WASHINGTON, Nov. 26 (UPI) -- Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, says a preliminary inquiry into a Senate Judiciary Committee leak indicates it may have come from a GOP staffer.
"I am mortified that this improper, unethical and simply unacceptable breach of confidential files may have occurred on my watch," Hatch told reporters in Washington. "Each senator has an expectation of receiving confidential, candid advice from his or her staff members."
Hatch, the chairman of the committee said at least one GOP committee staffer may have "improperly accessed at least some of the documents" and a former Republican committee staffer "may also have been involved," the Washington Post reported.
The Republican staffer has denied the charge and has been put on administrative leave with pay as the investigation continues.
Hatch ordered the leak inquiry after Democrats complained some of their memos critical of President George W. Bush's judicial nominees had been taken from a Democratic staffer's computer and leaked to the media.
At least two newspapers have published the contents of the files.
