"Many institutions have their own special rules with regard to criminal violations."

But officials said they were not suspected of criminal violations.

Police were investigating what happened to the money in a search for criminal violations of the law.

If there turn out to have been any criminal violations, they should be dealt with severely.

Her agency is looking into the possibility of civil and criminal violations at Enron, she said.

"Today I can look at the conduct and assess whether it would cause a criminal violation," he said.

Justice officials say there is no evidence of criminal violations by the two lawmakers.

The maximum penalty for a criminal violation is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Questions on criminal violations, they added, are always referred to prosecutors.

"You know, I'm not even sure it's a criminal violation."