WASHINGTON (AP) — Monica Lewinsky has been given blanket immunity in exchange for testimony in Kenneth Starr’s six-month investigation of her relationship with President Clinton, Lewinsky’s attorneys said today.
Lewinsky’s mother, Marcia Lewis, was granted the same level of protection from prosecution, said her attorney, Billy Martin. The mother had frequent telephone conversations with her daughter about Lewinsky’s relationship with Clinton, according to 20 hours of tape recordings between Lewinsky and former friend Linda Tripp.
After talking to prosecutors for five hours in New York on Monday, Lewinsky has agreed to testify that she had a sexual relationship with the president, legal sources said.
Ms. Lewinsky’s account also includes information relevant to Starr’s probe of possible obstruction of justice by Clinton and his associates in Paula Jones’ sexual harassment case against the president, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity. But she did not say Clinton asked her to lie, the sources said.
Transactional immunity means that Ms. Lewinsky will not be prosecuted for any testimony that she gives to Starr’s office regarding matters under investigation. It is the most protective type of immunity that can be granted to a witness.