Summary: In response to a congressional request, GAO investigated a former leader of the Nicaraguan Democratic Force's (NDF) allegations of improper Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) activities to determine whether any antilobbying restrictions applicable to CIA appropriations had been violated.
GAO interviewed a former member of the NDF Directorate concerning his allegations that CIA had advised NDF to lobby Congress to support appropriations for NDF and other anti-Nicaraguan Government personnel and noted his claims that: (1) CIA had advised NDF to lobby Congress for continued funding of their counterrevolution and had instructed it on how to win the necessary votes; (2) several NDF Directorate members worked mainly to lobby Congress; (3) only limited information and no documentation was available to support the allegations; (4) the names of involved CIA personnel were believed to be assumed; and (5) he did not participate in any actual lobbying efforts. GAO also interviewed an NDF spokesman and other members of the Directorate who stated that: (1) NDF had developed contacts with members of Congress expressing interest in Nicaragua; (2) no lobbying activities had occurred; (3) salaries and expenses were paid for by private funds; (4) neither CIA nor any other U.S. Government personnel advised NDF to lobby members of Congress; and (5) the allegations regarding lobbying activities were not true. GAO was unable to discuss the allegations with CIA or the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence because of the nature of the information. GAO concluded that, since it was unable to corroborate the allegations, it had no basis for referring the matter for possible prosecution.
