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Nir Colla a FD-350 (Rev. 10-19-77) ic ” ~ (Mount Clipping in Space Below) od WASHINGTON (AP) — Rep.. Richard Kelly of Florida, implicated in the FBI bribery investigation, resigned today from the House Republican Conference; saying he wanted to “‘save the Republican Party from ‘an action. that would: not be appropriate.” — ference’— the organization of all GOP Republicanteaders to expel Kelly from the conferencel because of his admittedaccep- tance of $25,000 from FBI agents posin as Arab representatives. *GOP leaders ‘said Kelly, in a seven: “aplomb” and was “‘in good spirits.” Kelly, the only’ Republican among eight members” of” ‘Congress «who were im- licated in the FBI undercover ‘operation, said he would:not accept any, more cam- ipaign ‘contributions from’ the ‘House oo Congressional Committee. eS House leaders had récommended he be deprived: Of any ‘fafure campaign furids ~ from that source. Kelly. préviously had réceived’ $4, 000 fron the Republican committee and, was ‘eligible for an additional $6,000. House GOP Leader John J. Rhodes of Arizona said theReépublican debate onKel- Ty dic id ot déal with the question of his guilt = rfor cast-serious: ‘doubt: whether: ‘the-con-| gressman’ in fact ‘Should continue | é to serve] | r ‘innocence but only or whether hjs‘a¢- cepting thé $25,000 wasaviolationof House- ‘nical standads, Kelly has: said he ack sce, "(Rhodes Said, " Implicated Kelly Resigns From-GOP > Conference ‘Kelly’s move halted debaté by the con-- House members, -- on a motion; by: minute address, handled himself with: cepted. the money: as:part of his own in- vestigation into possible wrongdoing. ‘Kelly’ sresignation {from theconference, wl “which sets policy for House Republicans, e doesnotaffect his commitee assignments, his right, tovote inthe House’ orhis right to campaign for re- -election as a Republican. Commenting on Kelly's» resignation; Speaker Thomas: P. ‘O!Neill,- 1a M ssachusetts, :Democrat,; -said-.the ublican “apparently never heard of dueprocess: No Dentocrat has bee! \charg: ed ‘with any:\ wrongdoing; | I don't now if any Republican t has been." “Neither Kelly, nor the seven other. mem- bers of: Congress: mentioned in’the-FBI’S bribery inquiry! has been formally charged with any wrongdoing:, “Federal grand juries are looking at the * évidenceand J ustice Departmént ‘officials: Say a decision on whether: to charge: any of the- eight could- come ‘in ‘about three months. ° *-House- Repubjian. Leader Joni ‘Rhodes, R-Ariz., said the ‘recommendation t that’ thie _ «party ‘organization | deal’ with Kelly's $s case “was made. because. “Congressman: Kelly, “has admitted ° in n public that: hée_ réceived funds” fom tie, FBI agents. * ““It'was our feeling that: the‘admiésion that he received funds was serious énough ‘asa member. of the’ Repoblican ‘conferen- pease aetvesacen an ie FE (Indicate page, name of newspaper, city and state.) Page 2 "Richmond News Leader" —Richmond, Va. Date: Edition: 2/21/80 Evening Title: ARBSCAM Character: o 87-15542-39 Classification: ; Submitting Office: Richmond FBI/DOJ