Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Crown Manor hijinks

The Clintons enjoyed plenty of financial support and, uh…hospitality from the late M. Larry Lawrence and his wife Shelia.
The Clintons enjoyed plenty of financial support and, uh…hospitality from the late M. Larry Lawrence and his wife Shelia.

Will letters from Coronado haunt the presidential hopes of Hillary Clinton, wife of Bill, whose own campaign for president enjoyed the big-time financial backing of the late M. Larry Lawrence, once the most powerful and richest Democrat in San Diego County? The proprietor of the Hotel del Coronado, real estate wheeler-dealer Lawrence financed a stable of candidates — local, state, and national — and squired a bevy of flashy young women. By the time he took Bill Clinton under his wing in the early 1990s, Lawrence was on his fourth wife Shelia, an ex-security guard at a casino on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, said to have also attracted Clinton’s interest. This month, the Clinton presidential library in Little Rock released another round of documents from that high-rolling era that illustrate Lawrence’s way with personal blandishments.

“In 1944, FDR narrowly prevailed over Tom Dewey,” wrote Lawrence in a November 11, 1992, letter to the then-president elect. “That was the last time San Diego voted for a Democrat until your victory. In addition, ‘our’ lucky charm, Shelia, brought in two new Democratic members of Congress, two State Senators and four State Assembly members. All categories are records for this area.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“Yes, I am very proud of her and of you! We spent almost a week in Little Rock and, fortunately, were able to see you at the airport. We also had a lovely dinner with Deborah Sale and her very enjoyable husband, Ted. Both of them suggested we put our ideas and suggestions in writing as to where, if possible, we can help in the future. We are doing so separately.

“My desire is that Shelia will be given priority consideration—first, on arrangements for the Inauguration and, subsequently, as your protocol chief. We also have a wonderful idea about Coronado, which we hope to share with you privately. It is perfect for you, Hillary and Chelsea... right on the beach, almost private golf, and very affordable.”

Lawrence later revealed his secret: a mansion he renamed Crown Manor down the beach from his hotel, where Clinton and Shelia, without Hillary, were later rumored to have spent quality time together. During a deposition held in connection with the Paula Jones sexual harassment case against Clinton, Shelia denied any hanky-panky with the president, saying talk of intimacy at Crown Manor was an “outrageous, scurrilous accusation that is completely untrue,” according to a March 1998 account in the Washington Post. Added the paper: “Clinton likewise denied it in his deposition, although he acknowledged staying overnight in her house on two occasions while president, once with his family and on another occasion with [top aide and close confidant, Bruce R. Lindsey].” (The rumors about Shelia and Bill’s frolics were first reported by Arianna Huffington, the liberal online mogul who was then a conservative columnist. Shelia filed a libel suit that was subsequently settled out of court, according to the Post. She later struck up a relationship with ex–Union-Tribune cartoonist Steve Kelley and fought a bitter custody battle with him over a child they had together.)

Although Lawrence’s wife didn’t get the White House protocol gig, Larry was appointed ambassador to Switzerland; he died of cancer while in office. Clinton arranged for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, but subsequent revelations that Lawrence had falsified his wartime Merchant Marine record caused a scandal that led to his disinterment and reburial back in San Diego.

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

The vicious cycle of Escondido's abandoned buildings

City staff blames owners for raising rents
Next Article

The danger of San Diego's hoarders

The $1 million Flash Comics #1
The Clintons enjoyed plenty of financial support and, uh…hospitality from the late M. Larry Lawrence and his wife Shelia.
The Clintons enjoyed plenty of financial support and, uh…hospitality from the late M. Larry Lawrence and his wife Shelia.

Will letters from Coronado haunt the presidential hopes of Hillary Clinton, wife of Bill, whose own campaign for president enjoyed the big-time financial backing of the late M. Larry Lawrence, once the most powerful and richest Democrat in San Diego County? The proprietor of the Hotel del Coronado, real estate wheeler-dealer Lawrence financed a stable of candidates — local, state, and national — and squired a bevy of flashy young women. By the time he took Bill Clinton under his wing in the early 1990s, Lawrence was on his fourth wife Shelia, an ex-security guard at a casino on the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe, said to have also attracted Clinton’s interest. This month, the Clinton presidential library in Little Rock released another round of documents from that high-rolling era that illustrate Lawrence’s way with personal blandishments.

“In 1944, FDR narrowly prevailed over Tom Dewey,” wrote Lawrence in a November 11, 1992, letter to the then-president elect. “That was the last time San Diego voted for a Democrat until your victory. In addition, ‘our’ lucky charm, Shelia, brought in two new Democratic members of Congress, two State Senators and four State Assembly members. All categories are records for this area.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“Yes, I am very proud of her and of you! We spent almost a week in Little Rock and, fortunately, were able to see you at the airport. We also had a lovely dinner with Deborah Sale and her very enjoyable husband, Ted. Both of them suggested we put our ideas and suggestions in writing as to where, if possible, we can help in the future. We are doing so separately.

“My desire is that Shelia will be given priority consideration—first, on arrangements for the Inauguration and, subsequently, as your protocol chief. We also have a wonderful idea about Coronado, which we hope to share with you privately. It is perfect for you, Hillary and Chelsea... right on the beach, almost private golf, and very affordable.”

Lawrence later revealed his secret: a mansion he renamed Crown Manor down the beach from his hotel, where Clinton and Shelia, without Hillary, were later rumored to have spent quality time together. During a deposition held in connection with the Paula Jones sexual harassment case against Clinton, Shelia denied any hanky-panky with the president, saying talk of intimacy at Crown Manor was an “outrageous, scurrilous accusation that is completely untrue,” according to a March 1998 account in the Washington Post. Added the paper: “Clinton likewise denied it in his deposition, although he acknowledged staying overnight in her house on two occasions while president, once with his family and on another occasion with [top aide and close confidant, Bruce R. Lindsey].” (The rumors about Shelia and Bill’s frolics were first reported by Arianna Huffington, the liberal online mogul who was then a conservative columnist. Shelia filed a libel suit that was subsequently settled out of court, according to the Post. She later struck up a relationship with ex–Union-Tribune cartoonist Steve Kelley and fought a bitter custody battle with him over a child they had together.)

Although Lawrence’s wife didn’t get the White House protocol gig, Larry was appointed ambassador to Switzerland; he died of cancer while in office. Clinton arranged for burial at Arlington National Cemetery, but subsequent revelations that Lawrence had falsified his wartime Merchant Marine record caused a scandal that led to his disinterment and reburial back in San Diego.

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

The Fellini of Clairemont High

When gang showers were standard for gym class
Next Article

Gonzo Report: Three nights of Mission Bayfest bring bliss

“This is a top-notch production.”
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader