Appeals Court awaiting Jones settlement documents; opposition brief received

By Terry Frieden/CNN

WASHINGTON (November 17) -- The appeals court which must formally approve the proposed settlement of the Paula Jones sexual harassment suit was still waiting for documents from attorneys in the case late Tuesday.

Officials of the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis did, however, receive a brief Tuesday from the conservative group Judicial Watch, which is opposing the settlement.

The organization is not a party to the case, but filed a motion asking the three-judge panel to accept and consider its written arguments before ruling on dismissal of Jones' appeal. The Judicial Watch request was not immediately acted upon.

A spokesman for Judicial Watch says the brief seeks to declare the settlement void, claiming President Bill Clinton's proposed payment from his legal defense fund violates federal statutes which prohibit Clinton from supplementing his income from outside sources.

Court sources say barring a major surprise, the panel is likely to follow standard practice and dismiss the case within days of receiving the request by attorneys for Clinton, Jones and Arkansas State Trooper Danny Ferguson.

The proposed settlement calls for Jones to receive $850,000 from the president within 60 days. She receives no apology or admission of wrongdoing.

How much of the settlement Jones will be able to keep is uncertain because of competing demands for legal fees from former and current Jones attorneys.

Tuesday, November 17, 1998

• McDougal embezzlement case should go to jury Wednesday
• House panel releases Tripp audio tapes
• GOP set to pick its leadership team
• Appeals Court awaiting Jones settlement documents; opposition brief received
• Poll: Americans want a more moderate GOP agenda
• Republicans may expand impeachment probe
• Gore's father ill but doing better
• RFK Jr. won't run for New York Senate seat
• Task force approves western presidential primaries
• Analysis: Campaign finance overhaulers to try again
• Group complains about Clinton's pre-election church visit
• Starr probe may prove death knell to Independent Counsel Act

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