Condit Faces Growing Problems By Matt Pyeatt CNSNews.com Staff Writer August 27, 2001

(CNSNews.com) - Amidst possible action by his own political party and rising distrust among local voters, Democratic Congressman Gary Condit is now facing a criminal complaint.

A lawsuit filed in Condit's California district cites obstruction of justice in the investigation into the disappearance of Washington intern Chandra Levy, according to a statement by the legal watchdog group Judicial Watch, which is involved in the action.

Judicial Watch and attorney James Robinson filed the lawsuit Monday morning at the Stanislaus County Superior Courthouse on behalf of Anne Marie Smith, a flight attendant who claims the California Democrat tried to coerce her into signing an affidavit denying that they had a sexual relationship. Condit has denied both the relationship and attempts to coerce Smith.

"This type of abhorrent behavior should be condemned and Mr. Condit should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

Smith claimed that she never signed the affidavit that Condit allegedly asked her to sign, but when representatives of Condit denied the existence of such a document, Smith produced a copy of the affidavit.

Monday's legal maneuvering represents new problems for Condit, who's faced growing criticism for the way he worked with investigators looking into the disappearance of Levy.

Levy was working as an intern for the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Washington, D.C. when she disappeared this spring.

Condit has been accused by the girl's parents of not fully cooperating with authorities, and police say Condit is not a suspect in the woman's disappearance.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

Answers

Chad Condit (Gary Condit's son) will be a guest on the Larry King show tonight.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

Thanks for the head's up, Maggie. I hope I'm awake to see it! This gets more and more interesting.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001

And now Davis is showing signs of leaving the ship:

With BC-CA--Condit-Missing Woman,Bjt

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Making his first public statement about the troubles of his longtime friend, Gov. Gray Davis on Monday said he is "disheartened" by Rep. Gary Condit's response to the disappearance of intern Chandra Levy.

Davis said he did not see Condit's televised interviews Thursday night, but said he is "disheartened that Congressman Condit did not speak out more quickly or more fully."

Davis and Condit, both Democrats, have been friends and political allies for years. Condit's son, Chad, works as Davis' Central Valley liaison, and Condit's daughter Cadee works in the Governor's office. Davis said both of the adult children "have been doing a wonderful job."

Davis said he and his wife, Sharon, have prayed for the Levy family.

"We pray for the Levys every night and we pray for Chandra's safe return," Davis said at a bill signing near Sacramento.

Condit, of Ceres, has admitted that he and the missing Washington, D.C., intern had a "close" relationship. But Democrats from Capitol Hill to California have criticized his performance during a media blitz last week as unapologetic and guarded

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2001