By Dan Balz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 11, 1998; Page A16

House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.) reaffirmed his intention to pay off the $300,000 penalty he was assessed by the House as a result of the ethics investigation that ended when he was reprimanded by his colleagues in early 1997.

Gingrich has made an initial payment of $100,000, with a second payment of $50,000 due early next month.

According to the payment schedule he worked out with the House, the final payment of $150,000 will be due in June.

Christina Martin, Gingrich's press secretary, issued a statement yesterday after inquiries about the status of the payments. Citing Gingrich's pledge on April 17, 1997, to repay the House for the legal costs of the investigation, she said: "The speaker remains totally committed to that pledge. Using personal funds, the speaker will make his final payments toward the reimbursement on time and in full prior to leaving office."

Gingrich has indicated he will not serve out the term to which he was just elected.

At the time the penalty was assessed, Gingrich accepted the offer of a loan from former senator Robert J. Dole (R-Kan.) to help meet the terms of the payment schedule. He has since said he will not need to make use of the loan.