July 18, 1995 - Part 3
July 18, 1995 - Part 3
(12:10:36) Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, in the beginning of 1993, a number of you from the Rose Law Finn went to Washington, Can you tell us, other than the obvious fact that Mrs. Clinton went to Washington, who left the firm to take various positions with the Clinton Administration? Mr. HUBBELL. Vince left the firm to become Deputy White House Counsel. I left to become an Assistant to the Attorney General in the Justice Department, Within a month, Bill Kennedy came to be an Associate Counsel in the White House. Mr. CHERTOFF. Let's turn, first, to your career at the Department of Justice. I'd like to focus your attention really on the period 1993, from the time you arrived in Washington up through June or July of 1993. How did you come to be appointed to a position within the Department? Mr. HUBBELL. I had been asked by the President whether I was willing to come to Washington and be a part of the Administration. He initially asked me to visit with Zoe Baird to see if there was a fit. I interviewed with Zoe Baird in early January, and she asked that I join the Department of Justice with her and be available on January 20, Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, we all know that ultimately Zoe Baird didn't become the Attorney General. At the point in time that Janet Reno became Attorney General, did you assume a position in the hierarchy of the Department of Justice? 44 (12:12:06)(tape #10109 ends) Mr. HUBBELL. I had been an assistant to Stuart Gerson, and I played that same role with Janet Reno, but probably more ex- panded. At that time, we still did not have any Assistant Attorney Generals even nominated, or a nominee for Deputy or Solicitor as well. Ultimately, I became Acting Associate Attorney General and then was confirmed by the Senate and became Associate Attorney General. Mr. CHERTOFF. Associate Attorney General was the third position' in the Department? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. You basically had responsibility for what are generally regarded as the civil parts of what the Department does? Mr. HUBBELL. That's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, did you come to know a man by the name of Phil Heymann? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, I did. Mr. CHERTOFF. Was he the Deputy Attorney General? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, he was the Acting Deputy and then upon being confirmed he became Deputy Attorney General. Mr. CHERTOFF. What were his responsibilities as Deputy? Mr. HUBBELL. Phil was the number two position at Justice. He supervised not only the criminal division, but the criminal divisions of the Department of Justice, such as the FBI, the DEA, the marshals and the prisons. Mr. CHERTOFF. Were you aware that Mr. Heymann had a lot of experience from his prior career in working at the Department of Justice and particularly in the area of criminal law? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, I was. I believe he was the Assistant Attorney General for the criminal division at one time and was aware of his extensive background in the area of criminal law. I actually-Phil and I talked a lot about it and I interviewed Phil with Janet Reno when he first came to the Department of Justice. Mr. CHERTOFF. You obviously thought he was well qualified to direct the criminal activities, the criminal investigative activities of the Department? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, I did. Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, within the top hierarchy of the Department, is it fair to say that you were the principal liaison with the White House? Mr. HUBBELL. I think that's fair. I mean, there was no real line of authority to the White House, but I was-because of the unique, nature of what happened with regard to Zoe Baird and my familiarity with a lot of people in the White House, I would say that is correct. Mr, CHERTOFF. You had occasion, both socially and in terms Of. your job responsibilities, to be over at the White I-louse? Mr. HUBBELL. That's correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you ever visit Vincent Foster in his office? Mr. HUBBELL. I think, except for one time, every time I went to the White I-louse I tried to stop by and see Vince. Mr. CHERTOFF. Did you also come to know the White House Counsel? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, I did. I worked with him briefly in the transition and, then, like I said, I would probably be in contact with Bernie and/or Vince on a daily basis. Mr. CHERTOFF. Bernie is Bernard Nussbaum? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes. Mr. CHERTOFF. He was a lawyer in New York; correct? Mr. HUBBELL. Yes, he is. Mr. CHERTOFF. Am I correct that at the time that Mr. Foster joined the White House Counsel's Office, he took the number two position directly under Mr. Nussbaum? Mr. HUBBELL. That's correct. I believe they were announced on the same day. Mr. CHERTOFF, Then Mr. Kennedy was an Associate White House Counsel as well? Mr. HUBBELL. That is correct. Mr. CHERTOFF. Now, where were Mr. Foster's and Mr. Nussbaum's offices physically located? Mr. HUBBELL. They were on the top floor of the-I guess they call it the West Wing, in one corner of the White House there. Mr. CHERTOFF. Physically in the White House building? Mr. HUBBELL. Physically in the White House building on the top floor, yes.