|
|
 |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Judge throws out three of 12 embezzlement charges against McDougalWASHINGTON (AllPolitics, November 12) -- The judge overseeing the embezzlement trial of Whitewater figure Susan McDougal threw out three of the 12 charges Thursday and said the prosecution had failed to prove McDougal could have embezzled any more than $50,000. McDougal has been accused of stealing $150,000 from conductor Zubin Mehta and his wife, Nancy while she was their bookkeeper and assistant from 1989 to 1992.
In a hearing outside the jury's presence, Superior Court Judge Leslie Light said it was "certainly possible" that McDougal embezzled the full sum but that had not been proven beyond a reasonable doubt. By reducing the amount alleged in the main grand theft charge, Light reduced McDougal's potential sentence by three years. The judge also dismissed three counts: two of making a false financial statement and one of using a forged or revoked bank card. The prosecution presented no evidence that McDougal represented herself as anyone but herself when she applied for a Bank of America MasterCard in her name and that of Mrs. Mehta or that the card had been forged, expired or revoked when used by McDougal, the judge said. "The penal code is not designed to take a felony and make as many charges as possible out of it," Light said. Both the prosecution and defense rested Tuesday in the embezzlement trial of McDougal. The charges of embezzlement are not in any way connected to those in the federal investigation of the Whitewater land deal in Arkansas that has involved Bill and Hillary Clinton, McDougal and her late husband, James McDougal. McDougal still faces trial in federal court in Arkansas on obstruction of justice and contempt counts stemming from her refusal last spring to answer questions in front of Independent Counsel Ken Starr's Little Rock grand jury investigating the Clintons. The Associated Press contributed to this report. |
|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
MORE STORIES:Thursday, November 12, 1998
• Judge throws out three of 12 embezzlement charges against McDougal • Literary agent Goldberg testifies before Tripp grand jury • Secret Service director to resign to run security for Cleveland Browns • Gore questioned on campaign finances • Court weighing Jones' appeal looking for evidence of possible perjury by Clinton • Study finds 'logistical hurdles' in privatizing Social Security • Gephardt weighs presidential bid; some Democrats say aim for speaker • Aide: Espy worried brother's debts would tarnish family name • Ousted Republican regrets 'Twinkle, twinkle, Kenneth Starr' • Al Gore courts new Iowa governor • Lewinsky weighs interview offers | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
