Cisneros’ Ex-Mistress Painted as a Schemer

Defending former Housing Secretary Henry G. Cisneros on conspiracy and obstruction charges, lawyer Brendan Sullivan sought to show that the government’s chief witness, Cisneros’ ex-mistress Linda Jones, is motivated to cooperate with prosecutors to shorten a prison term. Jones admitted that government prosecutors have pledged to support reducing her current 3 1/2-year sentence if she cooperates fully. But she denied that she had gotten prison furloughs, fancy hotel rooms or other special benefits since coming to Washington this month. Jones pleaded guilty last year to 28 counts involving fraud, conspiracy, money laundering and obstruction after becoming a target of an investigation of Cisneros.