Reagan Nominee Admits Judgment Error in Aid Request

President Reagan’s nominee to a top energy post acknowledged Monday that he improperly sought help from White House and Interior Department officials when he was arrested by National Park

Police on charges of drunk driving.

“In both cases, it was highly inappropriate conduct,” Charles Trabandt told his former Senate bosses at a confirmation hearing on his nomination to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Trabandt served as chief staff counsel to the Senate Energy and National Resources Committee.

Trabandt answered the panel’s questions for almost two hours Monday about several drinking incidents and what some senators called his “abrasive” and “devious” style.

Committee Chairman James A. McClure (R-Ida.) said the questioning was “necessary in the collective judgment of the committee” because of the “speculation and innuendo” about an FBI report

detailing Trabandt’s record.

McClure said he hoped the committee and full Senate would vote on the nomination before the end of this week.