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The Times articles authoritatively advanced the public's knowledge of the extraordinary efforts taken by President Clinton's closest aides to help Webster L. Hubbell both before and after he pleaded guilty to felony charges. Among the revelations: A member of Clinton's Cabinet helped pry loose a disputed payment of public funds for Hubbell months after he pleaded guilty. This disclosure is made more compelling by the fact that the president has defended underling' efforts to help Hubbell on the basis that, prior to the guilty plea, no one had reason to believe that Hubbell did anything wrong. Certainly, the de-constructing of Hubbell's deals is crucial, because of his singular role as the former law partner of Hillary Clinton, friend to the president, No. 3 Justice Department official, convicted felon and would-be witness against the Clintons.