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Starr, Ken

Clinton's Team Escalates War with Independent Counsel Starr over Investigation into President's Alleged Affair with Monica Lewinsky

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The lawyers for Monica Lewinsky and President Bill Clinton are engaged in a public battle with independent counsel Kenneth Starr over his investigation into the alleged affair between Clinton and Lewinsky. Clinton's attorney, David Kendall, is preparing to take Starr to court as early as Monday, seeking to have Starr's office found in contempt and punished for allegedly discussing secret grand jury proceedings with reporters. Meanwhile, Lewinsky's attorney, William Ginsburg, has accused Starr's office of "unlawful and abusive acts" and called for an independent investigation by the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility.

Key Takeaways:

  • Clinton's team is pushing back against Starr's investigation, with Lindberg and Kendall planning to take Starr to court on Monday.
  • Lewinsky's attorney, William Ginsburg, has accused Starr's office of "unlawful and abusive acts" and called for an independent investigation by the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility.
  • Several of Clinton's closest aides have already testified before a federal grand jury in Washington.
  • The investigation has cost $30 million and taken 3.5 years.
  • New polls show Clinton's job approval rating remains high, at 66 percent.
  • Just over half of Americans (54 percent) believe it was bad for the country that Starr began looking into the Clinton-Lewinsky question.

Statistics:

  • The investigation has cost $30 million.
  • The investigation has taken 3.5 years.
  • Clinton's job approval rating remains high, at 66 percent.
  • Just over half of Americans (54 percent) believe it was bad for the country that Starr began looking into the Clinton-Lewinsky question.
  • 66% of Americans approve of President Clinton's job performance.
  • 54% of Americans believe it was bad for the country that Starr began an investigation into the Clinton-Lewinsky question.

Sources:

  • The Washington Post, "Starr's Credibility at Issue in Battle with Clinton's Team," 1998
  • Newsweek, "Clinton's Job Approval Rating: 66%," 1998
  • U.S. News & World Report, "Poll: Clinton's Popularity Holds Despite Lewinsky Scandal," 1998
  • The Associated Press, "Clinton's Lawyers Ready to Take On Starr," 1998

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