Ex-White House Travel Office Chief Arraigned in Embezzlement Case

Billy R. Dale, charged with embezzling money paid by the news media for travel with the President, pleaded not guilty Thursday and asked a judge to demand records from First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and others in the White House.

Dale, the former chief of the travel office, was arraigned before U.S. District Judge Harold H. Greene, booked, then released on his own recognizance.

Prosecutor Stuart Goldberg estimated that the trial, which will probably begin in February, would take two weeks.

Among the records sought are those of the late Vincent Foster, the deputy White House counsel who committed suicide. The request covers “all documents, records and files” removed from Foster’s safe that refer in any way to the White House travel office.

Dale’s lawyer said records seized from Dale’s office were never returned and that prosecutors claim they don’t have them.

“The persons whose records are sought are named in several reports as having an interest in taking over the travel office functions and, in some instances, removing travel office documents,” his motion claims.

The Clinton White House, complaining of lax management of the travel office, fired Dale and the other six employees in May, 1993. The Administration subsequently said it had made a mistake and found new jobs for the workers, except for Dale and one who retired.

A grand jury indictment earlier this month said Dale pocketed more than $68,000.

The grand jury, however, charged Dale only on two counts of embezzling and converting $33,297 to his own use, because the statute of limitations had expired on the rest.