Grand jury subpoenas documents from Rep. Condit in investigation of missing woman

Thursday, November 15th 2001, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WASHINGTON (AP) _ Rep. Gary Condit has received a grand jury subpoena for undisclosed documents related to the disappearance of federal intern Chandra Levy, his lawyer said Thursday.

The disclosure is the first public indication in months that the investigation of Levy's May 1 disappearance remains active.

Condit, D-Calif., provided the first word of the subpoena, from the District of Columbia Superior Court, in a communication read by a clerk Thursday morning on the House floor. Members are required to report when they receive subpoenas.

Condit said he was considering whether to comply.

Abbe Lowell, Condit's lawyer, issued a statement later saying the congressman would provide the documents. Lowell did not disclose what the grand jury is seeking.

``Issuing a subpoena was not necessary,'' Lowell said. ``However, whatever the reasons were for its issuance, Congressman Condit and his office will, as they have in the past, provide the information law enforcement seeks.''

Levy, 24, of Modesto, Calif., disappeared shortly after the end of an internship at the Bureau of Prisons in Washington. Condit, 53 and married, publicly acknowledged a close relationship with her but has denied any involvement in her disappearance.

Police have said repeatedly they do not consider Condit a suspect in the case. Police interviewed Condit four times, searched his Washington apartment, took a DNA sample and examined phone and other records.

During one of the interviews, Condit admitted to an affair with Levy, a police source has said.

Federal law enforcement officials have said they were examining whether Condit and his aides may have obstructed the search for Levy by asking other women who alleged affairs with the congressman not to cooperate with police.

Condit and his aides have denied attempting to silence anyone.

Sgt. Joe Gentile, a Washington police spokesman, said Thursday that police still classify the case as a missing person investigation.

Condit, who has represented the agriculture-rich 18th District in central California since 1989, has not said whether he will seek re-election. He must decide by Dec. 7.