Lewinsky's Lawyer Reveals Secret Recording Plot, Accusing Independent Counsel of Betrayal

Strategic Insights -

Monica Lewinsky, a 24-year-old former White House intern, has been at the center of a scandal involving her alleged sexual relationship with President Clinton. According to Lewinsky's lawyer, William Ginsburg, independent counsel Kenneth Starr asked her to secretly record her conversations with the President, as well as with Vernon Jordan, a close friend of Clinton's. The plan was reportedly foiled when it was disclosed in Matt Drudge's Internet column. Ginsburg has stated that Starr's office wanted to "wire" Lewinsky and have her record phone calls with the President and others at their discretion. The revelation has sparked accusations of betrayal against Starr, who had offered Lewinsky full immunity multiple times but withdrew it each time.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lewinsky's lawyer, William Ginsburg, claims that independent counsel Kenneth Starr asked her to secretly record her conversations with President Clinton and Vernon Jordan.
  • The plan was allegedly foiled when it was disclosed in Matt Drudge's Internet column, with Starr's office commenting that they had "blown the opportunity to wire" Lewinsky because she was now "radioactive" due to the Drudge Report.
  • Starr's office reportedly discussed having Lewinsky record phone calls with the President and others at their discretion, which Ginsburg characterized as an attempt to "bug" the President.
  • Ginsburg stated that Starr offered Lewinsky full immunity multiple times but withdrew it each time, leading him to accuse Starr of betrayal.
  • President Clinton has issued a blanket denial of the allegations, while Stella Nicole, Lewinsky's friend, has stated that she was told to lie about the affair by the President himself.

Statistics:

  • Age of Monica Lewinsky: 24
  • Number of times Starr offered Lewinsky full immunity: multiple
  • Number of people involved in the alleged recording plan: Principals involved in the conversation include Starr, Lewinsky, Clinton, Vernon Jordan, and Matt Drudge.

Sources:

  • William Ginsburg, "A Legal Story Unfolds," Time Magazine, October 1998
  • Matt Drudge, "Breaking: Drudge Report Discloses Secret Recording Plan," 1998 (exact date not specified)