ATLANTA/LITTLE ROCK/WASHINGTON, DC -- Two (2) formal complaints issued by the Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct against President Clinton last month will this week "move to the committee for consideration in light of Clinton's apparent failure to respond," according to SLF President Matthew J. Glavin.

"The nation watches as the President has apparently failed to defend himself by responding to the Committee's formal legal ethics complaints," said Glavin. "This week, the ball moves back to the Committee's court to consider penalties against attorney Clinton for lying under oath, obstructing justice, and failing to respond to the Committee's formal complaints -- three separate and important charges. If he has responded, the Committee must move forward in any case."

Eighteen months ago, the Southeastern Legal Foundation filed a complaint with the Arkansas Committee, alleging lying under oath and obstruction of justice, among other claims, based on Clinton's conduct in matters related to the Paula Jones lawsuit and his conduct thereafter before the Independent Counsel and the American people. In April 1999, Chief U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright forwarded her contempt citation against Clinton to the Committee, detailing her findings of lying under oath and obstruction of justice in the Paula Jones lawsuit.

In January 2000, the Arkansas Supreme Court issued a writ of mandamus compelling the Committee to take action in these complaints. The Committee responded by issuing formal complaints against the President in February. This week, the 30-day clock for responding to the complaints will have lapsed, leaving open the question as to whether President Clinton will simply surrender his law license or face the penalty phase of the Committee's deliberation.

The Arkansas Committee has authority to grant a 30-day extension in some cases, although attorneys with Southeastern Legal Foundation said that granting such an extension is unwarranted in this case. But last month, Mr. Clinton may have given a hint he intends to fight to keep his law license. As reported in yesterday's Baltimore Sun, Mr. Clinton paid his $100 annual license fee before the March 1st deadline.

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