BACKSTORY Fund-raiser Aaron Tonken Writing Hillary Tell-All

http://64.233.187.104/search?q=cache:2wsVoG07OUMJ:www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2004/3/11/182958.shtml ^ | Thursday, March 11, 2004 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[Liz]

For the story behind the story...

Convicted Hollywood fund-raiser Aaron Tonken, who helped organize an August 2000 star-studded tribute to Bill Clinton's presidency that doubled as a fund raiser for Hillary's Senate campaign, is writing an October-surprise tell-all book that could cause trouble for the entire Democratic Party.

"He has a book coming out in October in which he's promising to reveal all sorts of things," Fox News reporter Eric Shawn told WABC Radio's Monica Crowley Wednesday night. "I think we're in the beginning of what could turn out to be a major brewing story dealing with campaign financing in Mrs. Clinton's campaign."

That may be an understatement, if what the New York Post's Cindy Adams says about Tonken's book turns out to be true.

After getting a peek at his manuscript, Adams reports that in Chapter 13 alone there's enough material to keep a battery of Clinton damage controllers working overtime.

During seven White House stays in the last three months of the Clintons' term, Tonken says, he became so cozy with the first couple that he and Hillary once sat in their pajamas together eating popcorn and watching TV in her bedroom.

He also says, according to Adams, that he smoked pot with Bill's brother, Roger.

When the fun and games were over, the Hollywood moneyman says, he handed out checks to "certain pols" that were "illegal." And he personally witnessed a "brown bag" stuffed with cash going "someplace it shouldn't."

Tonken claims the illegal campaign contributions he personally doled out totaled over $100,000.

And from the sound of the Hollywood fund-raiser's statements under oath in legal proceedings against him last year, he isn't talking through his hat.

"I'm a star witness against President and Mrs. Clinton," he told attorneys in an unrelated civil case. "I'm a star witness in New York in the grand jury regarding the Marc Rich pardon and regarding the fund-raising activities that I've done on behalf of the Clintons."

Tonken's story could impact the entire Democratic Party, since Harold Ickes, who masterminded Hillary's 2000 Senate race, is now busily raising tens of millions of dollars for the Democratic Party's presidential "Media Fund."

In December, Tonken pleaded guilty to federal charges that he diverted hundreds of thousands of dollars from donors and underwriters of Hollywood events he organized.

[Quilla]

"I'm a star witness against President and Mrs. Clinton...."

Famous last words, buddy.

[dirtboy]

I predict a short life-span.

I'd give him five words of advice: If you travel, go Greyhound...

[dirtboy]

Being a cynic in the company of other cynics is depressing.

I'm cynically optimistic - I'm quite sure that I'll never be pleasantly surprised, therby avoiding disappointment.

[Ann Archy]

Nothing's going to happen to him....the Clinton's are TEFLON...no scandal will bring them down....none. Pity.

[Chu Gary]

"Posted in response to today's news reports that David Rosen, Hillary's former fund-raiser, has been indicted."

Hillary's Public Enemy #1, he's dead, buy a casket.

[libs_kma]

Shrillary says: Take THAT VRWC!

[libs_kma]

WOW! Good catch! I know pretty many klinton scandals and gaffes, but this was a new one on me. Good info! Thanks for posting!

Can't depend on a 'journalist' to always make a klintoon connection.

[libs_kma]

"And he personally witnessed a "brown bag" stuffed with cash going "someplace it shouldn't."

Sandy Bergers pants? BTW, did Berger ever get prosecuted for his choice of undergarments?

[beyond the sea]

"He has a book coming out in October in which he's promising to reveal all sorts of things,"

Damn.......... I see another guy getting to Fort Marcy Park before his car.

Patrick Knowlton.......... keep on driving.

[Liz]

Aaron Tonken, the celeb party-thrower, who spilled the beans on Rosen, is in jail.

In Tonken's book, King of Cons, he writes there was a lot of checks written on non-profit Foundations going into DBA bank accounts with absolutely no accountability.

The Foundation check-writers were suckups who wanted to rub shoulders with celebs and politicans and were willing to break laws, and write mega checks for the privilege.

The whole point was to get celebs to political events.....but the altruistic celebs (/sarc) wouldn't show up unless they get big money, gifts including trips, costly watches and jewelry, limos, private planes.......and so on.

Tonken, Rosen, the greedy Clintons and the greedy celebs all deserve each other.

[Chu Gary]

"They'll blow off any thing.."

I think you're confusing her with an intern.

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

HA. LOL.
great post...forgot about that one!
Cigars, anyone?

[Windcatcher]

Take a step back and ask yourselves how many countries have a stake in a Dem getting elected in '08. If something happens to this guy (or for some reason he inexplicably pulls his book) the list of suspects will be a mile long.

Maybe they'll kill him. Maybe they'll threaten his kids, his family, or any of a million other things. Maybe they'll try to trap him in something illegal to discredit him. Whatever the method, if the information he has is truly damaging, someone will move against him...and it might not necessarily be from this country.

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT