News Staff

The White House on Friday rejected a request to create a $50 million compensation fund for Columbine victims.

"I'm bitterly disappointed," said Walter Gerash, a Denver attorney who filed thea request to replace lawsuits by victims.

"We have no recourse but to file suit against the sheriffs for civil rights violations."

The fund would require congressional approval, the White House said. But Gerash said other funds are available.

"The anti-terrorist act has a section for crime victims," he said. "If this isn't a terrorist act, I don't know what is."

President Clinton can also tap into the emergency fund for disaster relief.

"They should be treating it as a human disaster," Gerash said.