McDougal Clears Way For Move To Arkansas

SANTA MONICA, Calif. (CNN) -- At a pretrial hearing Thursday on her embezzlement case, Susan McDougal waived any jurisdictional constraints in the event she is moved back to Arkansas for a hearing related to her contempt charges in the Whitewater case.

Apparently U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright in Little Rock was concerned that if McDougal is moved to Arkansas, the district attorney in McDougal's embezzlement case in Santa Monica may lose jurisdiction.

Outside of court, McDougal's brother said a hearing regarding whether she can be released from incarceration on contempt charges "could be January 29."

Another pretrial hearing was scheduled for January 26 for discovery matters in the embezzlement case. Trial in the case is set for February 23.

McDougal is awaiting trial on California state charges that she stole about $150,000 from orchestra conductor Zubin Mehta and his wife, Nancy, while working as their assistant. McDougal faces three counts of state income tax evasion and seven theft-related charges in the state case.

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