Ellen Goldberg

Lucianne Goldberg, born Lucianne Steinberger, had a multifaceted career that included roles in public relations, conservative activism, and literary representation. She began her professional life in journalism and political campaigns, eventually establishing her own public relations firm. During the 1970s, she co-founded an organization opposing the women's liberation movement and authored a critique of feminism. Goldberg also worked as a spy during the 1972 presidential campaign, gathering information on George McGovern's campaign. Later, she transitioned into literary agency, specializing in what was described as "right-wing, tell-all attack books." Her career took a significant turn when she advised Linda Tripp to record conversations with Monica Lewinsky, a decision that became central to the investigation into President Bill Clinton and his subsequent impeachment. Goldberg herself was a subject of media scrutiny and faced accusations related to her past activities and her role in the Lewinsky scandal.

Born Lucianne Steinberger, she grew up near Washington, D.C., where her father was a physicist and her mother a physiotherapist. After leaving high school at 16, she married and divorced William Cummings. Goldberg began her career at The Washington Post and later worked for Lyndon Johnson's presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee. She also held a position on President Kennedy's Inaugural Committee and claimed to have worked on Kennedy's White House staff, though her name did not appear in official records. She later stated she worked in opposition research and public relations.

In 1963, Goldberg established her own public relations firm. She gained public attention in 1965 for attempting to auction a note from Jackie Kennedy, which led to its return and an IRS audit. After marrying Sidney Goldberg in 1966, she took his name and worked for the Women's News Service. In 1970, she co-founded the "Pussycat League" to oppose the women's liberation movement and co-authored a book critiquing feminism. During the 1972 presidential campaign, she was paid to gather intelligence, including personal details, on George McGovern's campaign, a role that emerged during the Watergate hearings. She also faced accusations of attempting to undermine the Equal Rights Amendment.

Goldberg developed a career as a literary agent, known for representing "right-wing, tell-all attack books." She represented Kitty Kelley and Prince Charles' former valet. In the early 1990s, she promoted books related to the death of Vince Foster and alleged sexual infidelities of President Bill Clinton, though these books were not published. She also represented Mark Fuhrman's book about the O. J. Simpson trial. As an author, Goldberg wrote several novels, including "Friends in High Places" and "Madame Cleo's Girls," and ghostwrote "Washington Wives."

Goldberg played a pivotal role in the Monica Lewinsky scandal when she advised Linda Tripp to secretly record her phone conversations with Lewinsky about her affair with President Bill Clinton. Goldberg provided Tripp with incorrect advice regarding the legality of such recordings in Maryland. The resulting 20 hours of tapes became critical evidence for special prosecutor Kenneth Starr's investigation into Clinton's conduct, ultimately leading to the President's impeachment. Goldberg actively engaged with the media, publicizing the tapes' contents and her role, which she described as a "facilitator." She stated her actions were motivated by a perceived decline in morality and a desire for a "wake-up call" for America.

“They were looking for really dirty stuff”

“Who was sleeping with whom, what the Secret Service men were doing with the stewardesses, who was smoking pot on the plane–that sort of thing. I was told to send it all along.”

“sloppy bookkeeping”

“Linda, buy a tape recorder.”

“the producer and publicist”