Lewinsky's New Lawyers Reach Out To Starr
New immunity negotiations are possible; Blumenthal set to testify Thursday
WASHINGTON (AllPolitics, June 3) -- Monica Lewinsky's new lawyers already have contacted Independent Counsel Ken Starr's office in a possible prelude to new immunity negotiations.
Shortly before Tuesday's announcement about the shakeup in Lewinsky's defense team, her new attorneys, Plato Cacheris and Jacob Stein, paid a courtesy call to Starr's office. Sources described it as a mutually satisfying meeting.
The president's lawyers and advisers are nervous about the change in Lewinsky's team, because the contacts with Starr could lead to a deal in exchange for Lewinsky's testimony, which could be damaging to President Bill Clinton.
Starr is investigating allegations that Clinton lied under oath about whether he had a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, a former White House intern, and also encouraged Lewinsky to lie under oath. Clinton has denied having sexual relations with Lewinsky or encouraging anyone to lie.
Meanwhile, White House top communications aide Sidney Blumenthal is scheduled to appear before the Lewinsky grand jury Thursday.
Blumenthal will return after refusing Feb. 24 to answer some questions about the advice he gave first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, citing executive privilege.
Now that the White House has dropped its executive privilege claim, Starr has recalled Blumenthal on the first day that the grand jury meets since the White House relented.
Blumenthal has already released a statement saying he will answer all questions.
Still at issue is the testimony of Bruce Lindsey, a close Clinton confidant and deputy White House counsel. The White House claims Lindsey is covered by attorney-client privilege and should not be compelled to testify.
Ginsburg's still talking
Lewinsky's former attorney, Bill Ginsburg, has pledged to continue to speak out against what he calls Starr's "oppressive nature and an Office of Independent Counsel run amok." Ginsburg was replaced as Lewinsky's counsel on Tuesday.
In a telephone interview Wednesday with CNN, Ginsburg claimed he had initiated the decision for Lewinsky to replace him with new attorneys.
Forcefully denying he had been fired, Ginsburg reiterated the decision was "by mutual agreement."
"I initiated this move seven to 10 days ago," he said. "I told Monica it was in her best interest. A lawyer always does what's in his client's best interest. We mutually agreed replacing me with Washington inside lawyers made the most sense."
Ginsburg said he was not involved in selecting the new lawyers, Plato Cacheris and Jacob Stein. He said he did not know in advance that the Lewinsky family had selected the two attorneys.
CNN's Bob Franken and Wolf Blitzer contributed to this report.
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