Clinton Impeachment Looms as Jones Case is Dropped

The decision by Judge Susan Webber Wright to dismiss Paula Jones' sex harassment case against President Clinton may be appealed, and the special prosecutor's investigation into the matter will continue. The Jones case is unlikely to be the catalyst for Clinton's impeachment, but it has raised questions about the president's integrity and his relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky. As the investigation unfolds, Congress is preparing for an impeachment report and the possibility of a Senate trial.

Key Takeaways:

The Jones' lawyers have 30 days to appeal Wright's ruling to the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis, and they have indicated that they will do so.
Jones has filed three civil charges against Clinton, and the appeals court could conceivably decide to send one of them back for trial while upholding Wright's dismissal of the others.
The special prosecutor, Ken Starr, is investigating whether Clinton lied under oath or urged others to lie to Jones' lawyers about his alleged sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky.
Even if Jones' case collapses, a cover-up could lead to charges against Clinton.
Starr is also investigating the Clintons' business dealings in Arkansas.
The House of Representatives must weigh the evidence and vote on whether to impeach Clinton, and the Senate would then conduct a trial if the House agrees.
Most analysts believe Congress would be reluctant to act unless Democratic lawmakers and a cross-section of the public demand it.

Statistics:

30 days: the amount of time Jones' lawyers have to appeal Wright's ruling to the Eighth Circuit in St. Louis.
3: the number of civil charges Jones has filed against Clinton.
2: the number of Jones' complaints that lawyers following the case say are weak.
1: the charge that Jones filed against Clinton alleging that the alleged sexual harassment violated her civil rights, which may be harder to dismiss.

Sources:

c) 1998, Knight Ridder/Tribune Information Services.