Jones Revises Claims, Money in Clinton Suit

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Paula Jones reduced the damages sought in her sexual harassment lawsuit against President Clinton on Monday to $525,000, down from $700,000, and officially dropped defamation claims against Clinton’s co-defendant.

Her revised complaint also added assertions that Clinton, as governor, gave preferential treatment to female state employees who succumbed to his sexual advances.

Monday’s filing came two weeks after a federal judge gave Jones approval to drop some of her claims against Danny Ferguson, Clinton’s former bodyguard.

Jones had claimed Ferguson tarnished her reputation by saying she was eager to be Clinton’s mistress. Without the claim, lawyers may have less reason to delve into Jones’ past.

Ferguson’s lawyer, Bill Bristow, has already questioned potential witnesses about Jones’ past relationships and job history, saying that he needs to “determine what her reputation is” to defend his client against the defamation claim.

The amount sought in compensatory and punitive damages in the lawsuit was dropped because the defamation claim was deleted.

Jones, in her lawsuit filed in May 1994, claims Clinton exposed himself and asked for oral sex in a Little Rock hotel room in 1991 while Clinton was governor and she was a state employee.

Clinton has denied Jones’ allegations and said he does not recall ever meeting her.

The new complaint adds language asserting that Clinton, as governor, granted governmental and employment benefits--such as raises and promotions--to women who succumbed to his solicitations of sexual favors.

Jones also claims she suffered a hostile work environment because she rejected Clinton and was denied those benefits.

U.S. District Judge Susan Webber Wright has issued a gag order barring both sides from discussing the case.