The Senator also said that he was concerned about what he termed the apparent attempt by the company to stifle criticism through intimidation.

• Here be referred to lawsuits for libel and slander filed against a television network, a magazine. and others who have been critical of the company well as the pressure he claimed he'd been brought to bear on him personally.

"And finally. in what I consider to be outrageous conduct. a person representing himself as an attorney for American Family phoned a person active in Ohio politics to ask him for any derogatory information he might know about me," the senator said.

• Myles Ambrose, attorney for American Family. said that no one from the company had done such a thing or had authorized anyone to do so.

• Senator Metzenbaum replied: "Do you think this individual — a political adversary of mine — just created this story out of the blue?"