Susan McDougal Trial Set For February

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AllPolitics, Dec. 12) -- A judge said today that Whitewater figure Susan McDougal will go to trial Feb. 23, 1998, on embezzlement charges.

During a brief hearing this morning, California Judge Steven Suzukawa also set a pre-trial hearing for January 15. Lawyers on both sides told the court they were confident they would be ready for trial by February.

McDougal is charged with stealing about $150,000 from symphony conductor Zubin Mehta.

Deputy District Attorney Jeffery Semow declined to comment about the case. "It's too close to trial to comment on the evidence," Semow said.

McDougal attorney Mark Geragos said he was confident the embezzlement charges would be dropped and that McDougal will be released from jail soon.

McDougal has been in jail since September 1996 on contempt charges stemming from her refusal to answer questions in the Whitewater investigation.

Geragos said the federal contempt of court order would expire before the trial and he was hopeful the judge in Arkansas who cited McDougal for contempt would free her before Christmas.

In Other News:

Friday Dec. 12, 1997

• Clinton Plans Recess Appointment Of Lee
• Lawrence Never A Merchant Marine
• Susan McDougal Trial Set For February
• DNC To Resist House Subpoenas