[Liz]

In August 1998, a report from the Washington Post noted that then-president Clinton was being accused of perjury and obstruction of justice regarding his testimony about his Oval Office conduct with Monica Lewinsky. At the same time, influential members of Hollywood were coming to Clinton’s defense.

The Post report noted that according to Clinton’s legal defense fund, a total of more than $2.2 million was raised in six months, which was notably more than was collected in funding during the previous four years of his presidency—combined.

“Hollywood was quick to come to the president’s aid. Among the 62 donors giving the maximum $10,000 were performers and directors such as Tom Hanks, Barbra Streisand, Michael Douglas, Ron Howard, Norman Lear, Steven Spielberg and Kate Capshaw-Spielberg as well as studio executives Jeffrey Katzenberg, David Geffen,Harvey Weinstein and Bud Yorkin.”

He's a lecher, but he's generous. Harvey Weinstein donated a bundle to The Clinton Foundation........ and also to Clinton's sex defense fund after the Lewinsky episode.

The fact that more than 60 members of the Hollywood elite were willing to donate both thousands of dollars and their public support to Bill Clinton is notable because the stories of Paula Jones and Monica Lewinsky were not his only accusations of rape, sexual harassment or inappropriate relationships with his employees.

http://www.usjournal.net/news-line/theyre-all-in-it-together-weinstein-paid-for-bill-clintons-legal-fees-during-his-sex-abuse-scandal/

CONT

[Liz]

CONT-- HOLLYWOOD FINACED BILL CLINTON IN THE LEWINSKY MESS

(hat tip smoking frog)

According to FEC Info, an Internet Web site (www.tray.com) that tracks federal political contributions, 176 individual donors actually contributed $10,000 or more to the Clinton Legal Expense Trust fund through Dec 1999. Another 21 donors gave $10,000 in the first six months of 2000. Thanks to Hollyood's generoisty, a total of more than $2.2 million was raised in six months, which was notably more than was collected in funding during the previous four years of his presidency—combined.

Hollywood producers and stars made up the bulk of the most generous givers. They included:

<><> Universal Studios tycoon Lew Wasserman and his wife, Edith, who have given $60,000;

<><>DreamWorks trio Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, $20,000 each;

<><> producer Ron Burkle and his wife, Janet, $40,000;

<><> producers Peg and Bud Yorkin, $30,000;

<><> TV producer Norman Lear, $20,000.

Entertainment celebrities and executives giving $10,000 included:

<><> singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand;

<><> actors Michael Douglas and Tom Hanks;

<><> director Ron Howard; producer Gail Zappa;

<><>Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson.

When Bill Clinton was at the height of the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, Hollywood was by his side, offering donations for his legal fees, and one significant donor was a man who is now going through his own sex scandal—Harvey Weinstein.

Washington law firms got the bulk of trust funds for Mr. Clinton’s legal representation. Williams & Connolly billed $8 million for work associated with independent counsel investigations, and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom has billed $3 million for the president’s defense in the sexual harassment lawsuit of former Arkansas state employee Paula Jones.

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THE IRS AND SEC MIGHT LIKE TO KNOW IF THE WEINSTEIN COMPANY LISTED PAYMENTS TO CLINTON UNDER "BUSINESS EXPENSES."

How did DreamWorks list its donation to Clinton?

How did Black Entertainment Television list its donation?

How did Universal Studios list its donation?

CONTACT enforcement@sec.gov