According to FEC Info, an Internet Web site (www.tray.com) that tracks federal political contributions, 176 individual donors actually contributed $10,000 or more to the lewinsky-era Clinton Legal Expense Trust fund through Dec 1999. Another 21 donors gave $10,000 in the first six months of 2000.
Thanks to Hollyood's generosity, a total of more than $2.2 million was raised in six months, which was notably more than was collected in funding during the previous four years of his presidency—combined.
Hollywood producers and stars made up the bulk of the most generous givers. They included:
<><> Universal Studios tycoon Lew Wasserman and his wife, Edith, who have given $60,000;
<><>DreamWorks trio Steven Spielberg, David Geffen and Jeffrey Katzenberg, $20,000 each;
<><> producer Ron Burkle and his wife, Janet, $40,000;
<><> producers Peg and Bud Yorkin, $30,000;
<><> TV producer Norman Lear, $20,000.
Entertainment celebrities and executives giving $10,000 included:
<><> singers Tony Bennett and Barbra Streisand;
<><> actors Michael Douglas and Tom Hanks;
<><> director Ron Howard; producer Gail Zappa;
<><>Black Entertainment Television founder Robert L. Johnson.
When Bill Clinton was at the height of the Monica Lewinsky sex scandal, Hollywood was by his side, offering donations for his legal fees, and one significant donor was a man who is now going through his own sex scandal—Harvey Weinstein.