January 10, 2002WASHINGTON - Donations to Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's political-action committee have topped $1 million - including money from partners in the firm that rents Bill Clinton his office space in Harlem.
Three partners in Cogswell Realty Group, which leases the former president his office space, contributed $5,000 to HILLPAC, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Bill Clinton moved his office space to their Harlem building after controversy arose over the costly suite he was considering in Midtown. Taxpayers foot the bill for the office space of ex-presidents.
Hillary Clinton raised $1.3 million for HILLPAC in her first year in the U.S. Senate, an impressive total for a freshman.
She continued to raise money after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, according to the records.
Sen. Clinton donated $294,000 of her PAC money to other Democratic candidates.
She appeared especially intent on currying favor with powerful Senate colleagues facing re-election this year.
She donated $4,000 each to Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin (D-Mich.) and Agriculture Committee Chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa).
But HILLPAC spent most of its money - $731,438 - on upkeep, office rent, salaries and the cost of the fund-raising events.
Sen. Clinton has been a formidable fund-raiser since her days as first lady.
Some saw her early establishment of a PAC as evidence of White House aspirations, but she has denied it. Aides say she wants to raise money for Democratic candidates as the party seeks a House majority and continued control of the Senate.
Many members of Congress have similar PACs, including New York's senior senator, Charles Schumer. Schumer's PAC raised $25,000 in 2001, and had just $233 cash on hand at the end of the year.
AP
