Investigators: Torricelli donors may have links to organized crime

NEW YORK (AP) - Two men who made donations to the legal defense fund for Sen. Robert Torricelli may have links to organized crime, according to published reports.

Peter and Frank DiTommaso each gave $5,000 to the New Jersey lawmaker's fund. They own the New Jersey-based construction firm Interstate International Corporation, and New York City officials have been investigating the firm for possible mob connections.

City officials suspended $85 million in contracts with the company last year because of the allegations.

A spokeswoman for Torricelli said the senator has not met the brothers and did not know of the allegations until contacted by a reporter. Debra DeShong said Torricelli's lawyers were looking into the reports.

''The senator's attorneys are currently looking into these charges,'' she told The New York Times for Saturday's editions. ''And if there are any ethical concerns, the money will be returned.''

The New York Post first reported the donations Friday.

The legal defense fund was created to pay bills from the federal investigation into Torricelli's personal and political finances. Torricelli has vigorously proclaimed his innocence, and support for the senator remains strong among New Jersey Democrats. But some party leaders are reportedly concerned about the continuing investigation.

The New York Times recently reported that Torricelli waged a behind-the-scenes effort to help David Chang, a New Jersey businessman, in his attempt to buy one of South Korea's largest insurance companies.

Torricelli has previously said he did nothing out of the ordinary to help Chang, a campaign donor who has admitted making illegal contributions and is now cooperating with federal investigators. Chang has pleaded guilty to making $53,700 in improper donations to Torricelli's 1996 Senate campaign. Federal investigators have also explored whether Torricelli only partially reimbursed Chang for charter flights he provided the campaign.

The New Jersey businessman is among seven people who have pleaded guilty to making illegal donations to Torricelli's 1996 campaign.

-- Anonymous, April 28, 2001