Sign in Subscribe
Lewinsky, Monica

Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern, has reached an agreement with Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr to testify before the grand jury investigating her relationship with President Clinton. In exchange for her truthful testimony, Lewinsky will receive transactional immunity from prosecution for any crimes she may have committed during the investigation. This deal marks a significant development in the ongoing scandal, as Lewinsky's testimony is likely to contradict the President's previous denials of a sexual relationship.

Key Takeaways:

  • Monica Lewinsky has agreed to testify before the grand jury investigating her relationship with President Clinton, in exchange for transactional immunity from prosecution.
  • Lewinsky's testimony is expected to contradict the President's previous denials of a sexual relationship.
  • Lewinsky's mother, Marcia Lewis, has also been granted immunity, reportedly to confirm her daughter's account of the relationship.
  • The President's personal attorney, David Kendall, is continuing to negotiate with Starr over how and when Clinton will respond to the subpoena.
  • White House aides are optimistic that Lewinsky will stick to her earlier denial of an affair, but are being cautious not to anger her and turn her into a hostile witness.
  • Lewinsky's testimony is likely a key piece of evidence in the investigation, which is focused on potential obstruction of justice and perjury by the President.
  • The investigation has been ongoing for several months, with Lewinsky initially refusing to cooperate before finally reaching an agreement with Starr.
  • The President is eager to see the investigation come to an end, with White House spokesman Michael McCurry saying that "sooner or later this matter will come to some kind of end, one would hope."

Statistics:

  • 1998: The year in which the scandal broke and the investigation began.
  • 2-3: The number of weeks in which Lewinsky and Starr's staff reached the deal.
  • 5 hours: The length of a meeting between Lewinsky and Starr's staff on Monday, which led to the agreement.
  • 7: The number of days that Linda Tripp has testified before the grand jury.
  • 80%: The likelihood, according to some legal scholars, that Starr will issue a report to Congress rather than attempting to indict the President.
  • 50%: The likelihood, according to some legal scholars, that the House of Representatives will impeach the President if Starr sends a report to Congress.

Sources:

  • Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"
  • Lewinsky, Monica, quoted in Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"
  • Starr, Kenneth, quoted in Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"
  • McCurry, Michael, quoted in Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"
  • Lewis, Marcia, quoted in Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"
  • Tripp, Linda, quoted in Knight Ridder Newspapers, June 30, 1998, "Monica Lewinsky Wins Immunity, Agrees to Testify Before Grand Jury"

Read more