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 For Immediate Release
Nov 11, 1999 Contact: Press Office
202-646-5172


CLINTON ASSERTS PRESIDENTIAL IMMUNITY FROM CIVIL SUITS - SAYS UNANIMOUS SUPREME COURT JONES RULING IS WRONG

Clinton Seeking to Delay Lawsuit on Alleged Illegal Mortgage Deal Until After He Leaves Office

Asks Federal Court Judge to Ignore Supreme Court Precedent

(Washington, D.C.) Responding to a lawsuit brought by shareholders of his mortgage banks against him, his wife, PNC Bank Corp., and others over their mortgage dealings, Bill Clinton asserted that the Supreme Court was wrong in its famous Jones opinion which stated unanimously that, like every other American, a sitting President is subject to civil lawsuits. Judicial Watch, the non-partisan public interest law firm, is representing the shareholders in this lawsuit. Bill Clinton's brief was delivered by hand to Judicial Watch yesterday evening.

Bill Clinton said that the lawsuit over his personal mortgage deal "pose(s) a serious threat to the President's ability to perform his constitutional duties." Clinton also complained in his brief, filed on his behalf by David Kendall, of the "burden" imposed on him by the Jones litigation and that, therefore, the Supreme Court should reconsider its ruling.

Judicial Watch notes that Clinton did not mention in his brief anything about the "burdens" imposed on the executive branch, the Congress, the judiciary, and American people by his perjury and obstruction of justice in the Jones matter, as well as the other 38 scandals he and Mrs. Clinton have caused.

"This is a frivolous legal claim by Bill Clinton," stated Judicial Watch Chairman and General Counsel Larry Klayman.

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