New Details Emerge In Secret Service Privilege Dispute

WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, May 19) -- Newly released court documents show that within a week after the Monica Lewinsky investigation became public in January, the Secret Service told Independent Counsel Ken Starr's office that forcing its agents to testify about what they saw while near President Bill Clinton could reduce future presidents' security.

A grand jury is investigating reports that Clinton had a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, a former White House intern, and encouraged her to lie about it under oath. Clinton has denied both accusations.

Filings by Starr's office released Tuesday indicate that on Jan. 27, "the Secret Service expressed the view that interviews of Secret Service personnel about their observations while in close proximity to the president would undermine a principle of confidentiality."

The Secret Service "maintained that disclosure of these observations could potentially lead present and future presidents to distance themselves from Secret Service personnel while engaging in illegal or embarrassing acts," the filings say.

Judge Norma Holloway Johnson is considering whether Secret Service agents should be compelled to testify in Starr's investigation. The Clinton Administration says they should not because of a "protective function privilege," while Starr argues no special privilege exists to exempt the agents from aiding in a criminal investigation.

The court papers were censored to exclude any details of what evidence Secret Service agents might provide. But they do shed some light on the privilege dispute, which has largely played itself out in a series of closed court hearings. There was one open session on May 14.

In a related development, John Hilley, the former head of the White House legislative affairs office, appeared for testimony before the grand jury.

Prosecutors may have wanted to know what Hilley knew about Ms. Lewinsky's work in his office before she was transferred to a job at the Pentagon. It was Hilley's first appearance before the panel.

Tuesday, May 19, 1998

• Tobacco Debate Focuses On Lawyers' Fees
• Arkansas, Pennsylvania And Oregon Hold Primaries
• Bipartisan Commission Proposes Social Security Rescue Plan
• New Details Emerge In Secret Service Privilege Dispute
• Gingrich Wants Clinton To Delay China Trip

The 'Inside Politics' Interview:
• Sen. Orrin Hatch