Advisers say Condit is near public comment

By Bob Franken
CNN Washington Bureau

MODESTO, California (CNN) -- Rep. Gary Condit will break his public silence about missing intern Chandra Levy before Labor Day, staff members and advisers to the California Democrat have told CNN.

Advisers said their strategy would include a mass mailing to all of Condit's constituents along with media interviews.

Condit has been under fire because of his connection to Levy, a 24-year-old woman who disappeared from Washington more than three months ago.

Levy, who had recently completed an internship with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, was romantically involved with the 53-year-old married congressman, according to her family. Police sources say Condit admitted to an affair during one interview he had with law enforcement authorities. Condit has never publicly acknowledged -- or denied -- such a relationship.

EXTRA INFORMATION • Key players   • Interactive timeline   • Profile: Gary Condit     RESOURCES Message board: The case of the missing intern

Police say there is no evidence of foul play, no suspects and no hard leads to follow in their missing persons investigation. Through statements from his aides and lawyers, Condit has vigorously maintained he had nothing to do with Levy's disappearance and has no knowledge of her whereabouts.

A variety of Condit's colleagues and his hometown newspaper, the Modesto Bee, have called for the congressman to resign, saying he has been less than forthcoming about his involvement with Levy during the investigation.

"His self-absorption has been a lapse not only of judgment, but of human decency," the Bee editorialized. "With Levy's life at stake, Condit knowingly hindered -- if not obstructed -- the police investigation into her disappearance, letting the trail grow cold."

The missing intern

Condit's aides have insisted the congressman has no intentions of resigning.

The letters to constituents in California's 18th Congressional District are expected to go out "shortly before Condit is interviewed" in the media, the advisers and staffers told CNN.

Advisers are currently discussing a "combination of interviews," including at least one network interview and another with a local newspaper.

They said plans are "fluid" and that "who will do the interview, what form they will take and where they will happen is still being decided."