Clinton seeks delay in Arkansas legal disciplinary hearing
By Bob Franken/CNN
March 16, 2000
Web posted at: 5:12 p.m. EST (2212 GMT)
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bill Clinton has applied for an extension in the
time allotted for him to respond to charges he should be disciplined by the
Arkansas State Supreme Court for his testimony in the Paula Jones sexual
harrassment case.
"We have filed today with the Arkansas Committee on Professional Conduct an application
for an extension of time for the president to respond, until 30 days after he leaves office,"
said David Kendall, Clinton's attorney, in a statement Thursday -- the day the response was
due. "Pursuant to the committee's rules, we have filed this application under seal."
Clinton was found in contempt by U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright
for what she called his "misleading" testimony during his deposition in the
Paula Jones case in January 1998. She fined Clinton and turned the matter over
to the committee on professional conduct, the arm of the Arkansas State Supreme
Court that decides how to discipline attorneys in the state. The committee's
actions could include disbarment of Clinton.
The president recently paid his annual $100 fee to maintain his state law
license, which is seen as an indication he plans to fight disciplinary action.
His lawyers argue that he cannot effectively do so as long as he is distracted
by the demands of the presidency.
There was no immediate response from the Arkansas committee.
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