Contradictions in Vernon E. Jordan Jr.'s Grand-Jury Testimony Undermine Monika Lewinsky's Sworn Version of Events

Strategic Insights -

Monica Lewinsky and Vernon E. Jordan Jr., a lawyer and longtime friend of President Clinton, have provided conflicting accounts of their relationship and key events surrounding the Paula Jones sexual misconduct lawsuit. The discrepancies, which focus on whether Mr. Jordan knew of the affair and helped Miss Lewinsky prepare a false affidavit, will be the focus of inquiry today by GOP House prosecutor Rep. Asa Hutchinson during a daylong deposition.

Key Takeaways:

  • Vernon E. Jordan Jr. testified five times before the grand jury, but never was recalled after President Clinton and Miss Lewinsky testified in August 1998.
  • Miss Lewinsky testified that Mr. Jordan helped her land a job in New York and denied knowing of the president's affair, despite having knowledge of their relationship.
  • In grand-jury testimony, Mr. Jordan claimed he was oblivious to the affair and merely helped Miss Lewinsky search for work, as he had done for many others.
  • A central disagreement involves Miss Lewinsky's sworn denial in a Paula Jones case affidavit, which she claims Mr. Jordan reviewed before it was signed in early January 1998.
  • Investigative Counsel Kenneth W. Starr's report left unanswered questions concerning Mr. Jordan's role, including whether his investigation is finished and whether he has publicly cleared Mr. Jordan.
  • Mr. Jordan was quoted as telling Miss Lewinsky, "Well, maybe you two will have an affair when he's out of office," after she recanted her denials and admitted to him she had a physically intimate relationship with the president.
  • Miss Lewinsky testified that she refused FBI requests to wear a hidden microphone during a visit to Mr. Jordan's office, citing concerns about how she would warn him if something went wrong.
  • Miss Lewinsky wrote in a proffer seeking immunity that Mr. Jordan instructed her to drop off a copy of her affidavit at his office and discussed changes over the phone.
  • Mr. Jordan testified that both he and the president knew Miss Lewinsky planned to execute an affidavit denying a sexual relationship, despite his initial denials of knowing about the affair.

Statistics:

  • 5: The number of times Vernon E. Jordan Jr. testified before the grand jury.
  • 1997-1998: The time period when Miss Lewinsky and President Clinton tried to conceal their relationship from the Paula Jones lawyers.
  • 3: The days Mr. Jordan claimed he didn't learn about the planned affidavit denying a sexual relationship until Jan. 18, 1998.

Sources:

  • Kenneth W. Starr's Report to Congress, as reported in The New York Times.
  • Monica Lewinsky's grand-jury testimony, as reported in The New York Times.
  • Vernon E. Jordan Jr.'s grand-jury testimony, as reported in The New York Times.
  • Independent Counsel Kenneth W. Starr, The Starr Report (1998).
  • Miss Lewinsky's proffer seeking immunity, as reported in The New York Times.