Misplaced Pages

#759240

49-490: While the film was directed by Patrick Matrisciana, who has a production company called Jeremiah Films , the production was credited to Citizens for Honest Government, a project of a Westminster, California organization named Creative Ministries Inc. that has connections to Matrisciana. It was partially funded by Larry Nichols , a long-time Clinton opponent, and distributed with help from the Rev. Jerry Falwell , who also appears in

98-592: A cover-up of the murders. The police officers sued Matrisciana for defamation and won an award of $ 598,750. In 1999, the award was overturned after Matrisciana appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit . He won in appeals court; the three-judge panel saying: Campbell and Lane being public officials bear the burden of proving statements made by a defendant are false, and they failed to meet that standard. The judge said

147-422: A Biblical worldview "to decide whether to allow their children to participate in celebrations which glorify Pagan Occultism ". The company also produced and distributes the videos The Godmakers , The Secret World of Mormonism , Freemasonry: From Darkness to Light , Death By Entertainment , Sudan: The Hidden Holocaust , The Evolution Conspiracy , The Death of Vince Foster , and Hillary uncensored! Banned by

196-517: A different part of Hope. By several accounts, Foster and Clinton attended Miss Marie Purkins' School for Little Folks together, a private kindergarten, although Foster was a year ahead in school. Then, around late 1952, the Clintons moved away to Hot Springs . However, Clinton would often return to visit his grandparents in Hope during summers, weekends, and holidays and he maintained connections with

245-464: A formal mien ... elegant in perfectly tailored suits, and soft-spoken to the point of taciturnity." Writer Dan Moldea characterized him as "a 'can-do' lawyer who worked best when under pressure." Phillip Carroll, the leading litigator at Rose Law Firm, once said of Foster, "He was my ideal of a young lawyer." The ABA Journal reported that Foster was "acknowledged by many as the soul of the firm". He appeared to experience only success at Rose Law;

294-569: A lot of the right-wing talk show people ... and all the sleazy stuff they said. They didn't give a rip that he had killed himself or that his family was miserable or that they could break the hearts [of Foster's friends and family]. It was just another weapon to slug us with, to dehumanize us with." Foster's death also had an effect on Rose Law Firm, as many within the firm had expected Foster to become its leader once he returned from service in Washington. As one partner later said, "In meetings of

343-418: A number of cases. And as Bill Clinton's political career gained force, Foster supported him. They were also personal friends and Foster was the one who taught their daughter Chelsea Clinton how to swim. Foster practiced mostly corporate law , eventually earning nearly $ 300,000 a year. Known for his extensive preparation of cases ahead of time, including the creation of decision trees , Foster developed

392-743: A partner at Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas , where, as The Washington Post later wrote, he rose to "the pinnacle of the Arkansas legal establishment." At the White House, he was unhappy with work in politics and spiraled into depression , and in July 1993, he was found dead of a gunshot wound in Fort Marcy Park . Five official governmental investigations ruled his death a suicide, but several conspiracy theories emerged . Foster

441-620: A partner later said, "I never saw a professional setback. Never. Not even a tiny one." The firm grew five times its size during his time there. The Arkansas Bar Association gave him a number of awards and in June 1993 would name him as its Outstanding Lawyer of the Year. He was also listed in the Best Lawyers in America book. His wife Lisa described him as driven to prevail, staying up around

490-493: A public figure plaintiff must also prove malice and they did not. This article about an American film distributor or production company is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Vince Foster Vincent Walker Foster Jr. (January 15, 1945 – July 20, 1993) was an American attorney who served as deputy White House counsel during the first six months of the Clinton administration . Foster had been

539-465: A reputation as one of the best trial litigators in Arkansas. Hillary Rodham Clinton's memoir calls Foster "one of the best lawyers I've ever known," and compared him in style and substance to Gregory Peck 's portrayal of Atticus Finch in the classic 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird . In Bill Clinton's memoir, he characterizes Foster as "a tall, handsome, wise, good man." Writer Carl Bernstein has described Foster as "tall, with impeccable manners and

SECTION 10

#1732798441760

588-616: A second autopsy performed. She successfully had the original examiner's ruling overruled and the cause of death for Kevin Ives and Don Henry was changed from accidental to homicide. The movie connected these deaths to smuggling activities at the Mena Airport, suggesting the boys had become accidental witnesses to a drug drop. However, their bodies were found along train tracks in Alexander, Arkansas , approximately 120 miles (190 km) to

637-534: A week, and although thin to begin with, began losing weight. On May 8, 1993, Foster gave the commencement address at the University of Arkansas Law School, his alma mater, and said: The reputation you develop for intellectual and ethical integrity will be your greatest asset or your worst enemy. You will be judged by your judgment. ... Treat every pleading, every brief, every contract, every letter, every daily task as if your career will be judged on it ... There

686-728: Is a media production and distribution company. The organization was founded by Patrick Matrisciana in 1978. As of 2012 , they are based in Jacksonville Beach, Florida . Jeremiah Films produces videos that the group says "promote patriotism, traditional values, and the Biblical worldview of [the] founding fathers" of the United States. It has produced films that investigate subjects as varied as terrorism , paganism , evolution , Mormonism , Seventh-day Adventism , abortion , Halloween , Islam , Christianity , Cults ,

735-458: Is no credible evidence that any of the deaths is related or can be attributed to Bill Clinton". To promote the film, Falwell aired an interview with Matrisciana, who was silhouetted to conceal his identity as he pretended to be a journalist who was afraid for his life. Matrisciana later acknowledged that he was not in any danger, but that the interview was staged for dramatic effect at Falwell's suggestion. The New York Times interviewed some of

784-493: Is no victory, no advantage, no fee, no favor, which is worth even a blemish on your reputation for intellect and integrity. ... Dents to the reputation in the legal profession are irreparable. One faculty member listening to it recalled telling another that it was "the most depressing graduation speech I had ever heard, in both content and manner." A friend of Foster's has said, "Look, it's just crazy, right? You get one dent and it can never be fixed? In Washington, you get them all

833-484: Is thought by some to have ended the optimism and remaining innocence of the White House staff. White House chief of staff and childhood friend Mack McLarty said that "It was a deep cut. It clearly had a tremendous impact." Nussbaum speculated that if Foster had lived, he would have helped resist the calls to appoint independent counsels and the many investigations lumped under the Whitewater umbrella that occupied

882-496: Is titled Halloween: Trick or Treat , the first in a 13-part series titled The Pagan Invasion . Another noteworthy title is The God Makers film, released in 1982, along with its sequel The God Makers II released five years later. The company produces a variety of videos, including Baby Parts For Sale , an "investigation into the multimillion-dollar-a-year baby parts trafficking industry" and stem cell research; and Halloween: Trick or Treat? , which challenges parents with

931-764: The Arkansas National Guard during the height of the Vietnam War to avoid the military draft . To be closer to his guard responsibilities, he transferred to the University of Arkansas School of Law in Fayetteville, Arkansas , where he was managing editor of the law review . He received his Juris Doctor in 1971, graduating first in his class. He scored the highest in his class on the Arkansas bar exam . Foster met Elizabeth Braden, known as Lisa, during his sophomore year at Davidson; she

980-444: The Whitewater controversy were charged and sentenced, Starr declined to recommend charges for Clinton over Whitewater and cleared Clinton of involvement with Vince Foster 's death. Linda Ives continued to search for justice for her son's death. The film mentioned that her son's death was controversially ruled accidental by an examiner who had a history of questionable rulings. After the film aired, she had her son's body exhumed and

1029-467: The occult , Jim Jones , Jehovah's Witness , and the Clinton presidency and scandals surrounding Gennifer Flowers and the alleged murder of Vince Foster . In 1996, Jeremiah Films distributed a film titled The Clinton Chronicles , which contains a list of people who were linked to President Bill Clinton who either died mysteriously or who was murdered. One of the most recognizable films produced in conjunction with Chuck Smith and Caryl Matrisciana

SECTION 20

#1732798441760

1078-459: The Clintons trusted him." But Foster found this involvement in vetting appointments to be causing him depression and anxiety . In particular, he blamed himself for the failed Zoë Baird nomination; he had thought that Baird had been justified in following her lawyer's advice regarding the payment of taxes on household employees, but he had failed to anticipate the political backlash that led to it becoming known as " Nannygate " and that blemished

1127-561: The Media telling the Peter F Paul story and includes Gala Hollywood Farewell Salute to President Clinton . In 1996, Patrick Matrisciana, the founder of Jeremiah Films and an organization called Citizens for an Honest Government, produced a video called Obstruction of Justice: The Mena Connection . It claimed that two police officers with links to former Arkansas governor, Bill Clinton were implicated in drug trafficking , two murders, and

1176-477: The administration and Clinton for the rest of his presidency might not have happened. As it did happen, how Hillary Clinton's chief of staff, Maggie Williams , in particular handled Foster's files and documents immediately after his death became an issue of much investigation itself. Years later, Bill Clinton expressed his continued anger about the Foster rumors and theories, clenching a fist as he spoke: "I heard

1225-567: The clock to prepare for big cases, believing he would lose the case even though he rarely did; she later viewed this as an early sign of depressed behavior. By 1992, Vince Foster was, as The Washington Post later wrote, at "the pinnacle of the Arkansas legal establishment." He was also an established figure in Little Rock society, serving as the chair of the board of the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and belonging to

1274-478: The early days of the administration. The equally unsuccessful Kimba Wood and Lani Guinier appointments were also under Foster's purview. He had to resign from the Country Club of Little Rock once its all-white membership became a political issue for others in the administration. As Deputy Counsel, Foster was also involved in a range of other matters, including preparation of executive orders , analyzing

1323-511: The east of Mena. Official investigations have focused on drug smuggling activities in Saline County, Arkansas . In February 2018, Billy Jack Haynes , a professional wrestler with a history of making controversial claims on camera, claimed to have been hired as a body guard for drug smugglers and a witness to these murders. He advocated for the case to be re-opened; however, the case remains unsolved. Jeremiah Films Jeremiah Films

1372-532: The exclusive Country Club of Little Rock. After Clinton's 1992 election , Foster joined Clinton's presidential transition team. Once Clinton was inaugurated, Foster joined his White House staff as Deputy White House Counsel in early 1993. This was despite Foster's initial reluctance to leave his Little Rock life behind and come to Washington. There he worked under the White House Counsel , Bernard W. Nussbaum , although Nussbaum would consider

1421-405: The film. Over 300,000 copies of the film were put into circulation with perhaps half that being sales. The film was produced shortly after Clinton's election to the presidency and provides background on a number of conspiracy theories associated with now former president Bill Clinton. Several of these theories date to Clinton's tenure as the governor of Arkansas . Allegations include: The video

1470-446: The hiring of Rodham at Rose Law Firm, where she became its first ever female associate (and later first female partner); Foster and fellow partner Webster Hubbell were instrumental in overcoming the reluctance of other partners to hire a woman. The hiring occurred soon after Bill Clinton was elected attorney general of Arkansas , which led Clinton and Rodham to move from Fayetteville to Little Rock. Foster and Rodham worked together on

1519-638: The incidents mentioned in The Clinton Chronicles continued to be investigated after its release. Paula Jones , who appeared in the film accusing Clinton of harassing her, sued the president for sexual harassment . The president paid Jones $ 850,000 to settle the case out of court. Special prosecutor Ken Starr was assigned to investigate a number of incidents mentioned in the film. While the Starr Report accused Clinton of obstruction of justice in covering up an affair, and other players in

The Clinton Chronicles - Misplaced Pages Continue

1568-480: The legal effect of various policies, examining international treaties, discussing the ramifications of authorizations for use of military force , and authorizing expenditures within the White House. Foster worked on placing the Clintons' financial holdings into a blind trust . He handled the Clintons' Madison Guaranty and Industrial Development Corporation paperwork and also several Whitewater -related tax returns . He worked twelve-hour days, six or seven days

1617-410: The murders of Ives and Henry attempted to sue Matrisciana for defamation. They initially prevailed; however, lost the case when it was appealed. The appeal focused primarily on free speech and the ability to criticize public figures. Even though the judges overturned the ruling of defamation, they were critical of the film in their ruling, saying it blurred the lines between fact and fiction. A number of

1666-635: The pair to be "co-senior partners". He was also joined with two other Rose Law Firm partners, William H. Kennedy, III , who served as his associate counsel, and Webster Hubbell , who became Associate Attorney General . The Foster residence was a small rented house in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. Foster had difficulty making the transition to life and politics in Washington. Unlike some other Clinton-associated figures, he had no experience with campaigns or electoral politics. His wife and youngest son were not with him, having stayed behind in Arkansas so

1715-422: The participants in the film after it aired for followup developments. Gary Parks, who appeared in a segment of the film discussing the suspicious circumstances of the death of his father, who investigated Clinton's womanizing, admitted he embellished some details in the film, but still believes his father was killed for political reasons. Linda Ives, the mother of Kevin Ives, stated that her interest for participating

1764-480: The partners, he didn't often take a vocal stand. ... But when he did, it almost always swayed the firm. When he left for Washington, people here spoke openly about the emotional vacuum." Colleagues speculated that Foster might have someday become president of the state bar association or a choice for a federal judgeship. Beginning in 1993, the Vince Foster, Jr. Outstanding Lawyer Award was given out annually by

1813-489: The people there. Foster excelled as a student and athlete. At Hope High School , he became president of the student council, with McLarty serving as vice president. He graduated from Hope High School in 1963. Foster attended Davidson College , graduating with a bachelor's degree in psychology in 1967. His father wanted him to join the family real estate business, but instead, he opted to attend law school. After starting at Vanderbilt University Law School , he joined

1862-526: The phone by his Arkansas doctor, starting with a low initial dosage. The next day, Foster was found dead in Fort Marcy Park , a federal park in Virginia. He was 48 years old. An autopsy determined that he was shot in the mouth and no other wounds were found on his body. A draft resignation letter was found torn into 27 pieces in his briefcase. The letter contained a list of grievances, including, "The WSJ editors lie without consequence" and saying, "I

1911-441: The possibility of a congressional hearing at which he might have been called to testify. Disliking the public spotlight and having continued weight loss and insomnia , he considered resigning his position but feared a personal humiliation upon returning to Arkansas. Struggling with depression , which after his death was assessed as clinical depression , Foster was prescribed the anti-depressant medication trazodone over

1960-404: The son could complete his senior year of high school at Catholic High in Little Rock. His initial role was in vetting potential administration appointees. As one subject of the vetting process later said, "I wondered why I was being interviewed by the guy who would be deputy counsel. Seemed his job was to find out how honest I was, and what level of ego I was bringing. It's a measure of how much

2009-458: The time. You get twenty dents and you go to the body shop. Vince couldn't see that, apparently." Four days after the commencement speech, the White House travel office controversy erupted. Foster was the target of several critical Wall Street Journal editorials in June and July 1993, with titles such as "Who is Vincent Foster?" He became quite upset over the travel office matter and

The Clinton Chronicles - Misplaced Pages Continue

2058-457: Was born in Hope, Arkansas , to Vincent W. Foster Sr. and Alice Mae Foster (1914–2012). His father became a successful real estate developer. Vincent had two sisters, Sheila and Sharon. Vincent was a childhood friend of Bill Clinton , then known as Billy Blythe. Clinton, a year and a half younger than Foster, resided in an adjoining property to Foster's with his grandparents while his mother

2107-430: Was characterized by The Washington Post as a "bizarre and unsubstantiated documentary." The New York Times reported that it was a poorly documented "hodgepodge of sometimes-crazed charges." The producers were criticized after it came to light that a number of the people in the documentary had been paid to appear. The director admitted the payments but denied he had instructed any paid participants to say anything that

2156-516: Was false. The movie helped perpetuate the Clinton body count conspiracy theory about a list of associates Clinton was purported to have had killed. The Los Angeles Times reported that Larry Nichols , who appears throughout the film and is the primary source for a number of the murder and mysterious death claims, was fired from his Arkansas state government job and once admitted to an Associated Press reporter to being motivated by spite. The fact checking site TruthOrFiction.com states that "There

2205-586: Was not meant for the job or the spotlight of public life in Washington. Here ruining people is considered sport." His funeral mass was held at the St. Andrew's Cathedral in Little Rock. Bill Clinton gave a eulogy in which he recalled their boyhood times together and quoted a line from Leon Russell 's " A Song for You ": "I love you in a place that has no space and time." Foster was buried in Memory Gardens Cemetery in his hometown of Hope. Foster

2254-483: Was often away studying nursing. Clinton later recalled, "I lived with my grandparents in a modest little house across from Vince Foster's nice, big, white brick house." Another Clinton recollection was that Foster "was kind to me and never lorded it over me the way so many older boys did with younger ones." Another childhood friend was Mack McLarty , who would one day become White House Chief of Staff for Clinton. In 1950, Clinton's mother remarried and they relocated to

2303-546: Was solving the mystery of her son's death, and was concerned her comments were used for political purposes. Bill Duncan, a former IRS agent who investigated the Mena accusations regretted appearing on the film, stating, "I would not have willingly been a part of it had I known where that footage would end up". Matrisciana produced a followup video focused exclusively on the Mena airport drug smuggling and murder accusations. Two police officers accused in that film of being involved with

2352-533: Was survived by his wife and three children. Five official or governmental investigations into Foster's death all concluded that he died of suicide. In 2004, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in National Archives and Records Administration v. Favish that the pictures of the scene and autopsy should not be released. Foster's death, occurring just six months into the new administration,

2401-769: Was the daughter of an insurance broker from Nashville and was attending Sweet Briar College . They married on April 20, 1968, at St. Henry Catholic Church in Nashville. They had three children: Vincent III, Laura, and John. In 1971, Foster joined Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas , and in 1974 was made partner, one of only nine in the firm at the time. He was the head of the Arkansas Bar Association committee that oversaw legal aid , and as such worked with legal aid clinic worker Hillary Rodham in successfully overcoming an unreasonable measuring requirement for indigent clients. Foster then initiated

#759240