In 1993, several months after Bill Clinton was sworn in as the 42nd president of the United States, his younger brother Roger was in the news.
Eight years earlier, Roger spent a year in jail on a cocaine possession charge. Now, with a new lease on life and sudden national notoriety, he decided to become a rock singer.
When I saw Clinton was booked for a show at a New York club, I decided to go. After his decidedly mediocre first set, I headed backstage, hoping to meet the president's druggie brother. A large bodyguard held me at bay. But when I told him I was with HIgh Times, everything changed. L.D. brought me back and introduced me to Roger, who seemed impressed with my credential. L.D. took my card and I left the Palace. The next day he called and said Roger would like to get together. We made an appointment for two days later.
The next night, Roger went to a Knicks game at Madison Square Garden where he got into an altercation with a fan who insulted Bill. This immediately made headlines.
When I arrived at the Lexington Hotel in the morning, media was swarming all over. I went up to Roger's suite and was escorted into the bedroom. I came prepared just in case he wanted some weed. I tossed a few bags on the bed. L.D. rolled up a joint and we all smoked.
Roger and L.D. then cooked up a plan for him to leave the hotel and somehow avoid the press. Here's what they wanted me to do: I would act as the decoy while Roger and L.D. went out a side entrance into a waiting limousine. They had me cover my head with a jacket, which would make people think I was Roger. No one really fell for the ruse as I walked through the lobby. When I got outside, the limo was there waiting, but Roger wasn't in it. I hopped in. A minute later, Roger and L.D. raced over and got in. (The limo driver apparently neglected to go to the side entrance.) The press clamored around, knocking on the windows. Roger rolled his down and said a few things before we sped away.
They thanked me and dropped me off a few blocks away. I never saw Roger or heard from L.D. again.
So I guess you can say for one brief day in 1993, I was Roger Clinton's pot dealer.
Postscript: Roger Clinton was arrested for DUI in Redondo Beach, CA on June 5.
