Webster Hubbell
Encyclopedia
Webster Lee "Web" Hubbell (born 1949), is a former Arkansas
lawyer
and politician
. He was a lawyer in Pulaski County before serving as Mayor
of Little Rock from 1979 until he resigned in 1981. He was appointed by Bill Clinton
as chief justice of Arkansas State Supreme Court in 1983. When Clinton became President
, Hubbell was appointed as Associate Attorney General
, which is the third most powerful person in the Justice Department
. His wife is Suzanna "Suzy" Hubbell (nee' Ward).
In December 1994, Hubbell pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion
charges in connection with his handling of billing at the Rose Law Firm
, a firm with partners that once included Hillary Clinton and Vince Foster
. Hubbell admitted he had defrauded former clients and former partners out of $482,410.83. On June 28, 1995, Judge George Howard sentenced Hubbell to 21 months' imprisonment.
, Hubbell was one of the Clinton Administration transition's senior officials responsible for vetting
appointments to the Cabinet
and other top positions, including George Stephanopoulos
.
After Clinton's inauguration
, Hubbell became White House liaison to the United States Department of Justice
, arriving at Justice on January 24, 1993. During the period before Janet Reno
was confirmed as Attorney General
, Hubbell worked out of the Attorney General's offices but reported to Bush appointee Acting Attorney General Stewart Garson. Clinton floated Hubbell's name for the Associate Attorney General job on January 30, 1993, after Zoë Baird
had withdrawn her nomination to be Attorney General but before Clinton nominated Janet Reno. Hubbell was formally nominated on April 2, 1993. After his nomination, Hubbell was attacked for his membership in the Country Club of Little Rock, a golf club that critics said did not admit blacks. Hubbell resigned his club membership on the day of his Senate confirmation hearing.
discovered what appeared to be irregularities in Hubbell's bills to clients. The Independent Counsel later found that Hubbell had billed clients for services he never performed, and that he failed to report that income on his tax returns. Shortly after Independent Counsel Robert Fiske
opened a criminal probe into the matter, Hubbell resigned as associate attorney general on March 14, 1994.
The day before Hubbell announced his resignation, there was a meeting of senior White House officials, including President Bill Clinton
, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and Chief of Staff Mack McLarty
. At the meeting, McLarty told Hillary Clinton that White House employees would "be supportive" of Hubbell. This meeting garnered suspicions that, as a New York Times editorial put it, there had been "a possible effort to obstruct justice by securing Mr. Hubbell's silence on crucial elements of the Whitewater case." During the sixteen months after Hubbell's resignation, he received seventeen consulting contracts totaling over $450,000 from supporters of President Clinton. While the Independent Counsel, found that Hubbell "did little or no work for the money paid by his consulting clients," he determined there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the money was intended to influence Hubbell's cooperation with investigators in the Whitewater
investigation.
in exchange for his cooperation in the Whitewater investigation. He entered Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland
in August 1995, and was released from a half-way house in February 1997. Hubbell exercised daily and dropped nearly 100 pounds while he was in prison.
On April 30, 1998, Hubbell and his wife were indicted on 10 counts of conspiracy
, tax evasion
and mail fraud. District Judge James Robertson threw out the charges on July 1, 1998, ruling that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr
had overstepped his authority in bringing forth the Hubbell indictment. Robertson also ruled that Starr had violated Hubbell's Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination by building a case that relied on materials collected under an immunity agreement with Hubbell.
The prosecutor appealed to the Court of Appeals and the District Court was reversed. Hubbell then appealed to the United States Supreme Court. In an 8-1 decision (with Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist being the lone dissenter), the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hubbell. See United States v. Hubbell
, 530 U.S. 27 (2000).
On November 14, 1998, Hubbell was indicted by Kenneth Starr for a third time, this time for fraud and lying to the House Banking Committee and federal banking regulators.
On June 30, 1999, Hubbell entered into a new plea agreement with Starr, resolving the second and third indictments. Hubbell pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to one year's probation.
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...
lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
. He was a lawyer in Pulaski County before serving as Mayor
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of Little Rock from 1979 until he resigned in 1981. He was appointed by 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...
as chief justice of Arkansas State Supreme Court in 1983. When Clinton became President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Hubbell was appointed as Associate Attorney General
United States Associate Attorney General
The Associate Attorney General is the third-ranking official in the United States Department of Justice. The Associate Attorney General advises and assists the Attorney General and the Deputy Attorney General in policies relating to civil justice, federal and local law enforcement, and public...
, which is the third most powerful person in the Justice Department
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
. His wife is Suzanna "Suzy" Hubbell (nee' Ward).
In December 1994, Hubbell pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
charges in connection with his handling of billing at the Rose Law Firm
Rose Law Firm
Rose Law Firm is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the oldest law firm in the United States west of the Mississippi River and the third oldest in the United States....
, a firm with partners that once included Hillary Clinton and Vince Foster
Vince Foster
Vincent Walker Foster, Jr. was a Deputy White House Counsel during the first few months of President Bill Clinton's administration, and also a law partner and friend of Hillary Rodham Clinton...
. Hubbell admitted he had defrauded former clients and former partners out of $482,410.83. On June 28, 1995, Judge George Howard sentenced Hubbell to 21 months' imprisonment.
Federal Government career
After the 1992 electionUnited States presidential election, 1992
The United States presidential election of 1992 had three major candidates: Incumbent Republican President George Bush; Democratic Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton, and independent Texas businessman Ross Perot....
, Hubbell was one of the Clinton Administration transition's senior officials responsible for vetting
Vetting
Vetting is a process of examination and evaluation, generally referring to performing a background check on someone before offering him or her employment, conferring an award, etc...
appointments to the Cabinet
United States Cabinet
The Cabinet of the United States is composed of the most senior appointed officers of the executive branch of the federal government of the United States, which are generally the heads of the federal executive departments...
and other top positions, including George Stephanopoulos
George Stephanopoulos
George Robert Stephanopoulos is an American television journalist and a former political advisor.Stephanopoulos is most well known as the chief political correspondent for ABC News – the news division of the broadcast television network ABC – and a co-anchor of ABC News's morning news...
.
After Clinton's inauguration
Inauguration
An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....
, Hubbell became White House liaison to the United States Department of Justice
United States Department of Justice
The United States Department of Justice , is the United States federal executive department responsible for the enforcement of the law and administration of justice, equivalent to the justice or interior ministries of other countries.The Department is led by the Attorney General, who is nominated...
, arriving at Justice on January 24, 1993. During the period before Janet Reno
Janet Reno
Janet Wood Reno is a former Attorney General of the United States . She was nominated by President Bill Clinton on February 11, 1993, and confirmed on March 11...
was confirmed as Attorney General
United States Attorney General
The United States Attorney General is the head of the United States Department of Justice concerned with legal affairs and is the chief law enforcement officer of the United States government. The attorney general is considered to be the chief lawyer of the U.S. government...
, Hubbell worked out of the Attorney General's offices but reported to Bush appointee Acting Attorney General Stewart Garson. Clinton floated Hubbell's name for the Associate Attorney General job on January 30, 1993, after Zoë Baird
Zoë Baird
Zoë Eliot Baird is an American lawyer who is president of the Markle Foundation. She is most known for her role in the Nannygate matter of 1993.-Biography:...
had withdrawn her nomination to be Attorney General but before Clinton nominated Janet Reno. Hubbell was formally nominated on April 2, 1993. After his nomination, Hubbell was attacked for his membership in the Country Club of Little Rock, a golf club that critics said did not admit blacks. Hubbell resigned his club membership on the day of his Senate confirmation hearing.
Resignation
In January 1993, Hubbell's former partners at the Rose Law FirmRose Law Firm
Rose Law Firm is headquartered in Little Rock, Arkansas. It is the oldest law firm in the United States west of the Mississippi River and the third oldest in the United States....
discovered what appeared to be irregularities in Hubbell's bills to clients. The Independent Counsel later found that Hubbell had billed clients for services he never performed, and that he failed to report that income on his tax returns. Shortly after Independent Counsel Robert Fiske
Robert B. Fiske
Robert Bishop Fiske, Jr. is a prominent trial attorney and a partner with the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell in New York City...
opened a criminal probe into the matter, Hubbell resigned as associate attorney general on March 14, 1994.
The day before Hubbell announced his resignation, there was a meeting of senior White House officials, including President 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...
, First Lady Hillary Clinton, and Chief of Staff Mack McLarty
Mack McLarty
Thomas F. "Mack" McLarty III is a prominent Arkansas business and political leader and former White House Chief of Staff for US President Bill Clinton...
. At the meeting, McLarty told Hillary Clinton that White House employees would "be supportive" of Hubbell. This meeting garnered suspicions that, as a New York Times editorial put it, there had been "a possible effort to obstruct justice by securing Mr. Hubbell's silence on crucial elements of the Whitewater case." During the sixteen months after Hubbell's resignation, he received seventeen consulting contracts totaling over $450,000 from supporters of President Clinton. While the Independent Counsel, found that Hubbell "did little or no work for the money paid by his consulting clients," he determined there was insufficient evidence to conclude that the money was intended to influence Hubbell's cooperation with investigators in the Whitewater
Whitewater (controversy)
The Whitewater controversy was an American politics controversy that began with the real estate investments of Bill and Hillary Clinton and their associates, Jim and Susan McDougal in the Whitewater Development Corporation, a failed business venture in the 1970s and 1980s.A New York...
investigation.
Criminal charges and associated litigation
On June 28, 1995, Judge George Howard sentenced Hubbell to 21 months' imprisonment. Hubbell had pled guilty. As part of his guilty plea, Hubbell entered an immunity agreement with independent counsel Kenneth StarrKenneth Starr
Kenneth Winston "Ken" Starr is an American lawyer and educational administrator who has also been a federal judge. He is best known for his investigation of figures during the Clinton administration....
in exchange for his cooperation in the Whitewater investigation. He entered Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland
Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland
Federal Correctional Institution, Cumberland in Cumberland, Maryland is a federal prison that houses medium security male offenders. The FCI has an adjacent minimum security satellite camp that houses male offenders....
in August 1995, and was released from a half-way house in February 1997. Hubbell exercised daily and dropped nearly 100 pounds while he was in prison.
On April 30, 1998, Hubbell and his wife were indicted on 10 counts 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...
, tax evasion
Tax evasion
Tax evasion is the general term for efforts by individuals, corporations, trusts and other entities to evade taxes by illegal means. Tax evasion usually entails taxpayers deliberately misrepresenting or concealing the true state of their affairs to the tax authorities to reduce their tax liability,...
and mail fraud. District Judge James Robertson threw out the charges on July 1, 1998, ruling that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Starr
Kenneth Winston "Ken" Starr is an American lawyer and educational administrator who has also been a federal judge. He is best known for his investigation of figures during the Clinton administration....
had overstepped his authority in bringing forth the Hubbell indictment. Robertson also ruled that Starr had violated Hubbell's Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination by building a case that relied on materials collected under an immunity agreement with Hubbell.
The prosecutor appealed to the Court of Appeals and the District Court was reversed. Hubbell then appealed to the United States Supreme Court. In an 8-1 decision (with Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist being the lone dissenter), the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Hubbell. See United States v. Hubbell
United States v. Hubbell
United States v. Hubbell, 530 U.S. 27 , was United States Supreme Court case involving Webster Hubbell, who had been indicted on various tax-related charges, and mail and wire fraud charges, based on documents that the government had subpoenaed from him...
, 530 U.S. 27 (2000).
On November 14, 1998, Hubbell was indicted by Kenneth Starr for a third time, this time for fraud and lying to the House Banking Committee and federal banking regulators.
On June 30, 1999, Hubbell entered into a new plea agreement with Starr, resolving the second and third indictments. Hubbell pleaded guilty to two charges and was sentenced to one year's probation.