August 4, 1994 - Part 8
August 4, 1994 - Part 8
(18:10:26) Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Lindsey. Mr. LINDSEY. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. 1 believe you said earlier that you are originally from Arkansas; is that right? Mr. LINDSEY. Yes, sir, I am. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Before coming to Arkansas, how long had you lived there? I mean, before coming to Washington, excuse me, how long had you lived in Arkansas? Mr, LINDSEY. I was born and raised in Arkansas. I went to undergraduate school in Memphis. I then came to Washington as a Legislative Assistant to Senator Fulbright and to attend law school. I went back to Arkansas in 1975. Senator FAIRCLOTH. How many years were you in Arkansas? Mr. LINDSEY. Well, I mean, I've lived in Washington and Arkansas. I lived in Arkansas from 1975 until 1979 when I moved back to Washing-ton. I moved back to Arkansas in 1981 and lived there until 1993 when I joined the Clinton Administration. Senator FAIRCLOTH, How long have you known Bill Clinton? Mr. LINDSEY. I met him in 1968. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Lindsey, The Washington Post describes your role in the Clinton Administration in the following terms, and I quote, "Lindsey is like the plumber who fixes the faucet when the family is at work and slips the key back through the mail slot. No one saw him, but the problem is gone." Now, I certainly believe Senator KERRY. Where can I find that kind of plumber? Senator FAIRCLOTH. I believe that was intended and certainly is a favorable description of your effectiveness in the Administration. You would agree with that I hope? Mr. LINDSEY. I'm not sure I understood what it meant when I read it. 396 Senator FAIRCLOTH. Do you at times handle press inquiries relat-ing to matters in Arkansas involving President Clinton? Mr. LINDSEY. Yes, sir. Senator FAIRCLOTH. When was the first time you heard of the RTC investigation into Madison Guaranty? Mr. LINDSEY. Well, I guess the first time was in 1979 [19891 when they brought lawsuit against Jim McDougal. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Who brought the lawsuit against Mr. McDougal? Mr. LINDSEY. The Justice Department did. Senator FAIRCLOTH. You've been familiar with it from day 1 pretty much? Mr. LINDSEY, Again, being from Arkansas, I was aware that Jim McDougal was tried and acquitted. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Lindsey, are you aware of any communication between anyone at the White House and anyone at the Justice Department regarding press inquiries relating to the Resolution Trust Corporation criminal referral? Senator DODD. Mr. Chairman, I just-on a scope, is this The CHAIRMAN. I'm waiting for Senator FAIRCLOTH. This is before the September 29th "headsup" meeting. The CHAIRMAN. I was waiting for Senator Faircloth to finish his question here. Senator FAIRCLOTH. That would be The CHAIRMAN. I think the problem we have with that as well is when we get into the issue of Justice Department activity that's still under inquiry by Mr. Fiske, that is sort of screened off from us at this point, that that would fall into that prohibited area. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Chairman, this was a press inquiry. I didn't ask about-regarding press inquiries relating to the RTC criminal referral before September 29th. This is not White House. This is press. The CHAIRMAN. But did I understand you to say it was a contact of the Justice Department? Senator FAIRCLOTH. I'll read it again. The CHAIRMAN. Excuse me, I'm not trying to be argumentative, I'm just trying to understand. Senator FAIRCLOTH. That's right. Are you aware of any communication between anyone at the White House and anyone at the Justice Department regarding press inquiries relating to the RTC criminal referral before the September 29th "heads- up" meeting? The CHAIRMAN. Here, if I may say, the problem is not the subject of a press inquiry which would appear to be innocuous. It's the issue of a contact to the Justice Department and that area is still under active review by the Special Prosecutor and that's why question in that area Senator DODD. Independent Counsel. The CHAIRMAN. I meant to say Independent Counsel. That's why that area for the time being is fenced off. We'll get into that at a later time, but we can't at this time. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Chairman, I'll make a trade with you, I'll withdraw the question if you'll give me my time back. 397 The CHAIRMAN. Yes, I will. Senator DODD. Don't use that as a tactic all the time. [Laughter.] Senator FAIRCLOTH. Mr. Lindsey, I believe up until January or so you headed the White House Office of Personnel; is that correct? Mr, LINDSEY. Until November 1993, 1 was Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel. Senator FAIRCLOTH. The Washington Post reported that you helped the President pick, and I quote, "legal talent," Mr. LINDSEY. I still deal with judges, U.S. Attorneys, and Marshals.