Clinton Addresses Whitewater Affair, Uncertainty over Tax Owing

President Clinton spoke with wire reporters, addressing controversy surrounding the Whitewater affair, a 16-year-old Arkansas land deal involving himself and his wife, Hillary Rodham Clinton. The president expressed uncertainty over the extent of their loss and whether tax deductions taken in the wake of the venture were appropriate. Despite this, he asserted his intent was always to be scrupulous in preparing their taxes, and that any errors that might have occurred were "purely inadvertent."

Key Takeaways:

• President Clinton stated he is unsure whether he and his wife owe more taxes in the Whitewater affair, but if errors are found, they were "purely inadvertent."
• Clinton emphasized his and his wife's intent was to be excessively scrupulous in preparing their taxes, always hiring an accountant to review their annual return.
• A previous examination of the affair by a firm Clinton hired during the campaign did identify an error, which the Clintons then reconciled.
• The Clintons are currently going over relevant documents in preparation for turning them over to Robert Fiske, the special counsel appointed to examine the entire affair.
• Clinton maintained that his and his wife's intention was to "resolve all doubt in favor of the government" on tax issues.
• Clinton's response was part of a 40-minute interview primarily focused on his health care plan.

Statistics:

• The Whitewater affair is a 16-year-old issue.
• An error was found in the Clintons' tax return as a result of a previous examination by a firm hired by Clinton.
• Clinton and his wife have hired an accountant to review their annual return.

Sources:

• WASHINGTON, March 18 President Clinton said Friday he is unsure whether he owes more taxes in the Whitewater affair but if any errors turn up on his tax returns, they were 'purely inadvertent.'
• President Clinton spoke from a press conference, taking questions about the Whitewater affair and tax records.