Death of American Virtue - Ken Gormley [483]
Judge Sentelle had circulated: David B. Sentelle to John D. Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 20 Nov. 1992, Butzner papers, box 1, folder 1992–1997, Candidates for Independent Counsel.
Sentelle also circulated: “Independent Counsel List,” undated, ibid.
“It was a huge looseleaf”: David B. Sentelle to author, 19 Dec. 2002.
As judges suggested: David B. Sentelle, testimony to Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Federal News Service, 14 Apr. 1999, 3.
“anyone who wished”: David B. Sentelle to author, 19 Dec. 2002.
this list included: David B. Sentelle to John D. Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 18 July 1994, Butzner Papers, In re: Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association (Whitewater): Appointment of Independent Counsel. Interestingly, the list also included Washington lawyers Plato Cacheris and Jacob Stein, who later represented Monica Lewinsky.
By July 20: David B. Sentelle to John D. Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 20 July 1994, Butzner papers. Besides Starr, this short list included Robert C. Bonner (former federal judge and U.S. attorney from central California); John M. Dowd (a prominent Washington, D.C., lawyer with experience in corruption and ethics cases); John Van De Kamp (former attorney general of California); and Warren B. Rudman (former U.S. senator and state attorney general from New Hampshire).
“Looking over”: John D. Butzner, Jr., to David B. Sentelle and Joseph T. Sneed, 25 July, 1994, Butzner papers, box 12, folder 1994–1999, In Re Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association (Whitewater), Candidates for Appointment of Independent Counsel in Whitewater Investigation.
First, he worried that Starr was: John D. Butzner, Jr., interview by author.
“He was opposed”: Viola “Pete” Butzner, interview by author.
Judge Sentelle transmitted: David B. Sentelle to John D Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 18 July 1994, Butzner papers. The attached list, which noted Ken Starr as a “maybe,” then included the footnote: “During preparation [of this memo], Judge Starr called to say ‘YES.’”
“I have arranged”: David B. Sentelle to John D. Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 29 July 1994, Butzner papers, box 12, folder 1994–1999.
railing against Fiske: Floyd G. Brown to John D. Butzner, Jr., 3 Aug. 1994, Butzner papers, box 11, folder 1994, In Re: Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association (Whitewater) Appointment of Independent Counsel.
“The report released”: ClintonWatch, Aug. 1994, Butzner papers, box 11, folder 1994.
Certainly, Sentelle was a fan: David B. Sentelle to author, 19 Dec. 2002.
A strong conservative: Joseph T. Sneed, interview by author.
“the importance and sensitivity of”: David B. Sentelle to author, 19 Dec. 2002.
They also inquired: David B. Sentelle, testimony to Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Federal News Service, 14 Apr. 1999, 10.
“We actually cross-examined”: Ibid.; Sixty Seventh Judicial Conference of the Fourth Circuit, “The Independent Counsel Process: Is It Broken and How Should It Be Fixed?” Wash. & Lee L. Rev. 54 (1997): 1515, 1539 (remarks of Judge Butzner).
He knew little about: Ken Starr, interview by author.
“Ken is so fair”: Alice Starr, interview by author.
“I will have it ready”: David B. Sentelle to John D. Butzner, Jr., and Joseph T. Sneed, 4 Aug. 1994, Butzner papers, box 11, folder 1994.
it was better for the special court: U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Special Division, In Re: Madison Guaranty Savings & Loan Association, Order Appointing Independent Counsel, 5 Aug. 1994, 4; Richard Whittle, “Judges Appoint New Whitewater Counsel,” Dallas Morning News, 6 Aug. 1994, A7.
This was not meant to be: David B. Sentelle to author, 19 Dec. 2002.
agreed to join the opinion: John D. Butzner, Jr., interview by author.
a reporter asked him: Michael J. Sniffen, “Ex–Bush Official Replaces Whitewater Investigator,” Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 6 Aug. 1994, A7.
“You know”: Bill Clinton,