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This file concerns Ronald Harmon Brown, then chairman of the Democratic National Committee and a partner at Patton, Boggs, during his consideration for appointment as U.S. Secretary of Commerce. A January 1993 FBI Level I background investigation for the President-Elect's office reviewed Brown's education, military service, employment, financial and law-enforcement checks, and interviews with 46 associates. The background summary discusses press and Center for Public Integrity allegations of conflicts of interest and political cronyism connected to Brown's business and law-firm activities, while stating that the inquiry developed no indication of illegal activity. Miami records from February 1993 seek approval for a full investigation of allegations of corruption, bribery, and possible Hobbs Act violations involving Brown, and later property-control forms show the handling of grand-jury material in August and September 1993. Many pages, names, and investigative details were withheld under privacy, grand-jury, and other exemptions.

Documents span: 1992-1993 | Released in 2 parts
Names in this file: Ronald Harmon Brown, Larry A. Potts, Sharon Pratt Dixon, Marion Barry Jr., Edward Kennedy
Subjects: background investigation, Secretary of Commerce, public corruption, Hobbs Act, conflict of interest, grand jury