Sen. Clinton's Financing in the Spotlight

[Algorem]

http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-clinton-fundraising-probe,0,6478284.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

Sen. Clinton's Financing in the Spotlight


By PAUL CHAVEZ
Associated Press Writer

May 8, 2005, 2:44 PM EDT


LOS ANGELES -- Campaign donations made more than four years ago at a celebrity-studded Hollywood gala have led to a federal criminal trial against a former finance director for Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton that could hamper her future campaigns.

The trial set to open Tuesday focuses on a lavish August 2000 political party at a tony Brentwood estate that drew dozens of A-list guests and performers, including Brad Pitt, Jennifer Aniston, Cher, Diana Ross and Muhammad Ali.

Clinton hasn't been linked to charges that the cost of the event was vastly underreported, but Republicans will be watching for any ammunition they can use against the Democrat, considered an early front-runner for the 2008 presidential nomination.

David Rosen, who was Clinton's finance director during her 2000 U.S. Senate run, faces three counts of filing a false statement. An FBI agent speculated in an affidavit that Rosen was trying to duck federal financing rules so the campaign would have more money to spend on other expenses...

[sarcasmo]

1. So it begins, the Reich Wings start to bringing down Hillary.

[johnfunk]

10. But, but, but...it's SO much more important than DeLay's antics!

That's going to be the unspoken message of the Mighty Fascist Wurlitzer...you just know it...

[charlyvi]

2. We knew this was coming.

Which is surprising, because from their point of view, she really should run.

[eleny]

3. What's good for the goose....

So let's talk about Tom DeLay. If they want to talk contributions - let's do just that, dammit!

[pie]

5. Lieberman and friends will be too busy with Hillary's finances

Lieberman, leading the republican arm of the Democratic
party, will be far too outraged over this matter to
even consider moving on. "Sorry, Mr. DeLay, we can allot
no more time or resources to your investigation, we have to clean our own house first."

[AlamoDemoc]

4. Why am I not surprised!!

[creeksneakers2]

6. The criminal complaint is on Smoking Gun

Rosen, Hillary's fundraiser, didn't even submit a false report to the FEC. Rosen submitted a report to another gentleman who submitted a final report to the FEC.

The fundraiser was held for three different entities. Hillary's campaign got 1/3 of the total take. When estimating costs, Rosen submitted figures for 1/3 of the total cost of the event. Prosecutors are saying Rosen lied about the cost by only reporting 1/3 of the real figure.

Hillary's people say that this is all about nothing. I believe them.

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/0107052clinton1.html

[lancdem]

14. I didn't realize that

Sounds like trumped-up charges then.

[tom_paine]

7. And yet, Pigboy and Roachman DeLay are curiously untouched

Because they are members of THE PARTY. Plain and simple.

Imperial Amerika has, at it's upper levels, the "justice" system of the Old Soviet Union.

Believe you me, that it about the ONLY thing that is about to "trickle down" to us.

[chaumont58]

8. You can bet the beltway whores will trumpet it as a threat to the republic

Fat Tim and Tweety roll their eyes at yet another 'Clinton scandal.' Look for Ken Starr to come out of retirement to lead a crack team of attorneys and FBI agents trying to get at the bottom of this investigation. Larry King will reconvene is panel from hell and tut-tut about it. It will be just like the old days.

[Democat]

9. Tom DeLay and Ken Lay and Bush are all fine, though

Thanks to the right wing U.S. media, and the Justice Department!

[Historic NY]

11. They are already licking their chops for Hillary..........

A few Repugs friends keep sending me trash stuff mostly from News Max. But there is an active right wing operation already in progress.

Here are a few followup links:

http://conwebwatch.tripod.com/stories/2005/felons.html

http://conwebwatch.tripod.com/stories/2005/nmfelons.html

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/nye/pr/2005mar8.htm

[lancdem]

13. It never stopped

Hillary scares the shit out of them.

[KittyWampus]

12. Wasn't He Fired? This Was Reported About Months Ago.

[Strawman]

15. "Republicans will be watching for any ammunition?"

LOL. Oh yeah, they'll just be sitting back watching for the evidence alright. Hmm, which campaign finance scandal do you think your average miserable, grouchy, unattractive, sexually retired Fox News viewer type will remember: the one with Jack Abramoff and ridiculous levels of actual corruption or the "scandal" involving Hillary ("Who the hell does she think she is") Clinton and hip liberal Hollywood celebrities they just love to hate like Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston because they "think they're so cool?" Better yet it's at a party. The kind of cool party full of beautiful people that they will never be invited to.

Those evil cocksuckers are brilliant.

[ihelpu2see]

16. Again, a try at misdirection by Republicants

8 Brave US soldiers died over this past weekend and not a peep of it from the big AM station here in CT 1080.... But waite news of a "Run away Bride" or maybe a Clinton in the news well thats a "Bullet" to lead with...

Liberal Media???

[Judi Lynn]

17. Political Drama Abounds in Trial Involving Mrs. Clinton's Hollywood Fund-R

Political Drama Abounds in Trial Involving Mrs. Clinton's Hollywood Fund-Raiser

By RAYMOND HERNANDEZ
Published: May 9, 2005
WASHINGTON, May 8 - It is a cast worthy of a political thriller: a former convict whose claims about a former president and first lady spurred a criminal investigation; a prominent senator's brother-in-law, who worked undercover for federal agents looking into the case; political enemies of the former first family trying to dig up fresh dirt; and some of Hollywood's biggest stars.

All these characters will share some of the spotlight beginning Tuesday in a Los Angeles courtroom, where David F. Rosen, the former fund-raising director for Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, will go on trial on charges that he illegally underreported the cost of a fund-raiser held for Mrs. Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign.

The case is being closely watched because of its political implications for Mrs. Clinton, who is not only running for re-election next year but is also considered a leading Democratic candidate for the presidency in 2008. While she has not been accused of any wrongdoing and is not expected to testify, the trial represents another potentially embarrassing chapter for the Clintons, who have been criticized for their associations with other questionable figures.

The federal government's criminal case is largely built around the claims of Peter Paul, an ex-convict who turned on the Clintons after producing a lavish Hollywood fund-raiser for Mrs. Clinton in 2000. Specifically, he claims that Mrs. Clinton's campaign staff did not disclose that he had spent nearly $2 million on the event, money that should have been reported as a contribution to Mrs. Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign.
(snip/...)

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/09/nyregion/09clinton.html
(Free registration is required)

[CornField]

18. This is so much more important than... say... lying to start a war.

:puke:

Don't get me wrong. If Hillary messed up then she deserves to face the music for it. The problem is that the music never seems to start up for Little Bush and his band of vile men (and token black woman).

[DrCorday]

19. We need to be careful...

Remember the conspiracy perpetuated to destroy Clinton for his various transgressions? Watch carefully... I wish not to be so obsequious this time.

I'm worried that the right wing nuts see the Clintons as they often looked at the Kennedys - a significantly powerful, potential Democratic dynasty with the ability to control the scene. Therefore, I think it's gonna be the effort over the next few years to try and run down Hillary.

I could be wrong, but I think she should try to keep clean. Remember, the Department of Homeland Security/Karl Rove-o-mania could be watching for her next potential weakness.

[leesa]

25. Of course, the wingnuts never notice that the Bush's are a dynasty.

[ET Awful]

20. Meanwhile, let's ignore that 800 pound gorilla named DeLay who

IS directly linked to wrongdoing and IS accused of wrongdoing.

[Toby109]

22. That's why the Repubs are doing this.

As payback for DeLay. And a warning.

[xchrom]

21. this is laughable.

like the first poster -- lies about starting a war are seen as some ''homey goofball'' mistake done in the best interests of the country.

or close connections with kenny-boy overlooked -- taking bush's word for it.
i mean kenny-boy did contribute to the bushco campaign.

and does ''horse'' ring a bell?

[Moosepoop]

23. No, no ....

George rang the horse's bell! :evilgrin:

[leesa]

24. Of course, another bogus finance charge by the Kings of Corruption in

the GOP.

[Algorem]

26. Group Urges Probe of Clinton Fundraising (Judicial Watch)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4993968,00.html

Monday May 9, 2005 10:46 PM


AP Photo LA202

By DEVLIN BARRETT

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A conservative watchdog group with a history of dogging the Clintons urged a Senate panel on Monday to investigate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton over a Hollywood fundraiser for which a former staffer faces charges.

The fundraiser is the focus of a federal trial set to begin Tuesday in Los Angeles. Prosecutors say Clinton's former finance director David Rosen understated the cost of the star-studded August 2000 gala, which raised money for her senatorial campaign. Rosen denies the charges.

An FBI agent's 2002 affidavit said the costs were deliberately understated ``to increase the amount of funds available to New York Senate 2000 for federal campaign activities.'' However, Justice Department officials recently said they need not prove a possible motive by Rosen. The Democratic senator has not been charged.

Judicial Watch, which has pushed officials to look into the fundraiser, filed paperwork with the Senate Ethics Committee on Monday saying Clinton had to have known of the alleged misreporting.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton argued that Clinton closely monitored the Hollywood fundraiser and knew its actual cost was much greater than the $400,000 tab


Monday May 9, 2005 10:46 PM


AP Photo LA202

By DEVLIN BARRETT

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - A conservative watchdog group with a history of dogging the Clintons urged a Senate panel on Monday to investigate Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton over a Hollywood fundraiser for which a former staffer faces charges.

The fundraiser is the focus of a federal trial set to begin Tuesday in Los Angeles. Prosecutors say Clinton's former finance director David Rosen understated the cost of the star-studded August 2000 gala, which raised money for her senatorial campaign. Rosen denies the charges.

An FBI agent's 2002 affidavit said the costs were deliberately understated ``to increase the amount of funds available to New York Senate 2000 for federal campaign activities.'' However, Justice Department officials recently said they need not prove a possible motive by Rosen. The Democratic senator has not been charged.

Judicial Watch, which has pushed officials to look into the fundraiser, filed paperwork with the Senate Ethics Committee on Monday saying Clinton had to have known of the alleged misreporting...

[gizmo1979]

27. already posted

kind of.Yours is worded alittle different.