said only Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton could fully understand what he’s going through.

After the meeting, a Clinton aide said: "The senator and her colleagues are sympathetic toward Sen. Torricelli and what’s he’s going through."

Other senators present applauded him after his fervent self-defense, sources told The Associated Press. Inside the room, and then later talking to reporters, Torricelli insisted he had received "no illegal gifts" from New Jersey businessman David Chang, and blasted leaks to the press about the investigation.

Chang has pleaded guilty to making $53,700 in improper donations to Torricelli’s 1996 Senate campaign.

Torricelli’s spokeswoman, Debra DeShong, confirmed that he addressed the senators, but she refused comment on what was said.

-- Anonymous, April 25, 2001