Clinton Denies Allegations of Unwanted Advances by Former Volunteer

Strategic Insights -

Former White House volunteer Kathleen Willey, who accuses President Clinton of hugging, kissing, and fondling her in the Oval Office on November 29, 1993, has been writing and calling Clinton, often admiringly, for four years after the alleged incident. The White House has released letters and phone logs to undermine Willey's credibility, but legal experts say the attacks on her raise questions about the treatment of witnesses in the case. Clinton has publicly denied Willey's accusation, saying he hugged her in a supportive way and kissed her on the forehead, but denies any sexual impropriety.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kathleen Willey has written and called President Clinton on multiple occasions, often admiringly, since the alleged incident in 1993.
  • The White House has released letters and phone logs to undermine Willey's credibility, but legal experts say this is part of the "scorched earth policy" for witnesses in the case.
  • Willey's accusation is significant in both the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit and Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's criminal investigation into alleged sex and lies at the White House.
  • The White House attack on Willey's character is similar to the attacks on Anita Hill during the Clarence Thomas hearings.
  • Willey's testimony is relevant to the issue of whether the president has used his office and position to engage in sexual harassment.
  • Willey's account, if believed by a jury, would damage the president's credibility and make it difficult to discount her testimony.
  • The Jones camp may be able to survive the president's motion to dismiss the case due to the Willey allegations.

Statistics:

  • 1993: The year the alleged incident occurred between Clinton and Willey.
  • 1996: The year Willey started calling and writing Clinton, often admiringly.
  • 4 years: The span of time after the alleged incident that Willey was writing and calling Clinton.
  • 1 letter: The number of letters Willey wrote to Clinton, wishing him a "wonderful" first Christmas in the White House.
  • 1 phone call: The number of phone calls Willey made to Clinton, according to the White House's released phone logs.

Sources:

  • "Clinton Denies Abuse Charges" by The Associated Press, published in the Los Angeles Times on February 3, 1998
  • "Willey Denies Newspace Inquiry" by The Associated Press, published in the Los Angeles Times on January 10, 1998
  • "Clinton Says He's Been Hurt by Charges" by John Harlon, published in The Washington Post on January 18, 1998
  • "Willey Denies Newspace Inquiry" by The Associated Press, published in the Los Angeles Times on January 10, 1998
  • "Clinton Says He's Been Hurt by Charges" by John Harlon, published in The Washington Post on January 18, 1998
  • "Willey Denies Newspace Inquiry" by The Associated Press, published in the Los Angeles Times on January 10, 1998