Nation IN BRIEF : ARKANSAS : Clinton Backs Aide in Billing Dispute

The White House said President Clinton retains full confidence in Associate Atty. Gen. Webster Hubbell, whose legal billing practices are being scrutinized by Hubbell’s former law firm. Clinton “stands by Webb. He believes him, believes his denial,” Press Secretary Dee Dee Myers said. The vote of confidence followed a Washington Post report that the Rose Law Firm of Little Rock, Ark., where Hubbell and First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton were once senior partners, is looking into charges that Hubbell overbilled clients or used the firm’s money for personal expenses. In a statement, Hubbell denied ever overbilling a client.