How To Solve a Problem Like Monica

By Tony Karon Friday, May 01, 1998

WASHINGTON: The Ken-and-Monica game of truth or dare got a lot rougher for both parties yesterday with Judge Norma Holloway Johnson's decision to deny Lewinsky immunity. Although Lewinsky's attorneys have vowed to appeal, legal experts believe she has no grounds until she's actually appeared before Starr's grand jury and been found in contempt. "That would mean she may have to sit in jail pending the appeal," says TIME correspondent Viveca Novak.

Starr's options, too, all carry a risk:

He could indict Lewinsky for perjury in the Paula Jones case. "He wouldn't get much public sympathy," says Novak, "and legal experts believe a D.C. jury won't be impressed."

He could subpoena Lewinsky, granting her limited immunity. "The danger there is that, if she testifies, her testimony is not what he expected; that it's of no use to him. He might feel he has enough evidence to press a perjury case at that point."

He could resume immunity negotiations with Lewinsky's lawyers, in which they 'proffer' Starr a peek at their client's testimony. "There Starr runs the risk of the whole thing falling apart amid criticism that he's pressuring Monica to say what he wants to hear," says Novak.

The bottom line, says Novak, is that "Starr needs Monica's testimony. After all, she's the linchpin of his entire case."