July 19, 1995 - Part 2
July 19, 1995 - Part 2
(11:55:15) He went on to say in response to this question at page 199: Question: You indicated that you were not surprised a bit that there would be both public and private files in Mr. Foster's office; isn't that so? Answer: I think what I said was I was not surprised a bit that he would be working on both public legal matters and personal legal matters of the President. Question: And this is on the basis of your understanding of the practical function of the White House Counsel's Office? Answer: Yes. Now, does that comport with your understanding of the function of White House Counsel? Mr. HUBBELL. It does. I think I've said, I believe, the President is in a unique position. I find it-it would almost be impossible for White House Counsel not to have some involvement in some personal matters for the President. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. With respect to personal financial matters, could you explain, with respect to the official requirements of the Counsel's Office in assisting the President with various financial disclosure and other forms, why it would be likely that such personal financial matters and documents might be found in the Office of Counsel to the President? Mr, HUBBELL. There are, as I think everybody knows, a lot of disclosure forms that have to be filed by governmental officials, and you want to make sure that those are done appropriately and properly. I don't know of any person in the world who is more scrutinized than the President of the United States, whether it's a Republican or a Democrat. Everything that-any public form, any filing is going to be gone over with a fine-tooth comb. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. So, to bring closure on this particular issue, Mr. Adams was the individual at the Justice Department who is a senior person charged with providing ethics advice to lawyers at the Justice Department, essentially a lawyer teaching lawyers their ethical responsibility. Mr. Adams was a person, one of two, along with Mr. Margolis, who had been sent by Deputy Attorney General Philip Heymann to the Counsel's Office to participate in the search, and it was Mr. Adams' view that it did not surprise him a bit that personal financial records were in Vincent Foster's file. Mr. HUBBELL. Doesn't surprise me, either. Mr. BEN-VENISTE. I have nothing further at this time, Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Senator Faircloth. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Hubbell, to just go back very briefly to the Eastern Shore weekend and then move on from that, why did you feel compelled to spend the weekend with Mr. Foster? You appeared very much to want to spend that weekend with him because of some shuffling of arrangements. Would you mind telling me why? Was there any special reason you wanted to? 117 Mr. HUBBELL. Vince and Lisa are my very, very good friends, and it was a wonderful place that we had been invited to be at. It had a tennis court, it had a swimming pool, the lake or the river is just wonderful, and I wanted to share that weekend with my good friend and relax. Our host, I believe it's-the property is actually owned by Carolyn's father. There were other guests; one was a tennis coach and he gave lessons to both Lisa and my wife. Senator FAIRCLOTH. I thank you. Mr. Hubbell, Vince Foster was a lifelong friend of President Clinton's. I believe you testified they were in kindergarten together. Mr. Foster worked closely with Hillary Clinton at the Rose Law Firm and has been referred to as her mentor at the firm. Would you say that Mr. Foster had a very special relationship with the Clintons? Mr. HUBBELL. He was a very close friend with both Mr. and Mrs. Clinton- President and Mrs. Clinton. Senator FAIRCLOTH. Now, moving to the Monday evening following the weekend we referred to, you and the President were going to watch a movie in the White House, and the President called Vince Foster in his office to invite him to come join you in watching the movie; is that correct?