Cisneros' Ex-Mistress Pleads Guilty

LUBBOCK, Texas (AllPolitics, Jan. 15) -- Linda Jones, the former mistress of ex-Housing Secretary Henry Cisneros, pleaded guilty today to charges she misled investigators examining Cisneros' hush-money payments to her.

Jones cried during her court appearance, and her plea to 28 fraud and conspiracy charges calls for her to spend 3 1/2 years in federal prison.

Cisneros also was indicted last month and faces 18 counts of obstructing or attempting to obstruct justice, making false statements and concealing information from the FBI. The FBI probe occurred as part of the background check before Cisneros joined the Clinton Administration.

Jones' sister and brother-in-law also pleaded guilty to related charges.

With her plea, Jones avoids a trial. Last week, a judge rejected a defense suggestion that Jones, who once suffered a nervous breakdown, was not stable enough to stand trial.

Cisneros, president of the Spanish language Univision TV network, faces trial in Washington on Nov. 4 on charges he lied about the how much he paid Jones. Prosecutors say the payments totaled about $250,000, while Cisneros said they were much less.

Cisneros' attorney, Cono Namorato, has said that Cisneros has attempted to put mistakes in his personal life behind him, and "will defend himself vigorously."

Cisneros stepped down as Clinton's Housing and Urban Development secretary in November 1996.

Thursday Jan. 15, 1998

• Clinton To Push For Tobacco Legislation
• Witnesses Say Congressman Knew Of Bomb Warning
• McDougal Clears Way For Move To Arkansas
• Clinton's Lawyers To Get Jones Expense Records
• Gore Announces New Aid To Ice-Ravaged Maine
• Glenn Will Return To Space
• Cisneros' Ex-Mistress Pleads Guilty
• President Honors 15 With Presidential Medals
• Herman Denies Influence-Peddling Accusation