Update: Sinclair failed the polygraph exam, and has been thoroughly discredited.
Larry Sinclair answers critics' claims that he's a toothless idiot
in a recently released follow-up video.
The most bizarre sideshow of the campaign so far is back in business again -- Larry Sinclair, the whacko who made farsical claims in a YouTube video that he'd engaged in oral sex and cocaine use with Barack Obama, is back in the news.
First, he's filed a lawsuit in Federal Court against Obama, a well as Obama campaign head David Axelrod and the Democratic National Committee:
Sinclair filed suit against Obama and his campaign guru David Axelrod in Minnesota district court for allegedly attempting to abridge Sinclair's right to free speech, and for waging an intimidation campaign against him.
Sinclair points to these remarks, made in a community blog on the official Democratic National Committee website, as evidence supporting his lawsuit.
And apparently Obama's camp is trying to use Sinclair's attack to smear Hillary Clinton.
The whole thing is completely crazy, but that alone isn't enough to make it problematic for the Senator. According to several political blogs, the Obama team is looking into any connections Sinclair might have with the Clinton campaign.
In an attempt to prove or disprove Sinclair's wild accusations, whitehouse.com, a satirical website not connected to any governmental agency or the White House (which uses web address whitehouse.gov), has offered Sinclair an opportunity to prove his claim in a polygraph test, taking him up on his offer made in his original YouTube video. Sinclair would receive $10,000 just for taking the test, pass or fail, and would receive $100,000 if the polygraph results support his claim about Obama.
Alright, Larry Sinclair. We've seen your video saying you had a couple of hot nights with Barack Obama. You "performed oral sex" on him while he smoked crack a few years back in Illinois.It's a pretty good story but we have to admit that it sounds a bit far-fetched. Please pardon us for being skeptical though Larry, it's just these crazy times we live in.
[Update: Read my thoughts on Sinclair's taking of the polygraph in this post titled : "If Larry Sinclair Passes the Polygraph it Doesn't Prove Anything."]
But the laughs just keep on coming. In the federal lawsuit filed by Sinclair (page 1, page 2, page 3) he listed his home address in Duluth, Minnesota, and bloggers have looked into that address seeking to learn more about Sinclair.
From the dearmurray.com website:
As it turns out, the address listed [for Sinclair] on the court filings is for an "elderly assisted care" facility in Duluth, MN.A section 236 HUD housing complex for the elderly and handicapped.
See p. 12 of the HUD report for Minnesota housing:
http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/mfh/hto/state/mn.pdf
Gateway Tower
Units: 154
Occupancy Eligibility: Elderly and Handicapped
Living in an assisted-care housing facility would be quite a step down from the big-spending big shot image Sinclair tried to project in his original video.
And recently the same folks at dearmurray.com researched the original release of the Sinclair video, and came to the conclusion that Ron Paul supporters were behind Sinclair.
"Mr. Sinclair" has given zero proof and absolutely few details about his life to support any sort of credibility.There appears to be substantial proof, however, that this is originating and/or being perpetuated from the Ron Paul support base.
More to come. I'm sure there will be lots more finger-pointing, denials, and theatrics ahead.
Update:
I just came across a radio interview conducted by a conservative internet radio talk show (caosblog.com) where Sinclair addresses the issues, and states he's negotiating with whitehouse.com over the details for taking the polygraph test. Sinclair makes it sound as if the deal is moving forward and will happen.
Sinclair mentions in the hour-long interview that he's talked extensively with a Chicago Tribune newspaper reporter who is investigating and fact-checking Sinclair's claims, and goes into more details about his lawsuit in a radio show linked here.
Sinclair also says he's now being accused of working for Obama, and that he's doing this so that Obama can lay claim that he's being attacked and smeared by Clinton.
He goes on the say he's not working for any campaign, and that reporters are telling him that the media won't touch this story unless they can speak directly to the limo driver Sinclair claims introduced him to Obama. Sinclair says the limo driver has requested that his name not be released at this time but is willing to 'go public' once the story is picked up by the mainstream media.
Apparently the MSM is starting to make inquiries, and Sinclair mentions that he's talked to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Chicago Sun-tmes, and the New York Times.
With respect to the building in which he lives, Sinclair confirms he's now physically disabled (but wasn't when he met Obama in 1999) and further states that he is not living with assisted care, and that he pays market-rate rent for his apartment as per HUD regulations.

Comments (30)
Thanks for the backlink, folks! He's threatening to sue me now, too, for slander. My lawyer has offered to represent me for free, so here's hoping he does!
1. Posted by Murray | February 17, 2008 10:01 PM
Posted on February 17, 2008 22:01
Isn't this the sort of story that Larry Flynt, publisher of Hustler if confirmed, pays a million dollars for? And what would end this story or keep it alive is for someone to talk to some of Larry Sinclair's friends, neighbours and relatives and find out what type of person this guy is. As I suspect it will be the description of someone who likes to invent stories or is very vulnerable to being persuaded that something did happen like those people who give first person accounts of being involved in alien abductions.
2. Posted by Steve Crickmore | February 18, 2008 10:20 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 10:20
The above reporting is outrageous, slanderous and something to promote false gossip and speculation about Senator Obama. If that is the only way they can win, it is pretty telling what kind of people would be in the Whitehouse who could stoop to spreading lies for their own personal gain. There are plenty of stories about Pres. Clinton and his sex escapades and some of Sen Clinton which I will not stoop to go into because unsubstantiated and I will not try to slander someone's good name for political gain for someone else. I hope Sen. Obama finds out who paid this man to slander him in this way. And if it is the Clintons, I don't think they want to Go There!
3. Posted by bacaangel
| February 18, 2008 10:44 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 10:44
If this person reside in a skill nursing facility due to his disability then it appeared that this individual could have another condition why he is in the SNF. He appeared he can able to do his ADLs and capacity to create such things and because of that more likely he has other physical and mental conditions that qualified him to be in that environment. Government subsidized care required substantiated medical conditions in order to qualify. The question is, if he is disable, then how long he has been that way? Is it congenital or due to other reasons such as car accident? There are thousands of questions why he is in this facility and that alone raises the validity of his case.
4. Posted by stclaire, San Diego | February 18, 2008 11:46 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 11:46
Sinclair answered that question in one of the interviews, stating that he has a non-congenital, physical disability only.
Perhaps questions about his disability will be included in the poiygraph test.
5. Posted by Lee Ward
| February 18, 2008 11:49 AM
Posted on February 18, 2008 11:49
I am hoping also that the test will include her past mental condition. People should also take in consideration that this type of test is not exactly 100%. People with extreme neurophysical superiority can possibly beat this mode of testing. Whoeve is paying for this test, they should also consider asking Sinclair permission (in writing) to research his past medical records. Mind you, even childhood past medical conditions will indicate something. They should not rely on this test. They have to dig deeper. If they don't, the other party will. The irony of this, the family and relatives of this individual will be exposed to scrutiny in order to excavate the "other" possibilities.
6. Posted by stclaire, San Diego | February 18, 2008 12:16 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 12:16
How do you know Sinclair's not telling the truth? He's got specific dates and places -- should be easy for a few MSM journalists to take a few days and ask the right questions.
If Obama used crack in 1999, then that's it for him. Do you even want to know? Most Obama fans probably don't.
7. Posted by Zevon | February 18, 2008 12:29 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 12:29
Specific dates and places could be all connected into a possible story. In order to sensetionalized a "Me" story, I myself sometimes could do that specially if you are going back to an almost ten years old scenario. The most odd of this story, this individual came up with this recent allegation and elected not to expose this story when the senator became famous right after the 2004 democratic convention or even right after the release of his famous books. This individual could not have the ability to predict that he is running for president unless he is a gifted fortune teller. The disparity of sequence of events will even induce question in the minds and intelligence of common people and that including me.
Alright, enough with this. I have laundry and cooking to do.
8. Posted by stclaire, San Diego | February 18, 2008 1:06 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 13:06
Look He may have smoked the crack and thats bad enough. But getting his pole smoked by a dude when he got a hottie like Michele at home. Sorry I highly doubt it and I don't really like him.
9. Posted by achtung | February 18, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 14:11
I smoked crack and engaged in a three-way just last week with Obama and Clinton. Will someone pay me $20K to take a polygraph?
And relax, bacaangel, the reason this is Obama is because no one would pay anything for Clinton, they would all just assume it was true. This guy is as much an agent of the Clinton campaign as that nut heckler in Ohio the other day...
10. Posted by George | February 18, 2008 2:11 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 14:11
was an agent of the Obama campaign!
11. Posted by George | February 18, 2008 2:13 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 14:13
I listened to the Larry Sinclair interview from yesterday at blogtalkradio. The strangest thing he said was; he's not going to release any physical or factual evidence (like receipts, etc) because of how the story is being twisted by the blogosphere.
This is the first indication to me that he is crazy and might be lying. His not releasing anything factual is WHY there is speculation. He could stop all the chaotic speculation, and probably the threats, by revealing the very information he doesn't want to.
That's crazy.
He could've said it is being litigated or something else that would've made sense. Now it just smacks of being made up with no physical proof.
12. Posted by Laurie Loo | February 18, 2008 6:42 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 18:42
Now it just smacks of being made up with no physical proof.
It always did. The guy's looking for attention, and he'll string people along as long as they give it to him.
Suckers.
13. Posted by mantis | February 18, 2008 8:29 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 20:29
"he's not going to release any physical or factual evidence (like receipts, etc) because of how the story is being twisted by the blogosphere."
Sinclair has stated that he lots of physical proof (credit card receipts, and I'm not sure what else) that he is willing to turn over to reporters. In the interview he said he's not willing to turn it over to bloggers because of how the story is being twisted by bloggers, etc.
14. Posted by Lee Ward
| February 18, 2008 10:22 PM
Posted on February 18, 2008 22:22
Physical proofs after almost 10 years and pursue this issue now that he is running for president, that is very incovenient. There's also that possibility that in some degree, a pocket of white people will never accept a black person to be their leader. I came acrossed few insulting and degrading blogs referenced to what I just mentioned.
15. Posted by stclaire, San Diego | February 19, 2008 7:03 AM
Posted on February 19, 2008 07:03
A polygraph test is highly reliable but not admissible as evidence in court. If they were unreliable cops wouldn't ask spouses of homicide victims to take them to rule them out as suspects. If the guy takes the test and passes next Tuesday I will believe him especially if Obama refuses to take one to prove his innocence. If he proves to be a liar he should be taken out and shot after we waterboard him to find out who really put him up to it.
16. Posted by Dave | February 19, 2008 11:06 PM
Posted on February 19, 2008 23:06
,,,after we waterboard him to find out who really put him up to it.
I like the way you think, Dave. I don't believe that anyone put him up to it, however. The downside is too great if it was traced back to them.
17. Posted by Lee Ward
| February 19, 2008 11:13 PM
Posted on February 19, 2008 23:13
It is mighty funny how all this came to light now! But if it is true I wud have to think long and hard about voting for Hillary with all the Clintons shady past and and failures and disappointing behavior during B. Clintons days as our supposed leader! I certainly would not vote for this Mcain character. I think all this reafirms alot of peoples beliefs you can't trust politicians! I vote 4 no one!
18. Posted by mama bear | February 19, 2008 11:58 PM
Posted on February 19, 2008 23:58
I am not saying whether I believe these allegations or true or not. I did want to point out that while Gateway Towers does include a senior center (154 rooms)the towers also have apartments for rent.
http://www.mzr.com/edu/comm/rentals.htm
http://duluth.minnesotawebpage.com/communityinfo/view/Apartments/
19. Posted by bob | February 20, 2008 5:20 AM
Posted on February 20, 2008 05:20
Well wat ya kno doesn't matter what scandal is out there,the American people still want obama over Hilarious or the control freak Mcain.
20. Posted by Mama Bear | February 20, 2008 6:53 PM
Posted on February 20, 2008 18:53
Gee, let's ask Tucker Carlson and John Fund - hardly standard-bearers for the liberal media - since they were both falsely acccused of sexual improriety by two DIFFERENT crazy people. Look it up.
Type in either one of their names and the word "rape" into Google and you'll see it for yourself.
Any loon can make a charge against someone.
As Carlson said, it used to be that when a sex scandal broke, if the actual charge wasn't true, at least something was - the candidate or person accused did something sexual.
Then he was accused of rape in Louisville by some woman. He spent thousands of dollars not only proving he wasn't there at the time of the alleged rape - but also that he had never been to Louisville in this entire life!!!!
Perhaps the standard of accuracy in a major media-story should be a little higher than a self-recorded You Tube video, a self-respresented case filed in Federal Court (which would accept my lawsuit against the moon for shining too bright - if I had the filing fee) and interviews by people who's blogs make Oliver Stone movies look like recorded bits of actual history.
Come on!
21. Posted by Russell Tupper | February 21, 2008 11:29 AM
Posted on February 21, 2008 11:29
So what now Larry Sinclair? Results are in...see whitehouse.com.
Pathetic liar!
22. Posted by stclaire, San Diego | February 24, 2008 8:33 PM
Posted on February 24, 2008 20:33
I believe Sinclair. The more I see Obama the more I see how he is somewhat effeminate. Makes sense, his wife strikes me as a ball buster. There are a lot more black men invloved in the "down low" than most people would think. These guys don't see themselves as gay, they just think they're cool. Like these black guys you see with ear rings on both ears.
23. Posted by teresa | February 28, 2008 1:13 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 13:13
I HAVE ALWAYS HEARD "WHERE THERE IS SMOKE THERE
IS FIRE". IF THERE IS NO TRUTH TO THIS STORY,
WHY DO WE NOT HEAR FROM THE MEDIA? THE ANSWER-
REPUBLICANS WANT HIM FOR THE DEMOCRAT NOMINEE
BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO GO UP AGAINST HILLARY BECAUSE SHE WOULD BEAT MCCAIN, OBAMA
WON'T.YES!!! I BELEIVE THE STORY. ARE ANY OF THE NEWS MEDIA MAN (WOMAN) ENOUGH TO REPORT ON
THIS---- I THINK NOT,BUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
DESERVE TO KNOW--- TRUE OR FALSE, SOMEONE IS
KEEPING IT HUSH-HUSH. ARE THEY AFRID?
24. Posted by FAYE | February 28, 2008 5:29 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 17:29
The media has a pretty crumby record these days of reporting fully on the issues and matters that ARE real.
and now that Sinclair's polygraph shows that he wasn't truthful, you expect them to report that?
Why?
25. Posted by Lee Ward
| February 28, 2008 6:17 PM
Posted on February 28, 2008 18:17
teresa--
...and YOU know these things are factual about "black men" HOW?...
26. Posted by Sfish | February 29, 2008 9:06 AM
Posted on February 29, 2008 09:06
Hillary Clinton is behind all of this. It's been nothing but dirt and lies since the day she realized America is not interested in being led by a spineless witch.
27. Posted by Hickwoman | February 29, 2008 5:04 PM
Posted on February 29, 2008 17:04
How is this different from the bogus letter that Dan Rather reported on about President Bush? The answer - The liberal media is not jumping all over this even though there is no evidance.
I also like the bit about Obama's camp blaming Clinton. He probably thinks that the Hillary is in charge of everything evil. Next the Obamanation will say that Hillary is charge of the VRWC.
28. Posted by Dacques | March 5, 2008 5:01 PM
Posted on March 5, 2008 17:01
Did he ever take the test? What happened?
29. Posted by yourstruly | March 10, 2008 11:18 PM
Posted on March 10, 2008 23:18
He failed two lie detector tests but made lots of money! This clearly a put up job, he's rehearsed and not even remotely believable. Someone is hoping to put doubts about Obamas drug use at a crucial time in the primaries. I have my own suspicions but it's interesting the BJ was included in the story
30. Posted by Jeannie | April 14, 2008 2:46 AM
Posted on April 14, 2008 02:46