Clinton Testifies On Tape In Trial Of Two Bankers

President Clinton sat before video cameras again Sunday for another Whitewater trial, this time testifying in the case of two Arkansas bankers accused of making political contributions with bank funds.

After attending morning church services with daughter Chelsea, the president returned to the White House for two hours and 20 minutes of closed-door questioning by attorneys for Herby Branscum Jr. and Robert M. Hill and cross-examination by prosecutors.

Afterward, the White House issued a statement reiterating that Clinton is not the first president to testify in a criminal trial and citing U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright’s order that officials not discuss Clinton’s deposition until after it is shown in court.

Branscum and Hill are accused of reimbursing themselves for contributions to political candidates - including Clinton in 1990 when he ran for governor and in 1991 when he considered seeking the presidency - with funds from their Perryville, Ark., bank.

While Clinton is not charged with wrongdoing, the White House hoped Sunday to minimize political damage from his second testimony before a federal judge in 10 weeks. In April, the president testified for just over four hours in the Whitewater trial of Gov. Jim Guy Tucker and James and Susan McDougal, all of whom were convicted.