Ashcroft to Be in Senate Hot Seat on Use of State Staff

WASHINGTON — Atty. Gen.-designate John Ashcroft faces questioning this week by the Senate Judiciary Committee over allegations that he improperly used government employees in his 1984 campaign for Missouri governor.

Thomas A. Deuschle, who was administrative assistant when Ashcroft was Missouri’s attorney general, acknowledged in a sworn deposition in 1983 that he raised money, contacted supporters and contributors and performed other political duties during the working day from the state attorney general’s offices. Deuschle said those activities were in addition to his full-time state duties.

Ashcroft was deposed in the same proceedings, a civil lawsuit alleging that he had filed charges against a St. Louis oil company to gain favorable political publicity. On the advice of his lawyer, Ashcroft declined to answer questions about his fund-raising activities; the suit was later settled.

A 34-page plan prepared for Ashcroft’s 1984 campaign called for extensive use of state employees and facilities. Mindy Tucker, a spokeswoman for President-elect George W. Bush’s transition, said that neither Ashcroft nor members of his staff was familiar with the document and that any work was done during off hours or vacations.