Jury Clears Ex-Clinton Aide

The former national finance director for Hillary Rodham Clinton's Senate campaign was acquitted Friday of lying to the government about a lavish 2000 Hollywood fundraising gala.

David Rosen, 38, was charged with two counts of making false statements to the Federal Election Commission about the cost of the star-studded gala, which attracted such celebrities as Cher, Melissa Ethridge, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston.

The jury of seven men and five women deliberated about six hours before reaching its verdict.

Clinton was not charged, but Republicans closely monitored the trial, hoping fallout from it might damage the New York Democrat's 2006 re-election bid and scuttle any hopes for a possible presidential campaign in 2008.

Prosecutors alleged that Rosen deliberately caused campaign finance reports to be filed that listed "in-kind" contributions of $400,000 for the gala, when he knew that contributions exceeded $1.1 million. They said Rosen was trying to duck federal financing rules so Clinton's campaign would have more money to spend.

Rosen claimed he relied on other people in documenting the cost of the event.