Fund-Raising Probers Subpoena 14 Banks

Fourteen banks and thrifts got subpoenas Wednesday from the Senate committee investigating alleged irregularities in political fund-raising.

The Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, headed by Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., requested records on individuals and organizations whose contributions to the Democratic National Committee were returned or "raised questions concerning the source of funds." The identities of the individuals were not made public.

Among those subpoenaed was Lippo Bank of Los Angeles, owned by the Indonesian company at the heart of the fund-raising inquiry.

Former Commerce Department official and Democratic fund-raiser John Huang was once an executive with the parent Lippo Group. The Democratic National Committee was forced to return hundreds of thousands of dollars in contributions solicited by Mr. Huang.

Other institutions getting subpoenas included First Virginia Bank, Falls Church; First Union Bank of Virginia, Hollins; Riggs National Bank, Washington; Boatmen's National Bank of Arkansas, Little Rock; California Federal Bank, Los Angeles; Chevy Chase (Md.) Bank; and Sumitomo Bank of California, Los Angeles.

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