'Troopergate' is the popular name of an alleged
scandal involving allegations by two
Arkansas state troopers that they arranged sexual liaisons for then-
governor Bill Clinton. The allegations by state troopers Larry Patterson and Roger Perry were first reported by
David Brock in the
American Spectator in 1993. The story mentioned a woman named ''Paula''.
History
In his book, ''
Blinded by the Right'', David Brock claimed that in order to maintain journalistic integrity, he agreed to write the Troopergate article only if the four troopers who he interviewed were not paid. In 1998, a conservative fundraiser admitted that he had paid each of the troopers $6,700 after the articles were published. The payments were made behind Brock's back. Following the admission, Brock publicly apologized to President Clinton for his Troopergate story, which he stated was written not "in the interest of good government or serious journalism," but as part of an "anti-Clinton crusade."
[1]
This reference was cited by
Paula Jones in her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton. The case was summarily dismissed as groundless by Judge
Susan Webber Wright, because Jones could not show that she had suffered any damages whatsoever, even should all her charges prove true. Jones threatened to appeal the decision. On
November 13,
1998, Clinton settled with Jones for $850,000 (one third the size she asked for) and no apology, in exchange for dropping the appeal. All but $151,000 went to pay her now considerable legal expenses; meanwhile, her marriage had broken apart.
"Distinguishing characteristic" origins
Ann Coulter, working as unpaid legal advisor for the attorneys representing Jones, leaked questionable information about Clinton to the press. David Daley wrote an interview piece for the ''
Hartford Courant'' in which he noted
Arkansas state troopers
In 1994 and 1995,
Jerry Falwell paid $200,000 to ''Citizens for Honest Government'', who in turn paid two Arkansas state troopers to make allegations supporting a conspiracy about
Vincent Foster in the
Clinton Chronicles video.
[1] The two troopers, Roger Perry and Larry Patterson, also were paid for their allegations at the Jones-Clinton trial.
In March 2005, trooper Patterson was convicted of
lying to the FBI about an unrelated incident.
Related
★
Arkansas Project
★
Clinton Chronicles
★ "
Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy"
Sources
1. The Falwell connection by Murray Waas Salon.com