Anti-Hillary Movie Derailed by Madam Scandal?
A lawyer for an indicted D.C. madam is trying to drag conservative TV commentator Dick Morris into a juicy case that may involve thousands of former "clients," including some potentially prominent names. Morris, of course, is the one-time Clinton campaign advisor (until his toe-sucking sessions with a professional call girl were revealed).
Though Morris had admitted publicly that he hired prostitutes from more than one agency, it's unclear whether he has any connection to Pamela Martin and Associates, the call-girl agency run by Deborah Jeane Palfrey, who is charged with federal racketeering and money laundering.
But that hasn't stopped the lawyer for the alleged madam from serving a subpoena on Morris -- at the wrong place of business, in a move that had all the markings of a publicity stunt -- to give a deposition on information, if any, he may have about the call-girl service.
Before we get to where and why Morris was subpoenaed, here's what we're wondering: Does all this unpleasantness with prostitutes and what-not threaten to derail the anti-Hillary documentary Morris is producing with conservative hit-man David Bossie?
Apparently not, at least for now. Bossie, head of the conservative group Citizens United, had no comment on the call-girl controversy touching his close friend Morris. But on his Web site, he calls Morris "a man of character." Morris, who though he used to work for President Clinton is now actively attacking the ex-president and his wife, did not respond to email requests for comment. We also hear he's out of the country.
A source with knowledge of the planned documentary said the project is "still going along full speed" and that the producers are "looking forward to a theatrical release toward the end of the year."
The source indicated the documentary will be your run-of-the-mill conservative smear against Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). " A la Michael Moore: enlightening yet entertaining," the source said, adding that you can expect to see last weekend's oft-lampooned speech by Sen. Clinton from the pulpit of an African-American church in Alabama in which she spoke with a Southern drawl.
Back to Morris, it's really unclear whether he even received the subpoena, which was sent by Palfrey's attorney, Montgomery Blair Sibley. The subpoena was delivered by a process server to "Dick Morris c/o Bill O'Reilly" at Fox News in New York. According a copy of the affidavit of service, obtained by Yours Sleuthly, the subpoena was given to someone identified in the affidavit as a "co-worker" named "Stephanie Minovici." The affidavit says the "co-worker" was asked if Fox News was Morris's "actual place of business" and that the response was "affirmative."
A spokeswoman for Fox News, Irena Briganti, said Morris is not a "paid contributor" to Fox or an employee of the network. He is, however, listedhere as a "political analyst and regular contributor to FNC."
Meanwhile, Sibley, the madam's attorney who served (or attempted to serve) a subpoena on Morris, is still threatening to divulge her 10,000 client list "sooner rather than later." Asked why he chose to name Morris publicly, he said because Morris "has come out publicly."
By Mary Ann Akers |
March 6, 2007; 4:01 PM ET
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Posted by: Garak | March 6, 2007 8:17 PM
This was my first time reading, but I really enjoy The Sleuth. I like the tidbits angle and the writing is pithy, smooth and entertaining. I think that it is a perfect addition to the website and perhaps periodically to the actual paper.
I guess it is a part of the Post's efforts to deal with the puzzle that is the 'interweb.' Look to the NyTimes website for extremely interesting high quality original stories in multimedia, they have the resources and wherewithal to do it. Obviously the Post does not. I suppose they can't compete in that way or choose not to. This is a perfect example of the Post using its strengths, political reporting, to improve what they have to offer as a website and therefore gain more online readership, get more ad revenue and potentially survive this ever shifting media scene.
Sam Joel
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Posted by: Sam Joel | March 6, 2007 9:11 PM
Anyone who hires Morris to do anything more than empty the asylum chamber pots deserves what Morris serves up.
Posted by: mikeasr | March 6, 2007 10:28 PM
Morris is a simpleton but he gained famed serving a simple, and I mean simple as well as arrogant, thieving (White House furniture, probably silver) conniving, self idulgent, manipulative couple, Mr. and Mrs. Hillary clinton
Posted by: John | March 8, 2007 10:44 AM
Right on Garak! John, enjoy the conservative cool-aid you're drinking. You're going to need it in Nov. '08.
Posted by: danwatson | March 8, 2007 4:25 PM
Dick Morris shows visceral hatred for Hillary and his columns show it amply. Obviously the manner in which he was turfed out of the Clinton camp rankles real bad. That he is no angel of virtue is demonstrated by his own admission of romping with prostitutes. The Palfrey subpoena only reinforces his "character". His rantings against Hillary have lost credibility. Morris should latch on to Obama and offer him to "expose" Hillary's weaknesses for Obama to exploit!!
Posted by: Espi | March 9, 2007 4:07 AM
I really think people go to great lengths to smear Senator Clinton. This column goes to ridiculous extremes to characterize someone who has done or at least tried to do so much for her country.
This documentary sounds like a personal dispute is going to become a ways and means to get even.
Ruth Beazer
Posted by: Ruth Beazer | March 9, 2007 1:38 PM
I think I agree with John that Morris is a simpleton who gained fame serving simple well-known, arrogant, thieving (White House coyotes) who are equally conniving, self indulgent and manipulative.
The only thing I need to add is that this dude is terribly opinionated and has an acute deficit for moral probiety!
As for Hillary and the fake drawl, let me posit that politicians have a weakness with crude theatrical persuasion techniques when talking gibberish and Hillary is no exception.
As an individual, she has a right to use whatever resources within her reach when handling different segments of audiences and a fake drawl of just one of them.
Give her a break, please!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 10, 2007 4:30 AM
I think I agree with John that Morris is a simpleton who gained fame serving simple well-known, arrogant, thieving (White House coyotes) who are equally conniving, self indulgent and manipulative.
The only thing I need to add is that this dude is terribly opinionated and has an acute deficit for moral probiety!
As for Hillary and the fake drawl, let me posit that politicians have a weakness with crude theatrical persuasion techniques when talking gibberish and Hillary is no exception.
As an individual, she has a right to use whatever resources within her reach when handling different segments of audiences and a fake drawl of just one of them.
Give her a break, please!
Posted by: Herbert-Jean Awuor | March 10, 2007 4:32 AM
When a conservative does an anti-Democrat/liberal piece, it's "smear". When the secular media does a piece on a conservative it's a "documentary" or a "news story". You liberals are such hypocrites-- you can't stand the truth when it shows the real you.
Posted by: dla | March 10, 2007 11:16 AM
Oh my, how the prejudices show... (read: "attack" from the author). How can anyone who listens/reads or otherwises considers Morris's opinions as being from a "simpleton".
One only calls someone else's sugar(-coated) and completely artificial flavored drink "Kool-Aid" and their own as, probably, elixir.
Somehow critical thinking has been thrown aside.
It seems for sure that Morris is focused on "outing" Hillary Clinton and he makes valid points that are categorically dismissed.
Just imagine the mainstream press going after any misdeeds of the Clintons with the same vitriol as they do with our current President.
Simply(ton) put - Where oh where has my little dog gone?
Posted by: Tai | March 10, 2007 12:57 PM
I'm so happy to learn that Dick Morris works for Fox News.I rarely believe anything I hear on that newscast (I try not to watch very often), now I never will. The attacks on Hillary Clinton remind me of the vicious attacks on women in 1970s who were asking for equal pay, political power and a place at the table where decisions are made. Defeating Hillary is the patriarchy's last stand. They can't win.
Posted by: Marychrisv | March 10, 2007 1:49 PM
Re: Hillary's southern accent. I was reared by a Texas lady with parents from Georgia. I had a distinct Southern accent as a young woman and worked diligently and successfully to lose it. However, back home in Dixie-land for a few days visit and the accent is back again! Perhaps Hillary has the same problem.
Posted by: Helen | March 11, 2007 11:27 AM
Ms. Akers, if you wish to have your column stay in my bookmark folder, please do a little fact checking.
The Hillary and the "southern drawl" thing is a fallacy; watch the clip. She doesn't use an "accent," until she recites a written work, of southern background. She adds a little flavor to the quotation, but she doesn't speak in an accent the entire time.
THIS is why people hate Hillary Clinton...it's GARBAGE.
Posted by: JoshDestardi | March 20, 2007 4:05 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
I am certain Mssrs. Bossie and Morris will not let something as minor as criminal charges interfere with their roles as leading intellectuals of the conservative movement. Undoubtedly, Sinclair Broadcasting will carry it as a public service, and the Rev. Dobson will make sure every child in America sees it and knows how Hillary is the Anti-Christ. Perhaps the film will interview leading conservative intellectuals such as Ann Coulter, Michael Savage, and Michel Malkin to explain why we need to focus on Vincent Foster and how liberal partisans like Ken Starr are still covering up his death.