White House Lawyers Clash with Prosecutors Over Executive Privilege in Lewinsky Investigation

Strategic Insights -

White House advisers and prosecutors clashed Thursday in a federal courtroom over whether executive privilege shields top aides from testifying in the Monica Lewinsky investigation. Presidential adviser Bruce Lindsey, accompanied by a team of 10 lawyers, appeared before U.S. Dist. Judge Norma Holloway Johnson for a secret hearing, with the two sides wrangling over the scope of Lindsey's testimony. The hearing came as President Clinton's father, Marc Rich, broke his silence, speaking publicly for the first time to defend his daughter against allegations that she fabricated her relationship with the President.

Key Takeaways:

  • The White House has asserted that many of Lindsey's discussions with the President are confidential communications covered by both the lawyer-client privilege and executive privilege.
  • Prosecutors from the office of independent counsel Kenneth Starr have sought Lindsey's testimony for several reasons, including his close relationship with the President and his involvement in preparing the President's defense in the Paula Jones lawsuit.
  • The White House has retained private lawyer W. Neil Eggleston to make privilege arguments, as Attorney General Janet Reno decided not to intervene in the case.
  • President Clinton's father, Marc Rich, defended his daughter against allegations that she fabricated her relationship with the President.
  • The White House has invoked executive privilege to protect internal White House conversations from prying prosecutors and congressional committees.
  • Lindsey's name was mentioned by Lewinsky in some of her conversations that were secretly recorded by colleague Linda Tripp.

Statistics:

  • 10 lawyers accompanied Bruce Lindsey to the secret hearing
  • 1 U.S. District Judge, Norma Holloway Johnson, presided over the hearing
  • 1 private lawyer, W. Neil Eggleston, was retained by the White House to make privilege arguments
  • The White House has sought to invoke executive privilege 3 times in the case

Sources:

  • The Los Angeles Times News Service WASHINGTON --
  • AP News
  • CPA news