Committee members heard testimony from Attorney General Reno on her reasons for deciding not to appoint an independent counsel to investigate Democratic campaign fund-raising abuses. Reno testified that the Justice Department investigation into possible illegal fund-raising activities and that she will appoint an independent counsel if it is necessary. She also refused to comment on Director Freeh’s and others reasons for their support of appointing an independent counsel. She also testified about charges that the Department of Justice hindered the investigation of Donald Smaltz, the independent counsel who investigated former Secretary of Agriculture Mike Espy.