Chafee Staffer Admits Sending E-Mail
2006-11-02
Source: Associated Press
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rss feedA staffer for Republican Sen. Lincoln Chafee was suspended without pay Wednesday for distributing e-mails criticizing Chafee's Democratic challenger using a Senate computer, a violation of Senate rules.
Lammis Vargas, 25, an assistant in Chafee's office in Providence, was suspended after admitting she sent at least four e-mails critical of Democrat Sheldon Whitehouse.
"My campaign had no knowledge of this action," Chafee said in a statement. "I will not tolerate use of government equipment for improper purposes."
The e-mails did not break any laws but clearly violated rules prohibiting Senate equipment from being used for political purposes, Chafee spokesman Stephen Hourahan said. He said Chafee authorized the suspension.
The e-mails began Monday, a little more than a week before the Nov. 7 election. Polls show Whitehouse apparently leading Chafee, although still within the margin of error. Democrats hope a victory in Rhode Island will help take a majority in the Senate.
Vargas sent e-mails critical of Whitehouse for his work as attorney general in two cases. One case involved a teenage witness in a murder trial who was killed and another a man who was shot by a police officer.
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