Paula Jones

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For the audio engineer, see Paula Jones (audio engineer).

Paula Jones
Jones at the White House Correspondents Dinner, 1998
Born
Paula Rosalee Corbin

(1966-09-17) September 17, 1966 (age 57)
Lonoke, Arkansas, U.S.
Known forClinton v. Jones
Spouses
Steve Jones
​
​
(m. 1991; div. 1999)​
Steven McFadden
​
(m. 2001)​

Paula Corbin Jones (born Paula Rosalee Corbin; September 17, 1966) is an American civil servant. A former Arkansas state employee, Jones sued United States President Bill Clinton for sexual harassment in 1994. In the initial lawsuit, Jones cited Clinton for sexual harassment at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock, Arkansas on May 8, 1991. Following a series of civil suits and appeals through the U.S. District Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals from May 1994 to January 1996, Clinton v. Jones eventually reached the United States Supreme Court on May 27, 1997. The case was later settled on November 13, 1998.[1]

The Paula Jones case provided the impetus for Independent Counsel Ken Starr to broaden his ongoing investigation into Clinton's pre-presidency financial dealings with the Whitewater Land Company, and resulted in Clinton's impeachment in the House of Representatives and subsequent acquittal by the Senate on February 12, 1999. Specifically, Clinton was asked under oath about Monica Lewinsky in the Jones suit, denied having ever had sexual relations with her, and was accused of perjury after evidence of sexual contact was exposed. The Jones lawsuit also led to a landmark legal precedent by the U.S. Supreme Court which ruled that a sitting U.S. president is not exempt from civil litigation for acts committed outside of public office.

Jones's suit was dismissed as lacking legal merit prior to Clinton's impeachment and the exposure of the Lewinsky affair. But in August 1998, Clinton's relationship with Lewinsky, and compelling evidence that he had lied about it under oath in the Jones suit, was brought to light. At that point Jones appealed the ruling, and her appeal gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Lewinsky in August 1998.[2]

On appeal, Clinton agreed to an out-of-court settlement, paying Jones and her lawyers $850,000 to drop the suit.[3] Clinton's lawyer said that the President made the settlement only so he could end the lawsuit for good and move on with his life.[4] Jones and her lawyers said that the payment was evidence of Clinton's guilt.

Jones continues to maintain that Clinton sexually harassed her.[5] Clinton continues to deny it.[6]

Early life[edit]

Jones was born in Lonoke, Arkansas. She was the daughter of a minister in the Church of the Nazarene and raised within that congregation.[7]

Jones graduated from a high school in Carlisle, Arkansas, in 1984.[8] She briefly attended a secretarial school in Little Rock, Arkansas.[9] Living in Little Rock, she met her husband, Steve Jones, in 1989.[10] She worked a number of jobs before joining the Arkansas Industrial Development Commission (AIDC) in March 1991.[9][10]

Clinton v. Jones[edit]

Background[edit]

In a declaration sworn under penalty of felony,[11] Jones alleged that, on May 8, 1991, while working on official business in her capacity as a state employee of the AIDC, she attended the Annual Governor's Quality Conference at the Excelsior Hotel in Little Rock. Jones alleged she was asked by an Arkansas State Police Trooper to report to Arkansas Governor Clinton's hotel room in the Excelsior[12][13][14] Hotel (now the Little Rock Marriott), where Clinton propositioned and exposed himself to her. She claimed she kept quiet about the incident until 1994, when a David Brock story in The American Spectator magazine printed an account. Jones filed a sexual harassment suit against Clinton on May 6, 1994, two days before the expiration of the three-year statute of limitations, and sought $750,000 in damages.[15]

Initial lawsuit[edit]

Jones was initially represented by Gilbert Davis and Joseph Cammarata, two Washington, D.C.–area lawyers. Susan Carpenter-McMillan, a California conservative commentator, became her press spokesperson. Carpenter-McMillan wasted no time bringing the issue to the press, calling Clinton "un-American", a "liar", and a "philanderer" on Meet the Press, Crossfire, Equal Time, Larry King Live, Today, The Geraldo Rivera Show, Burden of Proof, Hannity & Colmes, Talkback Live, and other shows. "I do not respect a man who cheats on his wife, and exposes his penis to a stranger," she said.[16]

Judge Susan Webber Wright granted President Clinton's motion for summary judgment, ruling that Jones could not demonstrate that she had suffered any damages. As to the claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress, Wright ruled that Jones failed to show that Clinton's actions constituted "outrageous conduct" as required of the tort, alongside not showing proof of damages caused by distress.[17] Jones appealed the dismissal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, where, at oral argument, two of the three judges on the panel appeared sympathetic to her arguments.[4] Clinton and his defense team then challenged Jones' right to bring a civil lawsuit against a sitting president for an incident that occurred prior to the defendant's becoming president. The Clinton defense team took the position that the trial should be delayed until the president was no longer in office, because the job of the president is unique and does not allow him to take time away from it to deal with a private civil lawsuit. The case went through the courts, eventually reaching the Supreme Court. On May 27, 1997, the Court unanimously ruled against Clinton, and allowed the lawsuit to proceed.[12] Clinton dismissed Jones' story and agreed to move on with the lawsuit.[18]

On August 29, 1997, Jones' attorneys Davis and Cammarata asked to resign from the case, believing the settlement offer they had secured, which Jones refused, was the appropriate way to end the case.[19] Jones had reportedly told her lawyers she wanted an apology from Clinton, in addition to a settlement.[20] In September, Judge Wright accepted their request.[15]

Jones was then represented by the Rutherford Institute, a conservative legal organization, and by a Dallas law firm. Carpenter-McMillan continued to serve as Jones' spokesperson. In December 1997, Jones reduced the damages sought in her suit against Clinton to $525,000 and agreed to remove Clinton's co-defendant and former bodyguard, Danny Ferguson, from the suit.[15]

On April 1, 1998, before the case could reach trial,[21] Judge Wright granted Clinton's motion for dismissal, ruling that Jones could not show that she had suffered any damages.[21][22] Jones soon appealed the dismissal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit.[4]

Conclusion of case[edit]

On November 13, 1998, Clinton settled with Jones for $850,000 in exchange for her agreement to drop the appeal.[4] However, in the four page settlement deal, Clinton acknowledging no wrongdoing and offered no apology.[4] Robert S. Bennett, Clinton's attorney, still maintained that Jones's claim was baseless and that Clinton only settled to end the lawsuit and move on.[4] In March 1999, Judge Wright ruled that Jones would get only $200,000 from the settlement and that the rest of the money would pay for her legal expenses.[23]

Before the end of the entire litigation, her marriage broke apart. She also appeared in the news media to show the results of a makeover[24] and rhinoplasty paid for by a donor.[25]

In April 1999, Judge Wright found Clinton in civil contempt of court for misleading testimony in the Jones case. She ordered Clinton to pay $1,202 to the court and an additional $90,000 to Jones's lawyers for expenses incurred,[26][27][28] far less than the $496,000 that the lawyers originally requested.[28]

Wright then referred Clinton's conduct to the Arkansas Bar Association for disciplinary action, and on January 19, 2001, the day before Clinton left the office of president, he entered into an agreement with the Arkansas Bar and independent counsel Robert Ray under which Clinton's license to practice law in Arkansas was suspended for a period of five years.[29][30] His fine was paid from a fund raised for his legal expenses.

Penthouse magazine[edit]

In December 1994, federal judge Peter K. Leisure ordered Penthouse magazine not to distribute semi-nude photographs of Jones that had been taken by her ex-boyfriend Mike Turner. Owner Bob Guccione argued that the photos counted under "illustrations of newsworthy articles" and called the order prohibiting distribution of the magazine an instance of prior restraint, a position reflected by several law professors; he also said the issue was already out in the hands of distributors.[31] This temporary restraining order was lifted two days later.[32] She later posed for photos illustrating an article, "The Perils of Paula Jones", in the December 2000 issue, citing the pressures of a large tax bill and two young sons to support.[33][34]

Lewinsky scandal connection[edit]

Jones's lawyers decided to show to the court a pattern of behavior by Clinton that involved his allegedly repeatedly becoming sexually involved with state or government employees. Jones's lawyers therefore subpoenaed women they suspected Clinton had had affairs with, including Arkansas Appeal Tribunal employee Gennifer Flowers,[35] as well as White House employee Monica Lewinsky. In his deposition for the Jones lawsuit, Clinton denied having "sexual relations" with Monica Lewinsky. Based on testimony provided by Linda Tripp, which identified the existence of a blue dress with Clinton's semen on it, Kenneth Starr concluded that Clinton's sworn testimony was false and perjurious.

During the deposition in the Jones case, Clinton was asked, "Have you ever had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, as that term is defined in Deposition Exhibit 1, as modified by the Court?" The judge ordered that Clinton be given an opportunity to review the definition. It said that "a person engages in sexual relations when the person knowingly engages in or causes contact with the genitalia, anus, groin, breast, inner thigh, or buttocks of any person with an intent to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person".[36][37][38] Clinton flatly denied having sexual relations with Lewinsky.[39] Later, at the Starr Grand Jury, Clinton stated that he believed the definition of sexual relations agreed upon for the Jones deposition excluded his receiving oral sex.

It was upon the basis of this statement that the House of Representatives voted to impeach Clinton on December 19, 1998, on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice. Clinton was subsequently tried before the Senate, where votes on either charge both fell far short of the 2/3 supermajority required for conviction.[40]

Politics[edit]

In February 2016, Jones endorsed Donald Trump for the 2016 United States presidential election.[41] That same week, she attended a rally for Trump held in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she asked for a selfie with him.[42]

In October 2016, Jones joined Trump for a press conference before the second 2016 Presidential Debate to air grievances against Hillary and Bill Clinton. The conference also included Juanita Broaddrick and Kathleen Willey, who had also accused Bill Clinton of sexual misconduct.[43][44]

In popular culture[edit]

Jones was portrayed by Annaleigh Ashford in the third season of the series American Crime Story.[45]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Washingtonpost.com: Jones v. Clinton Special Report". www.washingtonpost.com. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
  2. ^ "Text of Jones's Appeal". The Washington Post. July 31, 1998. Archived from the original on November 20, 2017. Retrieved August 25, 2010.
  3. ^ "Appeals court ponders Paula Jones settlement". CNN. November 18, 1998. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  4. ^ a b c d e f Baker, Peter (November 14, 1998). "Clinton Settles Paula Jones Lawsuit for $850,000". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2011.
  5. ^ Diaz, Daniella; Zeleny, Jeff (October 10, 2016). "Trump appears with Bill Clinton accusers before debate". CNN. Archived from the original on October 10, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2018.
  6. ^ Shalby, Colleen (October 24, 2016). "A look at the sexual misconduct allegations against Donald Trump and Bill Clinton". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "Famous Nazarenes / Members of the Church of the Nazarene". Archived from the original on March 16, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  8. ^ "Clinton Accuser Shuns Spotlight : Courts: Long Beach neighborhood is abuzz over sightings of Paula Jones, a former Arkansas state government worker who has taken the President to court, alleging sexual harassment". Los Angeles Times. May 20, 1994. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  9. ^ a b "Paula Jones's Credibility Gap". Newsweek. May 22, 1994. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  10. ^ a b "Mr Paula Jones". The Irish Times. March 7, 1998. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  11. ^ "Declaration of Paula Jones". The Washington Post. March 13, 1998. Archived from the original on September 11, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  12. ^ a b Clinton v. Jones, No. 95-1853 U.S. (May 27, 1997).
  13. ^ "Key Events in Paula Jones's Sexual Harassment Case Against President Clinton". Archived from the original on December 17, 2017. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  14. ^ "Top 8 Clinton Scandal Sites". Archived from the original on July 23, 2008. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  15. ^ a b c "Clinton v. Jones Timeline". The Washington Post. July 4, 1997. Archived from the original on September 12, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  16. ^ Plotz, David (September 21, 1997). "Susan Carpenter-McMillan—The Woman Who Ate Paula Jones". Slate. Archived from the original on May 11, 2011. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  17. ^ Goldberg, John C.P.; Sebok, Anthony J.; Zipursky, Benjamin C. (2012). "10: Infliction of Emotional Distress". Tort Law: Responsibilities and Redress. New York City: Wolters Kluwer. pp. 700–703. ISBN 978-1-4548-0688-2.
  18. ^ Baker, Peter (July 4, 1997). "Clinton 'Adamantly' Denies Jones's Accusations". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  19. ^ "Jones v. Clinton: Second Letter From Cammarata and Davis". Court TV. July 4, 1997. Archived from the original on September 5, 2004. Retrieved January 19, 2009.
  20. ^ Toobin, Jeffrey (October 26, 1997). "Casting Stones". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on October 9, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  21. ^ a b "Clinton Welcomes Jones Decision; Appeal Likely". CNN. April 2, 1998. Archived from the original on October 13, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  22. ^ Clines, Frances X. (April 2, 1998). "Paula Jones Case is Dismissed; Judge Says Even if Tale is True, Incident Was Not Harassment". New York Times. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  23. ^ "Paula Jones to Get $200,000 of Settlement". San Francisco Chronicle. The Baltimore Sun. March 5, 1999. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  24. ^ Givhan, Robin (January 16, 1998). "Paula Jones's About-Face". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 4, 2012. Retrieved April 11, 2012.
  25. ^ "Paula Jones's New Nose". Time. Archived from the original on September 6, 2008.
  26. ^ Franken, Bob (April 12, 1999). "Clinton Found in Civil Contempt for Jones Testimony". CNN. Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  27. ^ Andrew A. Green. "Clinton Cited for Contempt". Archived from the original on November 11, 1999. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  28. ^ a b "Clinton must Pay $90,000 to Paula Jones' Lawyers". Free Online Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2018. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  29. ^ "Transcript - Independent Counsel Robert Ray Holds News Conference on Deal Struck with President Clinton in Whitewater Probe". CNN. January 19, 2001. Archived from the original on March 7, 2021. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  30. ^ Neal v. Clinton, Civ. No. 2000-5677, Agreed Order of Discipline (Ark. Cir. Ct. 2001) ("Mr. Clinton admits and acknowledges ... that his discovery responses interfered with the conduct of the Jones case by causing the court and counsel for the parties to expend unnecessary time, effort, and resources...").
  31. ^ James Barron (November 30, 1994). "Magazine Barred from Using Nude Photos of Clinton's Accuser". The New York Times Magazine. Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  32. ^ "The First Amendment Handbook Seventh Edition". The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. Archived from the original on October 11, 2016. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  33. ^ William C. Mann (October 24, 2000). "Paula Jones Defends Penthouse Shots". The Washington Post. Associated Press. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016.
  34. ^ "Larry King Live: Paula Jones Discusses Why She's Posing for 'Penthouse'". CNN. October 24, 2000. Archived from the original on February 25, 2007. Retrieved October 10, 2016.
  35. ^ "Sources: Clinton Admits Sexual Affair with Flowers - 01-22-98". CNN. Archived from the original on January 8, 2022. Retrieved September 30, 2021.
  36. ^ "President Clinton's Deposition in the Paula Jones Case". australianpolitics.com. January 17, 1998. Archived from the original on October 26, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  37. ^ King, John (March 5, 1998). "New Details Of Clinton's Jones Deposition Leaked". CNN. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  38. ^ Kangas, Steve. "Perjury About Sexual Relations from the Paula Jones Deposition". Liberalism Resurgent. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  39. ^ Starr, Kenneth (September 9, 1998). "Independent Counsel Kenneth's Starr report to the House of Representatives". MSNBC. Archived from the original on October 21, 2007. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
  40. ^ 145 Cong. Rec. (1999) 2376–77. Archived September 27, 2019, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved December 20, 2019.
  41. ^ Kurtz, Judy (February 3, 2016). "Paula Jones: I like Trump". The Hill blogs. Archived from the original on October 23, 2017. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  42. ^ Moritz, John (February 5, 2016). "Clinton accuser Paula Jones attends Little Rock Trump rally". Arkansas Online. Archived from the original on May 6, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  43. ^ Stack, Liam (October 9, 2016). "Donald Trump Featured Paula Jones and 2 Other Women Who Accused Bill Clinton of Sexual Assault". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 22, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  44. ^ Zeleny, Jeff (October 10, 2016). "Trump appears with Bill Clinton accusers before debate". CNN. Archived from the original on February 10, 2018. Retrieved October 11, 2016.
  45. ^ Mauch, Ally (September 14, 2021). "Paula Jones Slams Her Portrayal in Impeachment as 'Inaccurate' and 'Almost Cartoonish'". People. Archived from the original on September 29, 2022. Retrieved September 29, 2022.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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