Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Did Slick Boink Monica? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Zoltan! who wrote (15929)	6/12/1998 5:26:00 PM
From: Bill	Respond to of 20981

White House defends Lindsey role 5.14 p.m. ET (2115 GMT) June 12, 1998 By Larry Margasak,ÿAssociated Press WASHINGTON (AP) - The Clinton administration contended Friday that presidential aide Bruce Lindsey acted properly when he contacted grand jury witnesses or their attorneys "before and after'' they testified in the Monica Lewinsky investigation. James Kennedy, spokesman for the White House counsel's office, said Lindsey - a deputy counsel - followed a practice that was allowed in past Democratic and Republican administrations. Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr's prosecutors want Lindsey to answer questions before a grand jury about his contacts. The aide has refused, citing the confidentiality between an attorney and a client - in this case, President Clinton. The attorney-client privilege argument is now before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. Chief U.S. District Judge Norma Holloway Johnson has ordered Lindsey to answer the questions, but the White House has appealed. The administration's initial written brief is due Monday. According to The Los Angeles Times, Johnson said in a confidential portion of her ruling: "The court questions the propriety of the president utilizing a government attorney as his personal agent in a personal attorney-client relationship.'' The newspaper said Lindsey contacted the lawyer for retired chief White House steward Michael McGrath; presidential friend Vernon Jordan; and the president's former personal scheduler, D. Stephen Goodin. McGrath and Goodin could have seen Clinton and Ms. Lewinsky together, and Jordan has acknowledged launching a private sector job search for the former intern in addition to finding her an attorney. "It is entirely proper for attorneys to speak with witnesses or their counsel both before and after their testimony in any investigative proceeding,'' Kennedy said. "That is a practice which is universally recognized to be a necessary part of any lawyer's effective representation of a client, and it has been followed by counsel through Republican and Democratic presidents.'' Kennedy added that the White House has informed Starr, the Justice Department and congressional committees that the counsel's office speaks with witnesses and their lawyers. In some cases, the White House also represents the witnesses, although most have hired private lawyers in the Lewinsky case. Starr is investigating whether Clinton and Ms. Lewinsky committed perjury when they denied, in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit, having a sexual affair. He also is investigating whether Clinton, Jordan and perhaps others obstructed justice by asking Ms. Lewinsky to testify falsely and by efforts to find her a job.