A federal judge declared the case "groundless". Clinton, by then was looking at a multi-million dollar income from book deals and speaking engagements. He wanted to move on with his life. Jones was over $700,000 in debt from legal fees and had nothing to lose by appealing.
The settlement worked for both Clinton and Jones. Clinton got Jones out of his hair forever and Jones got out from under $700,000 debt.
Paula Jones then went on to pose for Penthouse and wrestle Tonya Harding. Her post-lawsuit career casts further doubt on her motives and credibility in bringing the lawsuit against Clinton, so much so that even ultra-conservative pundit Ann Coulter called Jones "white trash."
Defendants oftem pay up because the cost of a defense exceeds the cost of a settlement. It's ugly, but that's the way our legal system works. If you believe Clinton is "guilty" because he settled, that's your right - but there is no eveidence to support your belief. Given the popularity and high esteem so many Americans have for Bill Clinton, I'd say your opinion is in the minority.
On Jan. 19, 2001, the day before he left office, Clinton agreed to a five-year suspension of his Arkansas law license and his paying of a $25,000 fine to the Arkansas Bar Association. In exchange, Kenneth Starr's successor, Robert Ray, agreed to close the Whitewater probe, ending the threat of criminal liability for Mr. Clinton after he left office.
Mr. Clinton had no plans to resume his law career, so the issue of him agreeing to a five-year suspension as part of a settlement and making a donation to the bar association is largely symbolic, certainly not punitive. Robert Ray needed something to show for the tens of millions spent investigating Clinton, and this is the best he could do. Again, it was a settlement in the interests of and agreed to by both parties.
It is only my opinion, but I suspect there would be few lawyers practicing law anywhere if all were forced to testify under oath about their private sexual conduct. |
