But prosecutors feared that he might transmit threats to potential witnesses.

"Many prosecutors fear we will open the floodgates," Mr. Neufeld said.

He was also convicted under a health care fraud statute that many prosecutors, unfamiliar with its use, had feared trying.

Much of what the governor has proposed is not what the prosecutors fear most.

But prosecutors now fear the anti-Mafia drive may be threatened by faltering political will in Rome.

He said prosecutors feared the three men might flee if they knew the Goverment was closing in on them.

A suspended county judge who prosecutors said used favors and fear to reign over a courthouse has been convicted of bribery and corruption.

The official, who asked not to be identified, said prosecutors had feared that the indictment, if unsealed earlier, might have interfered with Ms. Buck's trial.

Those prosecutors fear that any broad privilege would make it more difficult to conduct investigations and bring cases, particularly public corruption cases involving Government officials.

Police officers are rarely questioned soon after committing potentially criminal acts because prosecutors fear jeopardizing their cases.