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Lewinsky, Monica

Whitewater Prosecutor Kenneth Starr Summons Linda Tripp Back to Grand Jury Amid New Evidence

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Prosecutor Kenneth Starr summoned key witness Linda Tripp back to the grand jury after new information emerged about her attempts to cut off her friendship with Monica Lewinsky. Tripp had initially begun testifying earlier in the week, and a source close to her revealed that she had tried several times in 1997 to end her friendship with Lewinsky, who had been discussing a sexual affair with President Bill Clinton. Tripp's efforts to distance herself from Lewinsky came after Lewinsky's frequent calls and visits to discuss the alleged affair, with Tripp writing in an email to Lewinsky on October 27, 1997, "Please give me a break; I can't take this." Tripp's e-mail messages, along with other evidence, are now in the possession of Starr's office.

Key Takeaways:

  • Linda Tripp had attempted to cut off her friendship with Monica Lewinsky multiple times in 1997, citing the emotional burden of their conversations.
  • Tripp's e-mail messages, including a message on October 27, 1997, expressing her desire for Lewinsky to stop contacting her, are now in the possession of Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr.
  • Tripp's efforts to distance herself from Lewinsky came after Lewinsky began discussing a sexual affair with President Bill Clinton.
  • Starr's office is investigating whether Clinton and Lewinsky lied under oath in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit when they denied an affair.
  • Starr is also examining whether Clinton and others may have tried to obstruct the Whitewater investigation.

Statistics:

  • 1997: The year in which Tripp attempted to cut off her friendship with Lewinsky multiple times.
  • October 27, 1997: The date on which Tripp wrote to Lewinsky, "Please give me a break; I can't take this."
  • Twice: The number of times Tripp wrote to Lewinsky expressing her frustration with their conversations.
  • Two: The number of other district court rulings that Starr's office claims disagreed with Judge Robertson's conclusions on the jurisdiction matter.
  • 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals: The appeals court that ruled on the immunity issue and disagreed with Starr's office.

Sources:

  • "Byline: MARGASAK L HANDED" (Associated Press)

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