NEW YORK (AllPolitics, December 10) -- Abe Hirschfeld, the wealthy businessman who offered Paula Jones $1 million to settle her sexual harassment suit against President Bill Clinton, was in police custody Thursday under indictment in a killer-for-hire scheme.

The New York financier is being held on charges he tried to hire a hit man to kill business partner Stanley Stahl according to the unsealed indictment.

Abe Hirschfeld

A representative of the New York police department tells CNN that Hirschfeld was arrested at 11:40 p.m. Wednesday at his home on Manhattan's Fifth Avenue. The 79-year-old Hirschfeld was taken into custody and is being held at central bookings in Manhattan.

New York City Police say the sealed indictment was handed down by the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Hirschfeld told WABC-TV Wednesday night he was innocent but expected to be indicted.

"I never had an interest in killing anybody," he said. "I don't need it. Everybody knows I can't kill a fly."

The partners reportedly had a disagreement after a real estate deal involving three East Side buildings and a parking lot site went sour. A legal case over the deal was settled out-of-court in February, the Daily News said Thursday.

After first reporting the investigation into the murder plot last year, Hirschfeld sued the Daily New for $50 million in damages. The case is still pending.

Previously Hirschfeld has been indicted by the state of New York for tax fraud and was sued by his daughter over a business deal.

Hirschfeld, who once briefly owned the New York Post, offered Paula Jones $1 million in October to settle her civil suit against the president. He stipulated the money must go directly to Jones and not to pay legal fees.

In the $850,000 settlement between Clinton and Jones last month, Jones' attorneys said that Hirschfeld offer was not going to be accepted.

Thursday, December 10, 1998

• Judiciary members begin historic impeachment debate
• Poll: Most Americans think Clinton committed perjury
• Judiciary lawyers debate Clinton's conduct
• Gingrich warns House to be ready to be called into session
• Democrats respond to proposed articles of impeachment
• Businessman who offered Jones $1 million is arrested
• Election commission rejects penalties for Clinton, Dole
• Analysis: Hearings lack Watergate drama
• LaHood selected to run House impeachment debate
• Second videotape of Clinton about to debut
• Pentagon report: Hughes helped China improve rockets
• Republican John Ensign concedes loss in Nevada Senate race

Transcripts:
• Closing arguments by Lowell
• Closing arguments by Schippers

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