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Lewinsky book may force investigation of Starr's officeBy Pierre Thomas/CNN
March 5, 1999 WASHINGTON (March 5) -- Monica Lewinsky's new book may put even more pressure on the Justice Department to launch an investigation of Independent Counsel Ken Starr's office. Lewinsky's angry account of her initial encounter with Starr's prosecutors lays out in vivid detail what she suggests was unethical behavior by the investigators. Criminal defense attorney Roy Black said, "I think we need an independent investigation to assure ourselves that justice was not being abused in this case." Barbara Nicastro, a former federal prosecutor, said, "I think that it's worth investigating. I don't know whether the end result will be that there is enough to show the 'cause' that has to be found for an independent counsel to be removed." Starr's supporters flatly deny Lewinsky was mistreated, but in Lewinsky's book "Monica's Story," released Thursday, the encounter is portrayed as "Terror in Room 1012." On January 16, 1998, Lewinsky was interrogated by FBI agents and Starr's prosecutors on the 10th floor of a suburban Washington hotel. The book claims the investigators threatened Lewinsky, offering her a reduced sentence or immunity from prosecution if only she would cooperate. The book says, "Cooperation was the key. Time and again they emphasized that, if Monica did as they asked, they would not file criminal charges against her." At the time of the alleged offers Lewinsky had no attorney present. Starr's critics say that could be a violation of Justice Department guidelines. "I mean there's this whole element of extortion, almost blackmail involved in this confrontation at the hotel," Black said. But some legal experts say Lewinsky's recollection could be clouded because she was so distraught at the time. "When others are in that state of mind, their perceptions and their ability to determine exactly what is happening sometimes get distorted," Nicastro said. Jackie Bennett, a top attorney in Starr's office, told CNN there was nothing inappropriate in their dealings with Lewinsky. Still, according to sources, Attorney General Janet Reno has notified Starr that she intends to investigate these and other allegations of misconduct. A conservative legal foundation has challenged Reno's authority to investigate the independent counsel. Reno and Starr are expected to respond in court Monday. |
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MORE STORIES:Friday, March 5, 1999
• Lewinsky book may force investigation of Starr's office • Poll: Bush tops Gore in hypothetical 2000 race • Clinton wishes Lewinsky well • Transcript: Clinton comments on Lewinsky book deal • Poll: Public remains unsympathetic to Lewinsky • Paula Jones' lawyers get lion's share of $850,000 settlement • Clinton to nominate civil rights chief for Senate confirmation • Sen. Connie Mack won't seek re-election • 'Mob Mouthpiece' enters Las Vegas mayoral race • Biography on Gore details struggles during impeachment • Three-story Lichtenstein sculpture to go up in D.C. • Democrats boycott Alabama Senate • Idea for school flexibility tangled in competing agendas • DeLay says he did not commit perjury in deposition • Democrats hit GOP plan for fiscal 2000 budget • Federal judge throws out Louisiana law on late-term abortion • Monica's career may benefit from scandal • New Hampshire takes step toward income tax • Cohen's wife interviews Clinton • Tripp demands apology from Moran | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
