Clinton's Security Detail Troopers Implicated in Jones Lawsuit

President Clinton's security detail troopers, including Trooper Danny Ferguson and Trooper Larry Patterson, have come under scrutiny in the Paula Jones lawsuit, with Jones' lawyers claiming they were offered jobs and/or threatened to keep silent about their suspicions of Clinton's infidelity. However, Clinton's lawyer, Robert S. Bennett, points to other responses in their depositions that suggest some of the troopers held grudges against Clinton and were being goaded by political conservatives. Meanwhile, some troopers have acknowledged being offered jobs in return for their silence, with Ferguson allegedly being offered a job in Clinton's administration.

Key Takeaways:

• Trooper Danny Ferguson, who escorted Paula Jones to a meeting with Gov. Clinton, reported in his deposition that Jones had a "come-hither look" when she met Clinton.
• Jones' lawyers claim Ferguson was offered a job in Clinton's administration in return for his silence, including not only the situation with Jones but also a range of incidents from Clinton's questionable past.
• Trooper Larry Patterson, who worked in Gov. Clinton's security detail from 1987 to 1993, was allegedly told by Buddy Young, the head of Gov. Clinton's security detail, to keep his mouth shut about Clinton's extramarital activities.
• Patterson acknowledged being praised by figures such as House Speaker Newt Gingrich, former Iran-contra figure Oliver North, and former Watergate figure G. Gordon Liddy for raising allegations of Clinton's womanizing.
• Trooper Roger Perry claimed he was offered jobs in return for his silence and that then-Gov. Clinton at times instructed him to pick up presents for women.
• Trooper L.D. Brown said he was offered a job in return for his silence by long-time Clinton aide Betsy Wright, but later under cross-examination by Clinton lawyers, said he was not aware of any sexual encounters by then-Gov. Clinton.

Statistics:

• 1987-1993: The time period during which Trooper Larry Patterson worked in Gov. Clinton's security detail.
• 1987-1993: The time period during which Clinton's alleged extramarital activities were reportedly occurring.
• 1991: The year in which Paula Jones allegedly met President Clinton at the Little Rock Excelsior Hotel.
• 1993: The year in which Trooper Larry Patterson left Gov. Clinton's security detail.

Sources:

• (c) 1998, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.