Jim Guy Tucker, Former Arkansas Governor and Whitewater Figure, Dies at 81

Jim Guy Tucker, a former governor of Arkansas who was caught up in the long-running investigation that unsuccessfully targeted his predecessor as governor, Bill Clinton, died on Thursday in Little Rock, Ark. He was 81.

Tucker's death, at a hospital, was caused by complications of ulcerative colitis, said his daughter Anna Ashton.

The Whitewater investigation, which looked into purportedly fraudulent land deals in northwest Arkansas, was led by a Republican special prosecutor and consumed much of the Clinton presidency. But it wound up netting only secondary players on minor charges.

Mr. Tucker was one of them. He had been among the most promising figures in Arkansas politics and a rival to Mr. Clinton in Arkansas’s Democratic Party. But he was forced to resign as governor in July 1996, after serving less than two years of his term.

Tucker's political career was marked by both promise and controversy. He was elected lieutenant governor in 1978 and governor in 1990. As governor, he focused on education and economic development. However, his administration was also plagued by scandals, including the Whitewater investigation.

In 1996, Tucker was indicted on charges of conspiracy and mail fraud related to the Whitewater deal. He was convicted on one count of mail fraud and sentenced to four years in prison. He served 18 months before being released on parole.

My Journey Through the Whitewater Investigation."

Tucker's death was met with mixed reactions. Some praised him for his work on education and economic development. Others criticized him for his involvement in the Whitewater scandal.

Regardless of one's opinion of Tucker, there is no doubt that he was a significant figure in Arkansas politics. He will be remembered for both his accomplishments and his controversies.