Posted on 05/13/2005 6:13:26 AM PDT by areafiftyone
A former strip club owner and close personal friend of ex-President Clinton has flipped on Hillary Clinton's finance chairman, David Rosen, testifying for the prosecution against Rosen on Thursday in a surprise move sure to cause consternation in the Clinton camp.
Levin spent the night at the White House at least twice in 2000. Now a fence company executive, the government witness contributed $1 million to Clinton's presidential library.
"He wasn't particularly political before I became president," Mr. Clinton said in 2000, speaking of Levin to a New Jersey fundraiser. "[But] we got to be very close," he added.
The former topless club owner agreed to cooperate in Rosen's prosecution only a few weeks ago as part of his own plea bargain to end a bribery/conspiracy case against him, according to the New York Post.
On Thursday, Levin offered damaging testimony that Rosen knew that the costs of an August 2000 gala fundraiser for Mrs. Clinton were spiraling out of control - and had already decided to lie about them.
"The cost of this event will never be the cost of this event," Levin quoted Rosen as telling him.
Levin's account contradicts claims from the former first couple, who have said through their scandal lawyer, David Kendall, that Rosen is innocent.
According to Hollywood mogul Peter Paul, who bankrolled the August 2000 fundraiser, and Aaron Tonken, who rounded up the celebrities for the tribute to the first couple, it was Levin who persuaded Mr. Clinton that the gala was a good idea.
Paul has also alleged that the former strip club owner supplied Mr. Clinton with "female companionship" inside the White House.
In his book "King of Cons," Tonken says it was top Hillary aide Kelly Craighead who actually introduced him to Levin.
During a meeting in Chicago in July 2000, Tonken said, "Kelly brought over a tall, good-looking guy around fifty . . . His name was Jim Levin. Was I up for drinks?" Levin wanted to know.
"We went outside and the valet brought around a top-of-the-line, two-door Mercedes," Tonken explained. "As [Levin] was getting into the driver's side, I said something like, 'This is a beautiful car.'
"At that Kelly turned to me and said with a smile, 'It won't be around long. He gets his cars repossessed every few months.'"
GASP!!!! SHOCKER!!!! (/sarcasm)
Anyone know what Levin's full name is?
James Levin?
Jim Levin
I see everything is still running true to form.
Thanks :) How about a middle initial? Anyone know?
: Clinton Aide Never Knew Gala Cost
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's former national finance director never knew the cost of a lavish 2000 Hollywood fund-raiser, his attorney said at his federal trial over whether campaign contributions were illegally concealed.
Defense lawyer Paul Sandler said in opening statements Thursday that the event's mounting expenses - eventually totaling about $1.2 million - were hidden from defendant David F. Rosen by its organizers.
But the first major witness for prosecutors, Jim Levin, testified that Rosen was aware of the ballooning budget, saying Rosen told him "that the cost of this event will never be the cost of this event" - meaning they would not report the excessive expenses to federal regulators.
The event, held at a 112-acre Brentwood estate, attracted stars including Cher, Diana Ross, John Travolta, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.
Both defense attorneys and prosecutors say Sen. Clinton didn't know about the alleged wrongdoing.
Levin, who helped organize the celebrity-studded gala with Aaron Tonken and Peter Paul, said he became involved in fund-raising generally and the gala in particular at the request of his "dear friend," former President Clinton.
Rosen told Levin that costs "were spiraling out of control" and was worried he would be fired if the event failed, Levin testified.
Sandler suggested Levin's testimony was not credible because it came three days after he signed an agreement to cooperate with federal prosecutors and plead guilty to bribery and fraud charges in an unrelated case in Chicago.
I'm not being coy, just wondering if this is the same James Levin who donated ten grand to the Toon Defense fund.
seek bullet-proof vest quickly now.
Do not take long walks alone.
I saw a James Levin and Mary Levin, of JHL Enterprises, on a Clinton list. If this is the same Levin, and I don't know it is, then I would guess his middle initial is H. I can't tell whether he is the former Chicago strip club owner or not. If so, then that's quite a jump.
Jim Levin, one-time owner of the topless club Thee Dollhouse, now owns Tru-Link Fence Co. Will keep looking for full name.
Here's what I found at www.tray.com's fecinfo link:
Donor: LEVIN, JAMES H. City/State:SKOKIE, IL Amount: $10,000 (received between 7/1/98 - 12/31/98) Occupation/Employer: Chairman-Pres./J.H.L. Ent.
Finally. Confirmation.
Donor: ARDALAN, CYRUS City/State:LONDON, UK Amount: $10,000 (received between 2/17/98 - 6/30/98) Occupation/Employer: Banker/Paribas
Maybe I should put this on an Oil For Food thread, too.
I don't think Levin will be able to get flight insurance right now, do you? heh
Here is the information on one donor who gave $10,000 to the legal defense fund: Cyrus Ardalan Senior Banker, Paribas Cyrus Ardalan holds degrees in Economics from University College London and Oxford. His professional background includes work for the World Bank, Chemical Bank and at present he is Global Head of Bonds and Fixed Income Marketing at Paribas, promoting the growth of the Euro currency market. Last October, he was part of the panel of BIBA's 71st meeting (Finance), when he delivered an exceptionally informative talk on the topic of "Creation of a Single Currency and its Effects on Global Markets". Cyrus is a supporter of equal opportunity in the work place. There are some interesting bits of information I placed in bold. The information comes from www.bibauk.com, where his biography was posted as part of a listing of speakers at a symposium.
There are several links on last night's thread.
12 Posted on 02/24/2001 08:04:45 PST by Miss Marple [ Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | Top | Last ]
The Rev. Jimmie Daniels; his wife, Delores; and their company, Total Facility Maintenance in Wood Dale, were scheduled to receive the largest chunk of subcontractor work--worth nearly $992,000-- under two school fencing contracts awarded to James Levin and his two companies in 1998 and 2000, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Daniels' firm is among four subcontractors now under scrutiny for allegedly helping Levin's companies--Tru-Link Fences & Products and Tru-Link Commercial--meet requirements for work by minority- and women-owned businesses, officials said.
And the Chicago Public School Board voted to debar his company in Jun 2004 based on the determination that his business practices were of a "deceptive nature and demonstrated a lack of integrity and honesty". Geez imagine that... : )
Other names listed on that document include Helen Levin, Michael Levin and David Cottongim.
Still no middle name or initial.
LMAO... of COURSE you got to be very close.
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