Sen. Clinton's former aide could be used against her (Will Hillary Rodham be called as witness?)

Salt Lake Tribune ^ | 5/09/05 | Kenneth R. Bazinet

[Libloather]

Sen. Clinton's former aide could be used against her
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 concealing the real cost of a star-studded Hollywood fund-raiser for Clinton in August 2000 - and if he's convicted, her enemies plan to exploit it to the maximum.

''If it was any other senator, it might not be an issue, but with her past it will be,'' said Brian Nick, spokesman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee. ''She clearly has her eyes set on the White House [in 2008] . . . so it's going to be an issue between now and then.''

Sensitive to whispers Rosen's prosecution may be politically motivated, the feds say Clinton has not been implicated in any wrongdoing and will not be an issue in the trial.

''We're certainly not calling her as a witness and it might be a mistake for the defense to do that - but that's up to them,'' said a Justice Department source.

Clinton is standing by Rosen and thinks he is innocent. ''We believe that when all the facts are in, [Rosen] will be cleared,''

Clinton lawyer David Kendall said on behalf of the senator.

Still, if Rosen is convicted, Clinton, D-N.Y., is certain to face repeated attack ads accusing her of running a corrupt campaign and reminding voters of the 1996 investigation into Lincoln Bedroom sleepovers and White House coffees to raise political cash, GOP operatives promised.

If convicted, Rosen, 40, could get 15 years in prison on three counts of filing false campaign documents. He allegedly cooked the books to free up more money when he reported that the $1.2 million gala cost only $400,000.

[Libloather]

Clinton is standing by Rosen and thinks he is innocent.

Thinks - or knows?

[Libloather]

Former fundraiser producer Aaron Tonken, shown during an interview in a prison in Taft, Calif., Thursday, April 21, 2005, speaks about the involvement of David Rosen, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's former finance director, and an organizer in the 'The Hollywood Gala Salute to President William Jefferson Clinton' in Los Angeles. A federal trial is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles Tuesday, May 10, 2005, in which Rosen faces charges he knowingly filed false reports that understated the costs for the event. Tonken, who is in prison on an unrelated matter, produced the 2000 star-studded tribute. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

[TheBattman]

How many times will she "plead the 5th"....???

[BluH2o]

How many times will she "plead the 5th"....???

Hillary doesn't plead the 5th ... she uses the "I can't remember ... I don't recall" gambit. Works for her ... because the lamestream liberal MSM never calls her on it ...

[bannie]

I wonder why Tonken is in prison?

[MisterRepublican]

"Look at the very people who are involved in this. They have popped up in other settings. The great story here for anybody willing to find it, write about it and explain it is this vast right-wing conspiracy that has been conspiring against me since the day I announced for president."

[secret garden]

Either way, she won't be able to recall a thing. The witch has a history of poor memory. Especially when it implicates her.

[South40]

Will Hillary Rodham be called as witness?

Will the judge be able to control the ensuing laugh riot should the beast say she swears to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but?

Not likely.

[Reactionary]

"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."

Really? How does the author know that to be true?

"Her former finance director David Rosen has been charged with concealing the real cost of a star-studded Hollywood fund-raiser for Clinton in August 2000 - and if he's convicted, her enemies plan to exploit it to the maximum."

Again, how does the author know this is true? Even better: How could the author know this is true?

[JoanneSD]

She cannot remember any thing.. but yet wrote a book "Living History..

[drypowder]

The catch 22: if she can't remember then she's too dumb to proceed any higher in politics or she is obviously guilty as hell which makes a good politician. My guess, the powers that be won't allow her to be called to testify, EVER, about any criminal activity she instigated.

[cosine]

There's a book on this written, I think, by the guy who organized the parties "King of Cons?"

[Libloather]

[Brilliant]

Rosen's not a good Clintonite. He should have pled guilty and taken the fall.

[RJL]

I wonder why Tonken is in prison?

I read here on another FR thread and thought it described the Clinton's perfectly. One of Hillary's co-leaders for her big fund-raiser, Rosen, has been indicted and the other one, Tonken, in jail for 63 months for stealing from charities.

[eric_da_grate]

Tonken, who is in prison on an unrelated matter, produced the 2000 star-studded tribute.

What's the unrelated matter?...Anyone?

[Libloather]

From http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pr2004/108.html -

August 23, 2004

CELEBRITY FUND-RAISER AARON TONKEN SENTENCED TO 63 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR DEFRAUDING DONORS AND UNDERWRITERS IN CONNECTION WITH PRODUCTION OF CHARITY EVENTS

United States District Court Judge Dale S. Fischer today sentenced former celebrity fund-raiser Aaron Tonken to 63 months in prison for his scheme to defraud donors and underwriters in connection with his promotion and production of charitable events. On December 9, 2003, Tonken pled guilty to a two-count information charging one count of mail fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1341, and one count of wire fraud in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1343.

Tonken falsely represented to donors and underwriters that their contributions would pay event expenses or would benefit charities. In fact, Tonken used the contributions for his personal benefit, including payment of personal loans and the purchase of luxury items. In a scheme reminiscent of the “Producers,” he routinely promised more than 100% of the net proceeds from the events to multiple charities. He also falsely solicited contributions for events he never produced, such as “Celebrating Diana,” a supposed tribute to Diana Ross.

In addition to sentencing Tonken to 63 months in prison, the Court ordered him to pay approximately $3.8 million in restitution to his victims, and placed him on supervised release for a term of three years. Tonken was ordered to report to the United States Marshals, or to a designated correctional institution, to commence serving his sentence on September 22, 2004.

Release No. 04-108

[mewzilla]

Rosen's not a good Clintonite. He should have pled guilty and taken the fall.

Like Jim McDougal? Didn't he die in prison?

[Brian Allen]

<< .... the lamestream liberal MSM never calls her on it ... >>

Nor do the rule-by-Roosevelt [Fiat] judges.

[Polyxene]

"I can't remember ... I don't recall"

"My head is jello-jello-jello......."

(Remember Rush's parody? LOL!)