Hillary Clinton's Former Campaign Finance Director Indicted

[GaryC 7]

Hillary Clinton's Former Campaign Finance Director Indicted

POSTED: 4:53 pm EST January 7, 2005

UPDATED: 10:15 am EST January 8, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's former finance director has been indicted on charges of filing fictitious reports that misstated contributions for a Hollywood fund-raising gala for the senator, the Justice Department said Friday.

The indictment, rare for a political campaign, was unsealed in Los Angeles charging David Rosen with four counts of filing false reports with the Federal Election Commission. The charges focus on an Aug. 12, 2000, dinner and concert supported by more than $1.1 million in "in-kind contributions" -- goods and services provided for free or below cost. The event was estimated to cost more than $1.2 million.

The FBI previously said in court papers that it had evidence the former first lady's campaign deliberately understated its fund-raising costs so it would have more money to spend on her campaign.

While the event allegedly cost more than $1.2 million, the indictment said, Rosen reported contributions of about $400,000, knowing the figure to be false.

The indictment charged that he provided some documents to an FEC compliance officer but withheld the true costs of the event and provided false documents to substantiate the lower figure.

In one instance, Rosen obtained and delivered a fraudulent invoice stating the cost of a concert associated with the gala was $200,000 when he know that figure was false, according to the indictment. The actual cost of the concert was more than $600,000.

Each of the four counts of making a false statement carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines upon conviction.

Rosen's attorney, Paul Mark Sandler, did not return a call asking for comment. Mrs. Clinton's lawyer on campaign finance matters, David Kendall, said, "The Senate Campaign Committee has fully cooperated with the investigation. Mr. Rosen worked hard for the campaign, and we trust that when all the facts are in, he will be cleared."

The businessman who hosted the event, Peter Paul, has told federal authorities that it cost more than $1 million and that he had been surprised when he saw that most of the contributions were not reported.

The money from the fund-raiser went to Mrs. Clinton's successful campaign for a Senate seat from New York, the Democrats' national Senate campaign organization and a state Democratic Party committee.

The joint fund raising made the rules more complicated because the gala raised both "hard money" -- funds given to candidates subject to federal limits -- and "soft money" that was unregulated and unlimited under the former campaign finance law.

Underreporting the cost of the event allowed the committee to spend less of the coveted hard money, contributions that unlike soft money could be used to cover Clinton's campaigning costs.

Federal law governing such joint fund-raisers was designed to prevent joint committees from circumventing restrictions on the contributions given directly to candidates.

Most allegations of campaign finance irregularities are handled administratively through the FEC, although the Justice Department has investigated such matters in the past.

During former President Clinton's administration, a Justice Department campaign finance task force charged more than two dozen individuals and two corporations with fund-raising abuses from the 1996 election cycle. Many of the charges involved Democratic fund raising.

In addition to his Clinton effort, Rosen has raised money for several other high-profile Democratic candidates, including former presidential hopeful Wesley Clark. Most recently, he was named to the fund-raising team of Donnie Fowler, a candidate for the Democratic National Committee chairmanship.

"I'm sorry that that happened to David, but I don't think it's going to stop or slow down the campaign for chair," Fowler said in a telephone interview Friday.

http://www.wnbc.com/politics/4063107/detail.html

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

business as usual

[GaryC 7]

I ran across 3 stories about Clinton today. The one I didn't post is about her brother that didn't pay up to a carnival like he was suppost to. There is a political side to it though. The brother is taking money from people that prez Clinton pardoned. I just think that those that want a less corrupt and more open administration would be very poorly served by Clinton. She is the worst person running next year. I would hate to see her win.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Remember Vince Foster. That's all Im gonna say.

[GaryC 7]

Remember Vince Foster. That's all Im gonna say.

You could also say Whitewater and the travel office. But that would be piling on.

[Nagishkaw 510]

Trust me, I was sure tempted to, but for the reason you mentioned, I didn't.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I just think that those that want a less corrupt and more open administration would be very poorly served by Clinton.

Yep. On the other hand, there ain't nothing worse than what we have now. Not even Hillary.

Edited July 7, 2007 by ET-US2004

[GaryC 7]

I just think that those that want a less corrupt and more open administration would be very poorly served by Clinton.

Yep. On the other hand, there ain't nothing worse than what we have now. Not even Hillary.

Wait for it. If Mrs Billybob got in I think you will not like it one bit. It can get worse and if she gets in I think it will get worse.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I just think that those that want a less corrupt and more open administration would be very poorly served by Clinton.

Yep. On the other hand, there ain't nothing worse than what we have now. Not even Hillary.

Wait for it. If Mrs Billybob got in I think you will not like it one bit. It can get worse and if she gets in I think it will get worse.

Let's just agree that a Clinton sequel following the Bush sequel wouldn't be in the best interest of the country.