Baird was Clinton's first unsuccessful nominee for United States Attorney General in 1993. She withdrew her name from consideration when it was learned that she had informed Clinton that she and her husband had hired illegal immigrants to serve as her chauffeur and nanny and also not paid their Social Security taxes. Her husband had filed sponsorship papers at the time and sought the advice of counsel on paying taxes. She paid $2900 in fines for the infractions. The matter, dubbed "Nannygate", attracted intense public attention, and the question "Do you have a Zoë Baird problem?" became frequently asked of other political appointees, including subsequent candidates for attorney general.