Judge Refuses to Dismiss McDougal’s Charges

A Santa Monica Superior Court judge refused to dismiss charges Tuesday against Whitewater figure Susan McDougal, ordering her to stand trial on charges of embezzling $150,000 from the wife of former Los Angeles Philharmonic conductor Zubin Mehta.

Judge Paul Flynn rejected arguments that McDougal, 42, did not get a fair preliminary hearing and that some of the charges were filed after the statute of limitations had expired.

McDougal, who has pleaded not guilty in that case, is far better known as the former investment partner of President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Whitewater land deal. She has been held since September on federal contempt of court charges for her refusal to testify before the federal grand jury studying Whitewater.

McDougal anxiously watched the proceedings Tuesday and spoke only briefly to answer a question posed by Flynn.

In 1993, McDougal was charged with grand theft and forgery for allegedly making unauthorized credit card purchases and forging checks when she was working as a bookkeeper for Nancy Mehta, the conductor’s wife.

Defense attorney Mark Geragos contended in court that McDougal could have been cleared at her preliminary hearing if a judge had allowed her to subpoena Nancy Mehta.

Flynn set an Aug. 20 trial date.