Webster Lee Hubbell appeared at the Office of the Independent Counsel, Washington, D. C. as scheduled at 2:00 p.m. for interview. Mr. Hubbell was advised of the identity of the interviewing agents and that the purpose of the interview was to discuss his personal knowledge of Vincent Foster, his weekend at the shore with the Vincent Fosters on the weekend just prior to Vincent Foster's death, and his knowledge regarding a meeting on July 21, 1993 with the U.S. Park Police concerning their investigation of Foster's death. In addition to the interview agents, Carl Stich, Assistant to Independent Counsel, Robert B. Fiske, Jr., also assisted with the interview. Also present during the interview was John Nieldes, attorney for Hubbell. Hubbell provided the following information:

Personal Knowledge of Vincent Foster:

Mr.

He had known Vincent Foster for about 20 years, having worked with him at the Rose Law Firm in Little Rock, Arkansas. He explained that Foster started at this firm in January, 1971, and that he (Hubbell) started work there in May of 1973. He said that Foster was a graduate of the Arkansas Law School.

After coming to Washington, D. C. with the President in January, 1993, he said he spoke with Foster on a daily basis, at least concerning business matters. He advised that when Foster first came to Washington, he stayed with his (Foster's) sister, Sheila Anthony. Hubbell's wife came to Washington in March of 1993 and Foster's family joined him permanently in June of 1993. Foster's wife had rented temporary quarters in Washington in March or April, but continued to reside in Little Rock. The Foster children came to Washington in May or June of 1993.

Hubbell described his relationship with Foster as being "best friends."

The last time Hubbell saw Foster was the Monday before Foster died (7/19/93). He saw Foster in Foster's office and can't remember the business matter discussed, if any, but does

lavesngation on 4/13 & 14/94 a Washington, D.C.

File # 29D-LR-35063

by

Date dictated

4/13 & 15/94

OIC 000123

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency:

remember discussing the previous weekend the Foster and Hubbell families had spent together.

Hubbell described Foster in the following terms: reserved; not loud, held everything inside; loved his children more than anything, very close to them; had no weaknesses; very smart; quiet; meticulous in his work; spent time gathering facts before drawing conclusions; frustrated with White House Travel Office issues - attention in the media, unhappy with the FBI and internal report on the Travel Office matter; someone who worked until 10:00 to 11:00 p.m. each night and also on Saturdays and Sundays; hadn't gotten away from his White House work. When asked if he had observed any noticeable behavioral or emotional changes in Vincent Foster prior to his death, Hubbell said that in hindsight, he realized that the no time off from work was wearing on us all. Hubbell described a "once a week" dinner or "Arkansas night" frequently attended by Foster. Others who would often join the group included Deb Coyle (phonetic), Bruce Lindsey, Marsha Scott, John Emerson, Sheila and Burl Anthony and other out-of-town friends. Hubbell said Foster was a great friend, but not the life of the party. He did not notice Foster acting differently in the days or weeks before his death.

Hubbell said that Foster would cope with problems in his life, both professionally and personally, by relaxing by the pool, reading and jogging, although he had done the latter less since coming to D.C. and was not able to relax by a pool at all. His reading included everything such as novels, history, newspapers, etc.

Hubbell said that he was not aware of any problems or difficulties Foster was experiencing prior to his death. He said Foster never talked about money concerns and had successfully rented his house in Little Rock and that this was not a concern for him. When asked if there may be any stress associated with working on Whitewater tax returns, Hubbell answered that he was not sure Vince never mentioned this as a point of stress. He said Foster felt responsible for the Travel Office matter and didn't like the criticism being received on this issue.

When asked if Vincent Foster had an individual in his life in whom he could confide, Hubbell replied that Foster wasn't the type of person to say let's go for an hour or two and unload, but rather during five minute breaks in business discussions, he

would confide in Hubbell concerning matters on his mind. In addition to Hubbell, Hubbell believed Foster confided with his wife, Lisa, and his sister, Sheila Anthony, but he really wasn't someone to often do this.

Hubbell never remembered statements by Foster such as "I can't stand it anymore" or "I'd be better off dead" or other similar statements.

Hubbell answered no to all questions concerning any noticeable changes in Foster's personal appearance, physical ailments, headaches, loss of appetite or any kind of stomach trouble. He said, however, that both he and Foster had confided in each other about sleep difficulties. Foster had said on occasion that he had been up all night or didn't sleep well the previous night or that he had awakened in the middle of the night. Hubbell said that Foster had lost approximately 10-15 pounds prior to his death. At the time, Hubbell associated Foster's weight loss with work and the fact that they were eating lunch at the desk or not eating regularly. He and Foster had discussed that the new administration had walked into an "empty office." They compared it to a law office where "the clients were ready and you have nothing." Newspaper accounts concerning the previous administration's removal of office items was termed by Hubbell as accurate.

Hubbell said that he was not aware that Foster was experiencing any type of stress. Foster never talked to Hubbell about missing the comfort zone of the Rose Law Firm where they had worked for more than 20 years. They just never talked about it one way or the other. Rather, Foster talked about being on this great adventure in Washington, D. C. Hubbell said he and Foster were very close to the President and First Lady and discussed with each other, prior to coming to Washington, that I'll go if you go. Hubbell believed that Foster thought that the option of going back to Little Rock or the Rose Law Firm would have been an acknowledgement of failure. This was during the time of the Travel Office situation. Hubbell said if you really want to understand Foster, to look at his recent speech at the University of Arkansas. He believed Foster wrote the speech after someone else had worked on it. Foster rewrote the speech himself on the plane.

Hubbell described Foster's reputation as being "impeccable." He said Foster could have run for President of the Bar Association in Little Rock and nobody would have run against him. Foster was an anchor, a rock, in the White House Counsel office. Everybody felt they could go to him for advice. examples, Foster assisted/counseled George Stephanopoulos, the Domestic Policy Council, the lawsuit against the Healthcare Advisory Group and the Department of Justice.

As

Hubbell did not believe that Foster himself relied upon religion. Lisa Foster is Catholic and their children were raised Catholic. Hubbell believes Foster attended church at times with his family.

When asked if he had noticed any changes in interests or hobbies by Foster prior to his death, Hubbell replied that Foster continued to relax by reading. He had no knowledge of Foster having any firearms. He said he was not a hunter and only rarely participated in Arkansas duck hunt trips, f at all. Hubbell was very surprised to learn that Foster had any guns. "It just wasn't in his (Foster's) personality."

Hubbell described Foster's relationship with his wife as good. As with most people, there had perhaps been some stress adjusting to their new world; however, this was helped as Lisa became closer to other White House wives, to include Hubbell's. There may also have been some stress associated with Foster not being home often. Hubbell believed Lisa Foster was in favor of moving to Washington, D.C. with her husband. Again, as with anyone, perhaps with some reservations. However, they were all excited about joining the President.

Weekend of 7/17-18/35:

Hubbell was asked about the weekend before Foster's death. He explained that he and his wife were supposed to go to dinner with the Fosters on Friday evening, but that Foster had called him (Hubbell) in Miami and said that he and his wife were planning to go to the Eastern Shore.

Hubbell explained that both he and Foster knew Mike Cardoza, who had been Deputy White House Counsel in the Carter administration. During the transition, Cardoza had been asked by Zoe Baird for his help with personnel issues. Cardoza ended up