American Politics Journal

Dan Burton's Lesson
Shaking Down the Pakistanis for Profit and Revenge
by Jeff Koopersmith

Thursday, April 3rd, 1997 -- NEW YORK (APJP) -- The heat was turned up on Rep. Dan Burton as lobbyist Mark Siegal testified before a federal grand jury yesterday. Siegal alleges that Burton -- the Republican heading the House investigation into campaign fund-raising abuses -- shook him down for campaign money.

Siegal is represented by mega-star attorney Plato Cacheris, who does not normally take on clients without "depth of spin." Siegal, as reported here, told the world that Burton threatened him, saying he would ruin his business relationship with Pakistan -- a client of Siegal -- unless Pakistan funneled campaign money of at least $5,000 to Burton's re-election campaign. The money was allegedly to come from Pakistani-Americans.

Brian Sailer, Siegal's partner, backed up the story in front of the grand jury as well, it's thought.

An interesting problem for Siegal is whether the Pakistanis will voluntary appear before the grand jury to back up the story. Diplomatic immunity and fear of involvement in this ever-widening scandal may keep them locked behind closed doors.

Burton's only comment has been "baloney!" But the wily Cacheris retorted, "That's baloney," according to Reuters.

One might guess that Burton will "step down" as head of the House investigating committee for the foreseeable future sometime next week. However, it is the Speaker who must determine Burton's future. If the manner in which Newt Gingrich has handled his own troubles is any indication, perhaps he'll decide that Burton should stay on -- defying the inevitable -- as did Gingrich.

So as not to be accused of bias, we turn our attention to Webster Hubbell.

The recent stories that Mack McClarty and Erskine Bowles, respectively the former and present White House Chief of Staff, pressured friends to help their buddy Webster Hubbell get a job, may prove to be the crack that breaks the dam at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. The key? Proving that lucrative contracts from long-time Clinton supporters and friends were a tit-for-tat deal. The tit being Hubbell's refusal to shed light on Whitewater and other scandals to special prosecutor "Malibu Ken" Starr.

A group, including zillionairre Clinton supporters Truman Arnold, Bernie Rappaport and the Riadys, raised at least $400,000 in "fees" for Hubbell after he was forced out of the number three spot at the Justice Department and subsequently indicted and convicted for shady dealings while at the Rose Law Firm.

The hanging question is why would anyone hire Hubbell for anything? The answer has not been forthcoming.