THIS FAR AND NO FURTHER
A Timeline of Events Surrounding the Radical Right's Attempt to Subvert American Democracy
Written and Compiled by Black Max
1998
April
- April: Republican congressman Dick Armey appears on Geraldo Rivera's TV show and denounces Clinton as "shameless," saying that if he had committed adultery while in public office, "I would resign." Rivera and investigative reporter Miriam Rozen find three women that claim Armey sexually harassed them during the 1970s, while he taught economics at North Texas State University. One of the three women, who would only be identified as "Anna," says that Armey was so offensive towards her that she decided to leave the university; another professor persuaded her to stay and complete her master's thesis, offering to replace Armey with himself as her thesis advisor. A fellow professor, Bullock Hyder, says Armey had a reputation for "bird-dogging" the female students. Armey will later win notoriety for slandering fellow representative Barney Frank, who is openly gay, as "Barney Fag." (Hilton and Testa)
Paula Jones lawsuit against Clinton fizzles; judge rebukes "perjury trap"
- April 1: The judge dismisses the Paula Jones lawsuit against President Clinton, saying there is no evidence to support any of Jones's charges. It is later revealed that the entire case was a "perjury trap" designed to tempt Clinton into lying under oath. Such cases are considered entrapment and are not legally valid. (Clinton Impeachment Timeline)
- April 9: The IAEA reports that Iraq has finally provided all information on its clandestine nuclear program and, although 170 attempts to import questionable materials were discovered in the past 4 months, only two proved to be banned items. The IAEA believes Iraq has finally divulged all information concerning its nuclear abilities. (UN/IraqwatchElectric Venom)
- April 14: In proceedings dating back to February, Starr attempts to compel the testimony of Secret Service agents to his grand jury. Even former president Bush criticizes the attempt. Eventually, over two dozen Secret Service agents will be compelled to testify before Starr's grand jury. (Clinton Impeachment Timeline, H.R. Clinton)
- Mid-April: Susan McDougal is summoned to testify before the Whitewater grand jury again just before it closes down. Since it is not legal to have a witness repeatedly summoned to testify before a grand jury without cause, the OIC asks SM about "new evidence" they have -- a check supposedly written by McDougal for $5081 and with the words "Payoff Clinton" written in the memo space. McDougal finds the idea of her noting an illegal payoff on the face of the check absurd, and refuses to cooperate with the OIC's questioning. She is returned to Los Angeles to continue serving her term. (Note: McDougal points out that Monica Lewinsky later stood up for what was right when she refused to go along with the OIC's story that either Clinton or Vernon Jordan asked her to lie to the commission or obstructed justice. Lewinsky stuck to her story even under pressure from the OIC, which refused to grant her immunity for months and threatened her with prison.) (Susan McDougal)
- April 16: UNSCOM issues its semi-annual consolidated report stating that Iraq has never fulfilled the primary obligation to provide complete and verifiable declarations in any of the weapons areas specified by Resolution 687. (UN/Iraqwatch/Electric Venom)
- April 30: Clinton lashes out at Starr, accusing him of leading a "hard, well-financed, vigorous effort" to undermine his presidency. He refuses to comment on his relationship with Lewinsky. (Clinton Impeachment Timeline)
