Stephen Smith (Whitewater)
Encyclopedia
Stephen Smith is a University of Arkansas
communications professor who was a top gubernatorial aide to Bill Clinton
in Arkansas
. Smith help run Governor Bill Clinton's early office and help him overcome his early defeat in his political career. Smith became part of Ken Starr's investigation; he remained loyal to the Clintons.
Smith gained national fame during the Whitewater scandal.He confessed to getting a phony loan from David Hale
's company, saying it was to go for a "disadvantaged" political consulting firm Smith operated in the 1980s. The $65,000 loan in fact was for an overdue bank loan Smith had with Jim Guy Tucker
. He pleaded guilty on June 8, 1995 to one misdemeanor
count of conspiracy
.
With just hours to go in his presidency, Bill Clinton issued a presidential pardon to Smith, one of 140 pardons he issued on his last day, and part of the Bill Clinton pardons controversy
reported Time
Feb. 18, 2001.
Smith is an internationally known First Amendment scholar and author of numerous books, including "The Star Chamber."
University of Arkansas
The University of Arkansas is a public, co-educational, land-grant, space-grant, research university. It is classified by the Carnegie Foundation as a research university with very high research activity. It is the flagship campus of the University of Arkansas System and is located in...
communications professor who was a top gubernatorial aide to Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
in Arkansas
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. Smith help run Governor Bill Clinton's early office and help him overcome his early defeat in his political career. Smith became part of Ken Starr's investigation; he remained loyal to the Clintons.
Smith gained national fame during the Whitewater scandal.He confessed to getting a phony loan from David Hale
David Hale (Whitewater)
David Hale is a former Arkansas municipal judge, a former Arkansas banker, and a self proclaimed Bill Clinton political supporter—though he never made substantial contributions to any of his campaigns. He alleged the charges that resulted in the Whitewater scandal trials. He worked with Jim...
's company, saying it was to go for a "disadvantaged" political consulting firm Smith operated in the 1980s. The $65,000 loan in fact was for an overdue bank loan Smith had with Jim Guy Tucker
Jim Guy Tucker
James "Jim" Guy Tucker, Jr. is an Arkansas political figure. He served as the 43rd Governor of Arkansas, the 11th Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas, Arkansas Attorney General, and U.S. Representative...
. He pleaded guilty on June 8, 1995 to one misdemeanor
Misdemeanor
A misdemeanor is a "lesser" criminal act in many common law legal systems. Misdemeanors are generally punished much less severely than felonies, but theoretically more so than administrative infractions and regulatory offences...
count of conspiracy
Conspiracy (crime)
In the criminal law, a conspiracy is an agreement between two or more persons to break the law at some time in the future, and, in some cases, with at least one overt act in furtherance of that agreement...
.
With just hours to go in his presidency, Bill Clinton issued a presidential pardon to Smith, one of 140 pardons he issued on his last day, and part of the Bill Clinton pardons controversy
Bill Clinton pardons controversy
President Bill Clinton was criticized for some of his pardons and acts of executive clemency. While most presidents grant pardons on several days throughout their terms, Clinton chose to make most of them on January 20, 2001. Collectively, the controversy surrounding these actions has sometimes...
reported Time
Time (magazine)
Time is an American news magazine. A European edition is published from London. Time Europe covers the Middle East, Africa and, since 2003, Latin America. An Asian edition is based in Hong Kong...
Feb. 18, 2001.
Smith is an internationally known First Amendment scholar and author of numerous books, including "The Star Chamber."