Posted on 03/26/2002 4:27:10 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Former independent counsel-turned-Senate candidate Robert Ray refuses to discuss still-secret scandal evidence against ex-President Bill Clinton, contending instead that it's time to "move on" from the investigation that led to the first impeachment of an elected president in U.S. history.
In a bizarre exchange Sunday with WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg, Ray all but ignored the potentially explosive question about heretofore unreported allegations against Clinton, preferring instead to keep the focus on his bid to replace Democratic Senator Robert Torricelli.
MALZBERG: During the impeachment hearings we heard so much about the evidence in the Ford Building. Tom Delay said that if the Senators took the time to review it, 67 votes to convict might materialize out of thin air. We heard reports of some congressmen becoming sick looking at the so-called evidence. Christopher Shays said he looked at the evidence and he said that, not only did Bill Clinton rape Juanita Broaddrick once, he raped her twice.
Did the Office of Independent Counsel have serious and credible evidence of sexual and other misconduct by Bill Clinton that we still don't know about?
RAY: I think the message I would like to send to New Jersey voters across the state is that I am the independent counsel who brought that investigation to an end in a credible way with real results accomplished, first, to vindicate the principle that no person, including the former president of the United States, was above the law.
And second, to be able to show that our Constitution works and allowed an investigation of the highest official in our government to conclude appropriately.
I think it's important now to put that matter behind us. That investigation is now over.... I think it's time for all of us to move on..... While justice was brought to Bill Clinton and his administration, it would all do us well to focus on the future. (End of Excerpt)
On Jan. 19, 2001, the former independent counsel cut a no-prosecution plea deal with Clinton in exchange for an admission that he lied during his Paula Jones deposition and to the Monica Lewinsky grand jury.
After his Senate trial acquittal, the secret Clinton impeachment files were transferred to the National Archives, where they are scheduled to remain under seal till the year 2048.
Though details of the sealed allegations against Clinton are unknown, scattered reports in the immediate aftermath of his trial suggest they include:
• Complaints from several female Secret Service agents who said they had been sexually harassed by Clinton.
• An account by Newsweek investigative reporter Michael Isikoff that Clinton sexually assaulted a second woman inside the Oval Office (besides Kathleen Willey).
• An allegation by a second Clinton rape accuser (beside Juanita Broaddrick) who said she was bitten and bruised during a 1978 attack.
• Details from the investigation into a rumored attack on a heavily drugged 14-year-old Arkansas girl who allegedly woke up with then-Gov. Clinton on top of her.
Reaction to the secret impeachment evidence by House members who viewed it was startling. Rep. Mike Castle (R-Del.) was reportedly reduced to tears by what he saw. Rep. Matt Salmon (R-Az.) said he was nauseated by the evidence against the then-president.
Much of the information from the independent counsel's secret Clinton impeachment files is believed to have been gleaned by Texas private investigators Rick and Beverly Lambert, who worked for the Paula Jones legal team and shared their files with Ray's predecessor, Ken Starr.
In 1999 the Lamberts told NewsMax.com, "If you want a pattern of aggressive sexual behavior (by Clinton), we have that." (See: The Jane Doe Case Files - Part 1, Part 2, Part 3)
During Sunday's interview, the ex-independent counsel also defended himself against recent comments by lead House impeachment prosecutor David Schippers, who told NewsMax.com last week that he was "appalled" at the Ray Report's characterization of Kathleen Willey as an unreliable witness.
"Let me say, first, that I have a great amount of respect for David Schippers," Ray told Malzberg, before noting that the former House impeachment prosecutor was speaking as Willey's lawyer when he condemned his report. (See: Schippers: 'I Was Appalled at Ray Report')
"The difficulty for any federal prosecutor," Ray told Malzberg. "is that no matter what a witness tells you, that information must be corroborated. And to the extent a witness tells you information and that witness, his or herself, has provided information.... that turns out to be false, the credibility of that witness is irreparably damaged." (See: Kathleen Willey Blasts Independent Counsel's Lewinsky Report)
Listen to WABC Radio's Steve Malzberg on "The Buzz" with Richard Bey, weekdays 6 to 8 p.m. EST, and solo Sunday's 9 a.m. to 12 noon EST, 770 on the AM dial.
Hey, Ray........
Bite me!
I guess that depends on what his definition of "was" was.
I am still angry with the Republic senators and many House leaders for being so cowardly.
The Republicans are just as culpable in letting Clinton slide as the Democrats, maybe even more so. They had majorities in both houses but let the minority dictate the rules. The Democrats had an excuse too. They might have thought it would have been bad for their party if Clinton went down.
What was the Republicans' excuse?
ML/NJ
As far as Ray is concerned, I recall at the time of his appointment that some knowledgeable freepers had his number. Looks like the number is ZERO.
Interesting that all three of the pols mentioned here as having direct knowledge and refusing to disclose it to the people, are Republicans.
Mr. Ray, you are a jerk. No matter who didn't want to see the evidence, the American people deserved to, and YOU WITHHELD IT. And YOU are STILL withholding it.
The "Authority & Prestige" of the OFFICE of the President of the United States has value to our Nation FAR ABOVE the failings of its occupant.
The "Office of the Presidency" is an important National Asset! I Don't pretend to have the "wisdom" to evaluate the "Damage" "Full Disclosure" of the "Clinton Crimes" would do to our International "Leverage!"
Doc
I'll be 100 years old in 2048. Somebody may have to push my wheelchair to the National Archives, but I intend to read those secret files!
I hope Ray loses his race. What a creep.
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