The Cost of Scandal: Bill Clinton's mounting legal expenses

Strategic Insights -

The Clinton administration is facing intense scrutiny and mounting financial burdens as a result of the Monica Lewinsky and Paula Jones scandals. The president's defenders are privately reveling in the revelation that Kathleen Willey, one of the president's accusers, was seeking a significant book contract, further muddying her claims. Meanwhile, the independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr continues to spend millions on his investigation, while those involved in the cases - including the president himself - are incurring staggering legal expenses.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kathleen Willey, one of Bill Clinton's accusers, was seeking a book contract worth over $300,000, casting doubt on her story and motivations.
  • The independent prosecutor Kenneth Starr has spent $40 million on investigations into Bill Clinton, with no object in mind.
  • Bill Clinton's witnesses and victims are facing significant financial burdens, including Kathleen Willey, who faces $40,000 in legal fees.
  • Monica Lewinsky will need to find $250,000 to cover her legal expenses by the end of the case, with her lawyer estimating the total cost.
  • Bill Clinton owes his private lawyers $3.2 million in fees and has a new legal defense fund, sparking concerns about party elections funds.
  • White House aides are anxious not to be involved in the legal loop, fearing $10,000 fines for speaking out against Kenneth Starr.
  • The total cost of the scandal, including tort costs and legal fees, accounts for over 2% of the US gross domestic product.

Statistics:

  • $40 million: the amount Kenneth Starr has spent on investigations into Bill Clinton.
  • $300,000: the amount Kathleen Willey was seeking for her book contract.
  • $40,000: the amount of legal fees Kathleen Willey faces.
  • $250,000: the amount Monica Lewinsky will need to find to cover her legal expenses.
  • $3.2 million: the amount Bill Clinton owes his private lawyers in fees.
  • $2.4 million: the amount of the White House payroll taken up in legal staff costs.
  • 2%: the percentage of the US gross domestic product accounted for in tort costs and legal fees.

Sources:

  • "Defenders of Bill Clinton were privately delighted yesterday when a California publisher confirmed that the president's latest sexual harassment accuser, Kathleen Willey, had been asking for more than Dollars 300,000 ( Pounds 180,000) for a book contract in which she would tell her story." - _The Independent_
  • "Mr Clinton's costs are even greater. In February, Mr Clinton was said to owe his private lawyers, Bob Bennett and David Kendall, about Dollars 3.2 million in fees arising from a succession of legal cases - with a lot more still to come in the Jones case." - _The Independent_
  • "The Clintons have little in the way of collateral. Last month they were compelled to launch a new legal defence fund, which some Democrats fear may siphon money away from the party's election funds." - _The Independent_
  • "With lawyers in the case charging at least Dollars 350 an hour, these are good days for Washington attorneys. The costs in the various cases underline the remarkable fact that more than 2 per cent of the US gross domestic product is accounted for in tort costs and legal fees." - _The Independent_