Livingstone Denies Political Spying

By Mark Feldstein/CNN

WASHINGTON (June 21) -- White House security chief Craig Livingstone insists he did not engage in political spying, did not take confidential files out of the White House, and did not pass FBI reports on to anyone else.

This is the first time Livingstone's defense has been presented in detail, and this information comes from a source close to Livingstone, who gave CNN a lengthy interview on condition he not be identified.

Livingstone tried to be extra careful about the sensitivity of FBI files, the source said, after he was previously "rebuked" by an administration official for talking about the secret background reports.

It could not be determined who in the administration caught Livingstone talking about the files, or when it happened. But the source says Livingstone took the rebuke to heart and made sure not to repeat his mistake.

The source says Livingstone accepts that he made mistakes and should have "supervised his office better," but the source insists that Livingstone did not commit any crimes. Congressional committees already are looking into the file fiasco, and special prosecutor Kenneth Starr may launch an inquiry, too.

Among the secret FBI files that Livingstone obtained: Reagan-Bush aides Marlin Fitzwater, Ken Duberstein and James Baker. But the source says Livingstone "does not recall" such files, and the source says Livingstone had them only because an outdated list said they were active at the White House. Livingstone is said to have had no reason to believe otherwise.

White House counsel Mark Fabiani told CNN: "We have shared everything we know."

The source close to Livingstone confirms that college-age interns at the White House obtained secret FBI files, but says Livingstone tried to stop that by getting more paid staff and training them. Livingstone is described as having been so concerned about security that he personally deleted the names of CIA employees from previous administrations who were mistakenly carried over on White House lists.

Despite claims by some Republicans that First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton was responsible for getting Livingstone his sensitive White House job, the source close to Livingstone says that Mrs. Clinton did not even know him when he went to work at the White House.

The source also says Livingstone and his parents have been devastated by the negative publicity, especially his characterization as an overweight former bouncer. He says Livingstone is actually an insulin-dependent diabetic. Livingstone is described as a working-class kid frightened by the scrutiny.

Next week, Livingston is scheduled to tell his story himself before a congressional committee.

Senate Panel Looking At FBI Files Flap -- June 20, 1996

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Livingstone Denies Political Spying

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