[TigersEye]

The L.A. Times, another right-wing paper, reports the biggest fine ever levied paid by Lockheed Martin Corp. for illegally helping the ChiComs.

LA Times 6/14/00 Norman Kempster "……Lockheed Martin Corp. will pay a record $13-million fine for illegally helping the Chinese government correct critical defects in the rocket motor for its Long March 2E satellite launch vehicle, Clinton administration officials said Tuesday. Lockheed, the world's largest defense contractor, consented to the penalty to settle charges brought by the State Department in April. The fine was the largest ever imposed under the Arms Export Control Act, eclipsing a $10-million penalty imposed on Boeing Corp. in 1998. "The settlement is in recognition of the government's concerns about protecting national security through strict regulatory controls and Lockheed Martin's commitment to compliance with these regulations," said company spokesman James Fetig……..Although the firm was not required to admit guilt to settle the case, it agreed to pay a fine that was only slightly short of the $15-million maximum that could have been imposed if the government had prevailed on all 30 counts of the charges in a proceeding before an administrative law judge……"

[TigersEye]

Nothing to see here folks. Just right-wing AP trying to smear a good Democrat president. Move along.

AP 5/22/98 "……. `The criminal division of the Justice Department has cautioned that a national interest waiver in this case could have a significant adverse impact on any prosecution that might take place based on a pending investigation of export violation,'' National Security Adviser Sandy Berger wrote the president on Feb. 12. …..Clinton granted the waiver just six days later ……Just two weeks before the decision, Schwartz, a lifelong Democrat and early supporter of Clinton, was at the White House to attend a state dinner Feb. 5 for British prime minister Tony Blair. ……"