Ginsburg Says Starr's Office Source Of Leaks

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, Feb. 7) -- The attorney for Monica Lewinsky is joining the White House in accusing the office of independent counsel Ken Starr of being the source of leaks of secret grand jury testimony.

William Ginsburg says Attorney General Janet Reno, not Starr's office, should investigate the leaks.

In a statement, Ginsburg said, "Mr. Starr is making reckless and inane accusations against others as the source of the leaks and campaign of disinformation, and clearly attempting to evade and avoid the responsibility for his office's unethical, unlawful and abusive acts."

Ginsburg said Starr is "recklessly attributing to everyone but himself and his office conduct he says presents serious ethical and legal violations."

Starr is investigating claims President Bill Clinton had sexual relations with Lewinsky, a former White House intern, and then pressured her to lie about it under oath.

Starr dismissed claims by Clinton's team that he has been part of an unethical smear campaign.

"We try to carry on this investigation in a most professional way," Starr told reporters as he arrived at the newly renamed Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.

David Kendall, Clinton private attorney, blasted Starr Friday in a 15-page letter accusing his office of leaking secret grand jury testimony to reporters and said that he would seek judicial relief, including a contempt of court ruling in federal court.

Starr, who responded only briefly to reporters questions but took time to comply with the wishes of autograph seekers, said: "Charges have been made. We'll look into those charges but let's find out the facts. Let's find out the facts."

He declined to comment on talks to grant Lewinsky immunity from prosecution. "I can't comment on that," Starr said. "There may be litigation. We simply don't know."

Ginsburg reportedly plans to return to Washington from California on Tuesday and take Starr to court.

Ginsburg has threatened to go to court because he contends that Starr offered his client full immunity from prosecution and now wants to renege on the offer.

Clinton repeatedly has denied any wrongdoing but declines to give a detailed defense to refute the charges. During a news conference Friday with British Prime Minister Tony Blair, 10 of the 16 questions dealt with the sex scandal but Clinton sidestepped all of them.

CNN White House correspondent John King contributed to this report.

Saturday February 7, 1998

• Ginsburg Says Starr's Office Source Of Leaks
• Clinton's Lawyer May Seek Sanctions Against Starr Monday
• Lewinsky Van Rear-Ended By Media Car