Pentagon Lawyer to Be No. 2 at Justice Dept.

ATTORNEY General Janet Reno is expected to name Jamie Gorelick, the Pentagon's top lawyer, to the No. 2 post in the Justice Department.

Ms. Gorelick prepared William Perry for his Senate confirmation hearings for the post of secretary of Defense. It was a task she also undertook in coaching Ms. Reno for her nomination, and reportedly was deeply impressed with the attorney general.

At the Pentagon, Gorelick worked closely on the administration's policy on homosexuals in the military. She won praise from members of the armed-services committees for her straightforward testimony on the issue.

Before going to the Pentagon, Gorelick was president of the District of Columbia Bar and, in private practice, represented such clients as General Electric Company and National Public Radio. In 1988, she was an adviser to Michael Dukakis's presidential campaign.

The job of deputy attorney general was left vacant in January by the resignation of Philip Heymann. Clinton ups quake aid

Just weeks after approving the nation's biggest disaster-aid package, President Clinton plans to offer new loan guarantees to help earthquake-affected California communities find the money needed to qualify for that assistance.

An administration official said the president will offer $530 million in new loan guarantees to Los Angeles, Santa Monica, Los Angeles County, Ventura County, and other communities. The aid would be used for such purposes as housing assistance and to repair public buildings, schools, roads, and hospitals. Mr. Clinton this month approved $8.6 billion in earthquake relief, which federal officials said was the nation's most-costly relief package.

The Jan. 17 quake has been blamed for 61 deaths and property damage estimated at $20 billion. NASA sting bags nine

ONE firm and nine men, including two National Aeronautics and Space Administration employees, were charged Tuesday with taking bribes, trading inside information, and soliciting bribes during a Federal Bureau of Investigation sting operation focused on the Johnson Space Center.

United States Attorney Gaynelle Griffin Jones said more charges against others are expected. The defendants were not considered flight risks, she said. Operation Lightning Strike, which started with tips from contractors and NASA employees, was carried out while NASA was under fire for cost overruns and contract abuse.