A longtime adviser to Hillary Rodham Clinton acknowledged Tuesday that she solicited money from disgraced fundraiser Jeffrey Thompson for Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 presidential campaign, but said her efforts were legal.
Minyon Moore, identified by federal prosecutors as “Individual A” in the criminal complaint against Thompson, said through representatives that she asked Thompson in 2008 to pay for “street teams” that would raise Mrs. Clinton’s profile in urban communities in the Democratic presidential primary.
“She asked Thompson to contribute and raise money directly for the campaign so the campaign could afford to execute a field program in constituent communities,” said a statement from the Dewey Square Group. “Her actions were legal.”
The statement also said that Ms. Moore “fully cooperated with the government’s investigation.” She was a senior adviser to Mrs. Clinton’s 2008 campaign.
Thompson pleaded guilty Monday in federal court to raising money for an illegal “shadow campaign” for Mayor Vincent C. Gray in 2010. He also admitted funneling more than $600,000 in illicit funds to aid Mrs. Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008 when she was seeking the Democratic nomination against Barack Obama.
Prosecutors said Thompson funneled the money to a New York marketing executive, Troy White, who offered his services to the Clinton campaign. A lawyer for the campaign said previously that they turned down White’s services.
Prosecutors also said that Thompson raised the money in coordination with the Clinton campaign, although they said Mrs. Clinton had no direct knowledge of the effort.
The court filing in Thompson’s case also said Ms. Moore gave White “confidential internal information” about the Clinton campaign’s itinerary. The “street teams” disseminated campaign-prepared materials such as bumper stickers and yard signs in Texas, one of the key primary battlegrounds that year.
The Republican National Committee said the insights into Mrs. Clinton’s campaign raise more questions about her 2008 operation, as her supporters gear up for a probable run for the White House in 2016.
“The revelations today that one of Hillary Clinton’s closest political advisers knew about an illegal shadow campaign operation to support her campaign is shocking,” said RNC spokeswoman Kirsten Kukowski. “With another campaign on the horizon and that same adviser still serving as Clinton’s ’political eyes and ears,’ will she give back the money?”
The statement on behalf of Ms. Moore said the facts “make clear that she was entirely unaware of any inappropriate activities and at all times conducted herself, as she always has, not only in full compliance with the law but in accordance with the highest ethical and professional standards.”
Ms. Moore’s representatives said she “communicated with Troy White with the understanding he was acting in compliance with campaign finance laws.”
SEE ALSO: Hillary Clinton campaign received funds from Jeffrey Thompson
“She was never aware Jeffrey Thompson paid Troy White or any other vendor outside of the campaign,” the statement said.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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