Clinton, Jones Lawyers Maneuver Activities On Both Sides May Keep Case Out Of Court

One day after the Supreme Court ruled that Paula Corbin Jones can push forward her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton, lawyers for both sides began maneuvering in ways that, if successful, could stop the case from ever going to trial.

Robert S. Bennett, Clinton’s personal lawyer, indicated he would try to get Jones’s allegations dismissed, while Jones’s attorney, Gilbert K. Davis, signaled that his client was open to an out-of-court settlement.

Appearing on television news programs and talk shows, both sides also appeared intent on winning over public opinion in a case that has captured national attention ever since Jones filed her complaint three years ago.

Because the case is so politically sensitive, gaining public support could strengthen the bargaining position of either side in the event of a settlement.

In her suit, Jones alleges that Clinton exposed himself to her and sought sexual favors in a Little Rock hotel room when he was Arkansas governor and she was a state worker. She is seeking $700,000 in damages.

Bennett vigorously defended his client and insisted, as he has all along, that Jones’s alleged 1991 encounter with Clinton never took place.

“The president and I feel that some very nasty and malicious and false allegations have been made against him, and we look forward to our day in court … to show that they are malicious and baseless and primarily politically inspired,” Bennett said on CNN’s “Larry King Live” Tuesday night.

Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that Clinton has no constitutional right to avoid a civil lawsuit while he is in office.

Bennett, however, has acknowledged he was considering filing motions to get the case dismissed when it returns in upcoming weeks to U.S. District Court in Arkansas, where Jones filed her complaint.

Clinton, who has been in Europe since the Supreme Court ruling, told reporters Wednesday: “I have nothing to really to add to what (Bennett) said. I think I should continue to let him speak for me.”

Pressed on whether he would consider settling the suit, Clinton again referred to Bennett. “I want to do my job,” he said, “and his job is to deal with that.”

While Clinton was circumspect about a possible settlement, Jones’s lawyers made clear Wednesday that was an option they would gladly entertain. But they emphasized that Jones is seeking, Davis said, “some kind of admission … and something that could be interpreted as an apology.”