WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Oct. 31) -- Democratic fund-raiser John Huang was a frequent visitor to the Clinton White House, stopping by 78 times in the past 15 months, according to Secret Service logs.
Huang, the man at the center of the controversy over Democratic fund-raising and overseas contributions, remains on the Democratic National Committee's payroll, but was relieved of his finance duties Oct. 18.
The Secret Service logs do not indicate the purpose for Huang's frequent visits, and Republicans have challenged the administration to explain them.
In a statement, Rep. William Clinger (R-Pa.), chairman of the House Government Reform and Oversight Committee, said Clinton "owes the American people a full and complete explanation regarding the many questionable activities of his 'longtime friend John Huang' while Huang was at the Commerce Department, the DNC and particularly at the White House."
But White House aides, traveling with the president in Arizona, said there was nothing unusual about Huang visiting, either as a Commerce Department employee or later as a DNC staffer. They note that some of the visits may have been social occasions or for the administration's Asian American outreach activities.
Huang has raised an estimated $4 million to $5 million for the Democrats, primarily from Asian Americans. He has close ties to the Riadys, an Indonesian banking family whose members have given heavily to Democratic causes.
Earlier this week, Huang gave testimony in a civil lawsuit filed by a conservative group seeking information on links, if any, between Commerce Department trade missions and Democratic fund-raising.