NATION : Ethics Panel Begins Wright Review

WASHINGTON —  The House ethics committee convened today for a review of its special counsel’s report on alleged ethics violations against Speaker Jim Wright, and the panel’s chairman said the discussion could last two weeks.

The outside counsel, Richard J. Phelan, began presenting his 450-page report to committee members and explaining the findings of the inquiry that began last June. Wright’s lawyer, William C. Oldaker, was present and would be allowed to present opposing views, said chairman Julian Dixon (D-Calif.). The 12 members of the ethics committee--six Democrats and six Republicans--have been asked to clear their calendars for the next two weeks to participate in the closed-door deliberations.