DEXTER FILKINS And JEFF LEEN Herald Staff Writers

U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno has promised to determine the role played by one of her aides in the contested Hialeah election. State and federal authorities are investigating alleged voting fraud. "I will double-check and make sure that absolutely every allegation is reviewed," Reno told reporters in a briefing this week. "I will take whatever action is appropriate."

Reno made the remarks following an article in The Miami Herald in which a Hialeah woman said her absentee ballot in the Nov. 9 election had been forged. The ballot was witnessed by Lula Rodriguez, a Reno aide.

The election returned felon Raul Martinez to the mayor's office. Martinez beat opponent Nilo Juri thanks to a 2-1 margin in absentee ballots. Nuri has sued Martinez, claiming that Martinez benefited from voter fraud.

The Martinez camp has denied wrongdoing. Rodriguez says she did nothing wrong. Rodriguez, the sister-in-law of Martinez, helped briefly in the campaign when she came to Hialeah to offer moral support for her sister.

The Herald story detailed the account of Mercedes Rodriguez, a Hialeah resident and Martinez supporter. Mercedes Rodriguez is not related to Lula Rodriguez.

Mercedes Rodriguez said Martinez campaign workers came to her house Nov. 3 and had her sign a request for an absentee ballot.

Travel documents show Mercedes Rodriguez flew to the Dominican Republic the next day and did not return until this month. County documents show that her ballot was released to a Martinez campaign worker the day after she departed and was returned with her purported signature a few days later. Lula Rodriguez, the Reno aide, said she did not check the IDs of people whose ballots she witnessed. Reno said Thursday the matter is being investigated by the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility.

"I've asked for a thorough, effective investigation completed as soon as possible," Reno said.