Stephen Smith is a University of Arkansas communications professor who was a top gubernatorial aide to Bill Clinton in Arkansas. Smith help run Governor Bill Clinton's early office and help him overcome his early defeat in his political career. Smith became part of Ken Starr's investigation; he remained loyal to the Clintons.
Smith gained national fame during the Whitewater scandal.He confessed to getting a phony loan from David Hale's company, saying it was to go for a "disadvantaged" political consulting firm Smith operated in the 1980s. The $65,000 loan in fact was for an overdue bank loan Smith had with Jim Guy Tucker. He pleaded guilty on June 8, 1995 to one misdemeanor count of conspiracy.
With just hours to go in his presidency, Bill Clinton issued a presidential pardon to Smith, one of 140 pardons he issued on his last day, and part of the Bill Clinton pardons controversy reported Time Feb. 18, 2001.
Smith is an internationally known First Amendment scholar and author of numerous books, including "The Star Chamber."