And they point out that Griffith answered "no" when asked if he had ever been sanctioned as an attorney, even though the D.C. bar had suspended his membership for failure to pay his dues.

Griffith said an administrative suspension for nonpayment of dues is not a sanction or reprimand for inappropriate behavior.

"It is not a disciplinary matter but an administrative one," he said.

Griffith's supporters say the allegations are nothing more than pretext for opposing a judge who is moral, religious and conservative.

"These issues are largely a charade," said Utah Republican Party Chairman Joe Cannon, who attended the hearing. "I have known Tom Griffith for 33 years and he is the model of the kind of guy you want as a judge."

Hatch also was effusive in praise of Griffith.

"This important court needs this good man to serve," he said.

But Leahy suggested Bush send the nomination back for reconsideration next year.

"Perhaps Mr. Griffith will take advantage of this time to utilize his next opportunity to gain admission to the Utah bar," he said.

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E-mail: spang@desnews.com