Hillary Stonewalls AP's Questions on Peter Paul Lawsuit

NewsMax.com ^ | 10/25/03 | Carl Limbacher and NewsMax.com Staff

[kattracks]

While reporters usually pretend that Bill and Hillary Clinton's legal problems are behind them, Mrs. Clinton seems to know better. That is, at least judging by the way she's handling the latest lawsuit filed against her.

Sen. Clinton's office spent a significant part of this week dodging media questions about Stan Lee Media co-founder Peter Paul, who claimed in court documents filed in Los Angeles last week that she and her husband accepted $2 million from him and reported only a tiny fraction to the Federal Election Commission.

"Clinton's Senate staff did not respond to the Associated Press' repeated requests for comment over two days," the AP said Thursday.

In fact, the Paul lawsuit seems to have prompted a wave of stonewalling from Democratic officials, who are suddenly behaving like they have something to worry about. Here's what the AP reported about Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, who had his own dealings with the Hollywood mogul in 2000 when Rendell was Democratic National Committee chairman.

"[Paul] says he agreed to Rendell's request to donate $150,000 in Stan Lee Media Inc. stock to a June 2000 fund-raiser supporting the presidential campaign of then-Vice President Al Gore, and another $150,000 in stock to co-host a fund-raiser for Clinton's Senate campaign a day later. Rendell's press secretary, Kate Philips, said the governor won't comment."

Mr. Paul's complaint was off the radar screen for two years after he fled to Brazil to escape his own legal problems connected to the collapse of SLM. But after a harrowing sojourn in Brazilian jail, the Clinton accuser has returned to the U.S. - with a little help from the Bush Justice Department.

What may worry Democrats like Sen. Clinton and Gov. Rendell is the prospect that federal prosecutors might be moving his case to the front burner.

Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton told the AP that his client was repeatedly interviewed by federal investigators while in Brazil, and is "eager" to cooperate with federal and state authorities.

And while prosecutors won't reveal what they're up too, another witness emerged from the shadows earlier this year hinting publicly that he has some damaging information on the former first family that might corroborate Paul's claims.

"I'm a star witness against President and Mrs. Clinton," Hollywood fundraiser Aaron Tonken told lawyers, in court documents uncovered by Vanity Fair magazine over the summer.

"I'm a star witness in New York in the grand jury regarding the Marc Rich pardon and regarding the fundraising activities that I've done on behalf of the Clintons," he explained.

Tonken worked on the same gala fundraiser for Sen. Clinton that Paul helped bankroll with $2 million in cash and in-kind contributions.

No wonder Sen. Clinton is so uncharacteristically silent.

[Erik Latranyi]

I bet a $20 donation to Free Republic that nothing comes of this --- like so many problems in the past.

[jimbo123]

http://archive.salon.com/politics/red/2001/06/22/blue/print.html

Peter Paul and Chelsea

The Stan Lee fraud case gets weirder: Litigation-happy Larry Klayman now wants to depose ... Chelsea?

By Anthony York

June 22, 2001

Big buzz

With Washington's growing obsession with the Chandra Levy-Gary Condit noir thriller, the folks at Judicial Watch are trying to stoke the fires of a good ol'-fashioned Clinton scandal.

The story features two of the last decade's most experienced scandal figures: Judicial Watch's Larry Klayman and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y. The subplots involve comic books, $25 million in stock fraud, fugitives hiding out in Brazil battling extradition, Brad Pitt, Barbra Streisand, and for good measure, a few allegations of political cash in exchange for a presidential pardon. All of which could result in the deposing of Chelsea Clinton.

The story begins with a Hollywood promoter named Peter Paul, who has been indicted in a New York court for his role in a $25 million stock manipulation scam involving Stan Lee Media, the company of Spider Man creator Stan Lee. Paul, co-founder of the Stan Lee Media Group, is currently hiding out in Brazil, battling extradition and desperate to cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid spending time in the slammer.

Enter Larry Klayman, chairman of Judicial Watch, the conservative group that made a name for itself waging war on the Clinton White House. Klayman says that Paul made over $2 million in direct and in-kind campaign contributions to stage a star-studded "Hollywood Tribute to Bill Clinton" last year, which was a soft money fundraiser for Hillary Clinton's Senate campaign. The money was reported as coming from the Stan Lee Media Group.

Paul, who has a past record including convictions for cocaine possession and a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme involving the Cuban government, says those donations were personal contributions, but that Clinton wanted to hide Paul's involvement because of his felony record. In August, Washington Post columnist Lloyd Grove reported "convicted felon Peter Paul -- who served three years in prison two decades ago after pleading guilty to cocaine possession and trying to swindle $ 8.7 million out of the Cuban government -- helped organize Saturday's star-glutted $ 1 million fundraising gala for Clinton's Senate race at businessman Ken Roberts's Brentwood estate. Paul, co-founder of Stan Lee Media, told us in a statement ... that he only produced the gala and hasn't given or raised money for the first lady's New York campaign."

Now, Paul has changed his story. He claims the contribution was part of an effort to lure Bill Clinton to join the board of the Stan Lee Media Company. In addition to the $2 million worth of cash and services, which Paul now says came from him personally, Bill Clinton was reportedly promised an additional $15 million in Stan Lee stock to join the board.

"So eventually Peter Paul said, 'In order to get Bill Clinton I'm willing to help get Hillary Rodham Clinton elected U.S. senator. And I'll put up money to help elect her,'" Judicial Watch southwest regional director Russ Verney told WABC radio.

When asked about the case, Hillary Clinton's spokeswoman Karen Dunn said, "we tend not to comment on the activities of Judicial Watch."

But the folks at Judicial Watch are undoubtedly thrilled with the prospect of another media blockbuster. The headline on their press release boasts "Major Hollywood Stars Such As Brad Pitt and Barbra Streisand As Witnesses."

And if that weren't enough enticement for the media pack, Verney, the former Ross Perot henchman, added the prospect of deposing the former president and Chelsea Clinton in the case.

"According to a note Chelsea wrote," Verney told WABC radio, "she and Bill Clinton stayed up all night one night playing Scrabble and they were talking about him joining Peter Paul's company after he left the presidency and the fact that Peter Paul was putting on this big gala out in California."

"I can't see how they can avoid the depositions," Verney said.

Records at the Center for Responsive Politics show Lee donated personally to Clinton's campaign, and to the Democratic Party. They also show the Stan Lee Media Group had contributed $100,000 in soft money as of Sept. 9, 2000.

Paul also says then-DNC Chairman Ed Rendell said it would be "nice" if Paul gave $150,000 to the DNC after Paul sought a presidential pardon for his two prior convictions. "He is willing to return to the U.S. to testify in exchange for a deal with prosecutors," Klayman told the New York Daily News.

Calls to Judicial Watch were not immediately returned.

[BIGZ]

Who called Paul Fray a F---ing Jew Bastard? Something about the name Paul.

[backhoe]

In no particular order, some of my links:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991222/posts

Peter Paul Promises Blockbuster Hillary Revelations (Bye, bye Hillary Clinton!)
NewsMax.com ^ | Monday, Sept. 29, 2003 | John O. Edwards

 

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/991539/posts

Hillary Donor, Terrorist Sympathizer, Arrested
Newsmax ^ | 9/29/03 | staff

 

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/994312/posts

SEC PROBING COMICS COMPANY (ILLEGAL $$$ FOR BILL & HILL?)
New York Post ^ | 10/03/03 | PAUL THARP

It seems that this is WHY the left and their willing accomplices are so motivated to go on the attack... to protect hillary's impending and staged DRAFT to run for presidentress

Peter Paul Promises Blockbuster Hillary Revelations (Bye, bye Hillary Clinton!) REPAIRED LINK, sorry

JAIL VISIT LEADS TO CELL-ABRATION

SPIDEY STOX 'SCAMMER' TO SPIN TALE IN COURT (Peter Paul alert)

Charge Spider-Man pal in Web of deceit (Peter Paul alert)

U.S. Prosecutors Extradite Peter Paul from Brazil

Peter Paul is ALIVE! He is currently on his way back to the US!

NEW Peter Paul info? Post new info here.

Peter Paul and Hillary

FReep Michelle Malkin: We need her to investigate the Hillary/Peter Paul Scandal

The End of Hillary Clinton: UPDATE (Peter Paul still alive?) THREAD

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1003138/posts

PETER PAUL SUES BILL AND HILLARY CLINTON FOR FRAUD, CONSPIRACY, UNJUST ENRICHMENT
Judicial Watch ^ | Oct 16, 2003 | Press Office

 

 

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1002430/posts

Clinton's Fall Guy May Turn the Table - Peter Paul et al
Insight Magazine ^ | 10/16/03 | Paul Rodriguez

 

 

[jimbo123]

SEC Joins Probe of Stan Lee Media

October 2, 2003

LA Times

Sources say investigators in Los Angeles are conducting interviews and reviewing records.

By Michael Cieply and James Bates, Times Staff Writers

The Securities and Exchange Commission has joined a growing federal investigation of events connected with the 2001 collapse of Web firm Stan Lee Media, according to people familiar with the probe.

-snip-

The SEC's involvement comes as Justice Department investigators continue to examine a high-profile political event sponsored by Stan Lee Media principals for former President Clinton and the U.S. Senate campaign of Hillary Rodham Clinton in August 2000. That investigation was being led by officials from the Justice Department's Washington-based Public Integrity Section, a person familiar with the situation said.

-snip-

Those convictions involved check-kiting charges that stemmed from about $5 million in losses sustained by Merrill Lynch & Co. when the value of Stan Lee stock held in margin accounts at the brokerage firm collapsed. Many of the checks written on the Merrill Lynch accounts were used to underwrite the Clinton fund-raiser.

-snip-

"The SEC is investigating areas that were neglected or deliberately avoided by the U.S. attorney," Gordon's attorney, Harland Braun, said Wednesday. Braun declined to discuss details of the inquiry.

-snip-

In a previous interview with The Times, Gordon said about 40% of the money lost by Merrill Lynch went to the Clinton fund-raiser.

-snip-

Aaron Tonken, a celebrity broker who worked closely with Paul, produced the Clinton fund-raiser. Tonken was subsequently sued by California officials for charity fraud and then accused of mail fraud by the U.S.

Federal proceedings against him have been on hold pending a government review of his connection to various political and entertainment figures, people familiar with his status have said.

-snip-

Representatives of Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate office have said that they were unaware of any wrongdoing connected with the 2000 event.

[jimbo123]

http://www.icv2.com/articles/news/3149.html

Political Fundraiser Sank Stan Lee Media
According to LA Times

July 23, 2003

An in-depth article in Sunday's Los Angeles Times examined the relationship between the gala political fundraiser held at Stan Lee's home for Hillary Clinton's 2000 Senate campaign and the collapse of Stan Lee Media shortly thereafter. According to the article, the fundraiser, which cost approximately $2 million to stage but raised only $1 million for the campaign, figured prominently in both the collapse and the subsequent legal problems of Stan Lee Media executives. That's because the money for the fundraiser came largely from Merrill Lynch margin accounts secured by Stan Lee Media co-founder Peter Paul's stock in the company. The borrowing was in excess of the limit placed on borrowing against the stock, and when Merrill froze activity in the accounts in November of 2000, checks started bouncing, rumors that Stan Lee Media was out of cash began to spread, the stock price began to spiral downward, and a $40 million financing deal for the company collapsed, leading to the company's demise (see "Stan Lee Media Tanks").

Among those facing legal problems related to the events are former Stan Lee Media executive Stephen Gordon, who was convicted in what was termed a "check-kiting" scheme and faces sentencing August 4th (he plans to appeal); two others convicted with Gordon; Peter Paul, who awaits extradition in a Brazilian jail; and fundraiser Aaron Tonken, charged with mail fraud for charitable promotions unrelated to the event but now being investigated for his political fundraising, according to the article.

[Wondervixen]

>> Incoming.....fast low flying ash trays...

Any REAL man would tell the hot headed b*tch "One ashtray comes flying my way and tomorrow you'll be picking your molars out of your bowel movements!"

[jimbo123]

Far Right Threatens Chelsea Deposition
http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0125/ridgeway.php

Clinton haters got a whiff of red meat Monday, when the crazed right-wing whistleblowers at Judicial Watch told Newsmax.com they will probably call former first daughter Chelsea Clinton as a material witness in yet another Pardongate scandal. Russell Verney, southwest regional director of Judicial Watch and a former top official in Ross Perot's Reform Party, said he wants to depose the 21-year-old Chelsea in a civil suit filed by Peter Paul against Bill and Hillary Clinton and onetime Democratic National Committee boss Ed Rendell.

Paul, a cofounder of Stan Lee Media and a big-time Democratic contributor, claims a party leader solicited $150,000 in exchange for pardoning fraud and drug convictions. Paul says he has the checks to prove it. But why they would need to depose Chelsea isn't entirely clear.

Verney says Chelsea's testimony is a must because she wrote a thank-you note to Paul for the $2 million he coughed up to stage the "Hollywood Tribute to Bill Clinton," a gala fundraiser last August. Paul says he and associate Stan Lee wanted Bill to join their corporation's board. "According to a note Chelsea wrote," Verney told the conservative site, "she and Bill Clinton stayed up all night one night playing Scrabble and they were talking about him joining Peter Paul's company after he left the presidency and the fact that Peter Paul was putting on this big gala out in California."

[zip]

ping

[jimbo123]

The Clintons have tried to distance themselves from Paul, third from left, but this picture at a fund-raiser suggests Bill and Hillary appreciated his political gift-giving.

[jimbo123]

Evidence of Stan Lee Media/Clinton Senate Campaign Connection Connection

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

Today's headliner:

"I'm a star witness against President and Mrs. Clinton," Hollywood fundraiser Aaron Tonken told lawyers...

Tomorow's headliner:

"We don't know how Tonken's body ended up in Fort Marcy Park", Montgomery County Police Chief Moose told the Washington Post...

[jimbo123]

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

[Paul, who once was the manager of romance novel cover model Fabio, sued when his attempts to buy influence brought him no appreciable gain.]

He didn't even get a pardon. Guess $2M doesn't get you very far with the First Grifters.

[pabianice]

Not a problem. He'll have a "heart attack" before he can testify.

[jimbo123]

Clinton's Fall Guy May Turn the Table - Peter Paul et al

Tonken was indicted earlier this year on unrelated charges of bilking mostly rich-and-famous types through mail fraud tied to charity events he led as a result of having worked closely with the Clintons and top Democrats in earlier political battles. He claims he has dirt to dish about a number of related high-fliers, including Hillary Clinton and financial supporters of her campaign. Prosecutors are reported to be listening.

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

What's the Vegas line on his life expectancy?

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

PS: A new scandal! Just when you thought they were through. Would be great to see Hitlery go down in flames. I mean, at some point, they have to reap what they have sown.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

LARRY KLAYMAN plans on doing a Full-Court Press on HILLARY in the U.S. Senate =

http://www.KlaymanSenate.com

[freekitty]

It sure would be nice to see Hitlery and Billy Boy in jail where they belong.