Clinton mourns loss of impeachment defender Ruff

From White House Producer Timothy McCaughan

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Clinton said Monday he was "deeply saddened" by the death of former White House counsel Charles Ruff, who led his defense during the Senate impeachment trial in 1999.

Charles Ruff

Ruff was 61. His wife discovered his body at their home Sunday evening. An autopsy will be performed, police said Monday.

A longtime Washington lawyer, Ruff served as the president's chief defender during the Monica Lewinsky scandal and subsequent impeachment. In a written statement, Clinton said he and first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton were "deeply saddened" by news of his death.

"All of us at the White House admired Chuck for the power of his advocacy, the wisdom of his judgement and the strength of his leadership," Clinton said.

"We loved him for his generous spirit and his keen wit, which he used to find humor in even the most challenging circumstances," he said, adding, "We will miss his counsel and friendship deeply."

The statement was issued while the first family was en route back to Washington following the president's trip to Vietnam. Clinton also spoke to Ruff's wife, Sue, after being told of his former counsel's death, White House officials said.

Ruff mounted a strong defense of Clinton during the impeachment trial, arguing the Republican-led impeachment proceeding was "more focused on retribution, more designed to achieve partisan ends" than the good of the country.

Clinton arrived at the White House at 5:30 a.m. EST and did not answer questions from reporters about Ruff's death.

Ruff served as Clinton's White House counsel from 1997 to 1999, following a career as a Watergate special prosecutor, U.S. attorney and in private practice with the prominent Washington law firm of Covington and Burling. He returned to public office in 1995, working as counsel for the District of Columbia, before becoming White House counsel.