Ex-aide's trial could tarnish Sen. Clinton

[question everything]

Sunday, May 8, 2005

Ex-aide's trial could tarnish Sen. Clinton

If her former finance director is convicted of filing false campaign reports, it might hurt reelection bid.

By KENNETH R. BAZINET
New York Daily News

WASHINGTON – Hillary Clinton isn't on trial in Los Angeles on Tuesday - but as far as her political adversaries are concerned, she may as well be.

Her former finance director, David Rosen, has been charged with filing bogus financial reports with the Federal Election Commission about a star-studded Hollywood fund-raiser for Mrs. Clinton in August 2000 - and if he's convicted, her enemies plan to exploit it to the maximum.

(snip)

Sensitive to whispers that Rosen's prosecution may be politically motivated, the Justice Department says Sen. Clinton, D-N.Y., has not been implicated in any wrongdoing and will not be an issue in the trial. Sen. Clinton stands by Rosen, saying he's innocent. "We believe that when all the facts are in, (he) will be cleared," lawyer David Kendall said on behalf of the senator.

Rosen, 40, reportedly underreported the cost of the gala fundraiser - filing a report that it cost $400,000 when the actual cost was $1.2 million. If convicted, he could get 15 years in prison on three counts of filing false campaign documents.

Democratic political operatives fear a Rosen conviction could lure a strong Republican candidate into Clinton's reelection race next year. "This could be an issue that has traction," said a top Democrat who works closely with the Clinton campaign.

More..
http://www.ocregister.com/ocr/2005/05/08/sections/news/focus_government/article_511680.php

[Pepperbelly]

1. Murdoch would like that, wouldn't he?

Rat-bastard son of a bitch. That is exactly what he's hoping for --some good, old-fashioned guilt by association. Fascist types LOVE that shit.

[question everything]

3. And the Orange County Register was happy to publish

Something to keep them salivating, but, as with the swifters, I trust that Clinton and her advisers will be ready for anything

[BornaDem]

2. I don't buy this for a nanosecond...

I think it's just a preliminary type smear, throwing mud from far away. This guy Rosen isn't going to turn on Hillary and she may run unopposed (or might as well be) in her Senate race no matter what happens to him.