Word: crispen
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Questions about the First Lady's practice initially came up in 1982, and she responded by promising not to accept any more free outfits. But when TIME reported in 1988 that Mrs. Reagan had continued to borrow dresses for six more ! years, press secretary Elaine Crispen explained that she "set her own little rule, and she broke her own little rule...
...little rule, and she broke her own little rule." With that quip, Nancy Reagan's press secretary Elaine Crispen tried to defuse the controversy that erupted last week after TIME reported that the First Lady had failed to disclose the borrowing of lavish designer outfits, a practice she had promised to stop six years ago. By week's end the question of whether borrowed outfits were hanging in the First Lady's closet had been eclipsed by the White House's gyrating attempts to explain away the affair...
When first asked about the matter two weeks ago, Mrs. Reagan stated flatly through Crispen that she had purchased every item she acquired during the past six years. After TIME's story appeared, Crispen admitted that the First Lady had continued to borrow clothes, but claimed they had all been returned. Then Crispen said that while some dresses had been borrowed, others had been received as gifts from "old friends" and hence did not have to be disclosed. Finally, Crispen declared that when the President's term expires, Mrs. Reagan will decide which dresses to keep and which to return...
Ronald Winston, son of the founder, last week did not deny these borrowings but insisted that there was "no ongoing program" of loans to Mrs. Reagan. Crispen also said there was "no ongoing program" of jewelry loans, contending that 1981 was the last occasion of such a loan to Mrs. Reagan...
Blass and Adolfo would not comment on their arrangements with Mrs. Reagan. Beyond Crispen's statements, White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater refused any further comment on the matter...