The Clintons disputed what they took from the Whitehouse when Bill's termwas over, as being personal gifts, it has never been fully investigated or resolved.
WASHINGTON, June 11, 2002— The
General Accounting Office, an investigative arm of Congress, said today
that ''damage, theft, vandalism and pranks did occur in the White House
complex'' in the presidential transition from Bill Clinton to George W.
Bush. The agency put the cost at $13,000 to $14,000, including $4,850
to replace computer keyboards, many with damaged or missing W keys.
Some
of the damage, it said, was clearly intentional. Glue was smeared on
desk drawers. Messages disparaging President Bush were left on signs and
in telephone voice mail. A few of the messages used profane or obscene
language.
''A
Secret Service report documented the theft of a presidential seal that
was 12 inches in diameter from the Eisenhower Executive Office
Building,'' next to the White House, on Jan. 19, 2001, the accounting
office said.
''Any
intentional damage at the White House complex, which is a national
treasure, is both inappropriate and a serious matter,'' the report said.
''The theft of or willful damage to government property would
constitute a criminal act.''
The
accounting office confirmed that $9,324 had been spent to repair or
replace various items and to clean offices. That included $4,850 for 62
keyboards, $2,040 for 26 cellphones and $1,150 for professional
cleaning. In addition, the White House and the General Services
Administration estimated that it cost $3,750 to $4,675 to replace
missing doorknobs, medallions and office signs and the large
presidential seal, the accounting office said.
Former
President Clinton and his wife, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, have sent
$28,000 worth of household goods back to Washington after questions
arose over whether the items were intended as personal gifts or
donations to the White House.
After
they were criticized for taking $190,000 worth of china, flatware,
rugs, televisions, sofas and other gifts with them when they left, the
Clintons announced last week that they would pay for $86,000 worth of
gifts, or nearly half the amount.
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