PAULA JONES . . . FEDS BACK THE BOSS

The Justice Department is backing up President Clinton's attempt to put Paula Corbin Jones' sexual harassment suit on the courts' back burner until his presideny expires. In a brief filed today titled "Statement of Interest of the United States," the Department said presidents generally should not have to defend themselves against private suits based on pre-presidential acts. Whether that holds up in the case of DOJ's current boss, however, is still up to the courts.