Crooked Claims About Clinton

Return of the Clinton-Bashers

Many of the individuals and groups helping Paul have long histories of Clinton-bashing or attacks on other Democrats. David Schippers, for example, who appears on the tape, is the former chief investigative counsel for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee during the 1998 Clinton impeachment hearings.

Another character from that era who is involved in this story is Lucianne Goldberg. Goldberg rose to prominence as the person behind Linda Tripp's plan to tape her conversations with friend Monica Lewinsky in connection with Lewinsky's relationship with Bill Clinton. Paul told us that he became friendly with Goldberg via e-mail when he was in a Brazilian prison (don't even ask) and that it was Goldberg who "leaked" the unfinished video, which was intended to be cut down to be a preview, to the media in October last year.

Paul is now represented by another conservative legal group, the United States Justice Foundation, after having a falling-out with, and suing, Judicial Watch. Paul contended that Judicial Watch used his case as a fundraising tool for itself while doing little to help him legally, which the group denies. USJF is behind the Hillary Clinton Accountability Project (HillCAP), a Web site that features court documents, news articles and other material related to Paul's complaints against the Clintons. According to the Associated Press, the HillCAP Web site is operated by two conservatives who were instrumental in the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth site in 2004, Robert Hahn and Scott Swett.

Earlier this month, Paul asked the FEC to reopen its investigation into the 2000 fundraiser, claiming the videotaped phone conversation we mentioned earlier is further proof of crimes related to the event, and that New York Senate 2000 has not properly complied with the conciliation agreement. The agency has not yet acted.

Meanwhile, Paul is still awaiting sentencing on his securities fraud conviction.