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Fact check

Is it true: Whitewater investigation (1994-2000)?

Unsubstantiated80% confidence

There's no solid evidence for it.

Claim: the Clintons unlawfully profited from Whitewater or their dealings with Madison Guaranty, knowingly took part in James McDougal's fraud, or corruptly helped Madison Guaranty and covered it up. After a six-year, $50M+ investigation by three prosecutors, none of this was proved. Independent Counsel Robert Ray said on September 20, 2000 that the evidence was insufficient to prove to a jury beyond a reasonable doubt that either Clinton knowingly participated in any criminal conduct, and his final report (released March 20, 2002) found that the Clintons realised no profit from the Whitewater venture. One limb is partly true: Ray found the Clintons indirectly benefited from McDougal's fraud, because it forestalled foreclosure on the property, but that is not knowing participation or unlawful profit. And insufficient to prosecute is not disproof: the same report said there was some evidence that Bill Clinton knew of two McDougal transactions, and that a jury could conclude Hillary Clinton had her subpoenaed billing records in the White House in or after August 1995, and judged both too weak to convict on. The McDougals and Jim Guy Tucker were convicted in 1996; the Clintons were never charged.

The claim

Bill and Hillary Clinton unlawfully profited from the Whitewater Development Company or their dealings with James McDougal's Madison Guaranty Savings and Loan, knowingly took part in McDougal's fraud, or corruptly used their positions to help Madison Guaranty, and then covered it up.

Key evidence

Investigation expanded to Lewinsky, leading to impeachment on separate facts

Independent Counsel Ray: evidence insufficient to prove the Clintons knowingly participated in crimes

Read the full evidence file

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