Posted by
P.A. Moore on Wednesday, March 26, 2008 7:09:24 AM
March 1992- The New York Times reports that, while Governor of Arkansas, Bill Clinton and his advisers made last minute changes to a proposed ethics law, in order to delete any conflict-of-interest provisions for the Governor.
If subject to the law's conflict-of-interest provision, Gov. Clinton would have had to disclose all transactions in which his "duties would include the taking of an action or the making of a decision that may cause financial benefit or detriment to him, to a member of the public servant’s family or a business in which he or she is an officer, director, stockholder owning more than 10 percent of the stock of the company, owner, trustee, partner or employee, which is distinguishable from the effects of the action from the public generally or a broad segment of the public, shall: prepare a written statement describing the matter requiring the action or decision and stating the potential conflict."
Then-Gov. Clinton's wife, Hillary, was a partner in the Rose Law Firm, which did business for the State, and also had a significant level of business representing clients in disputes with the State. If subject to this law, Gov. Clinton would have had to report all such conflicts-of-interest periodically.
“Candidate's Record; Clinton Worked to Exempt His Office From Ethics Code"
by Jeff Gerth
March 27, 1992