Appeals court refuses to reverse Lewinsky immunity decision

May 16, 1998
Web posted at: 1:52 p.m. EDT (1752 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A U.S. federal appeals court has refused to reverse Judge Norma Holloway Johnson's decision denying former White House intern Monica Lewinsky immunity from prosecution.

Lewinsky's lawyers, Bill Ginsburg and Nathaniel Speights, had unsuccessfully argued that Independent Counsel Ken Starr had granted Lewinsky immunity in February but Johnson sided with Starr in ruling that that agreement was not binding.

This now sets the stage for Starr to either:

• Bring Lewinsky before the grand jury where she could still refuse to testify by citing her 5th Amendment rights against self-incrimination. If she refuses to testify, she could be held in contempt of court and possibly sent to jail.

• Indict Lewinsky on perjury, encouraging perjury or obstruction of justice charges in connection with her sworn affidavit in the Paula Jones case.

Lewinsky has not been charged with any crime.

Related story:

• Secret Service, Starr Battle Before Judge

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