Lewinsky Immunity Claim Is Rejected

A federal appeals court rejected Monica S. Lewinsky’s claim that she has an immunity deal with prosecutors, clearing the final hurdle for independent counsel Kenneth W. Starr to either obtain her testimony about an alleged sexual affair with President Clinton or seek her indictment. Lewinsky had contested a lower court’s decision that she does not have a legally binding immunity agreement with Starr that shields her from prosecution in exchange for her testimony. But a three-judge panel dismissed that claim, saying an appellate court review of issues in a criminal case can occur only after conviction and sentencing. Starr’s investigation of the president has been slowed considerably by his inability to obtain Lewinsky’s testimony. Legal experts said there is virtually no chance Lewinsky would succeed in convincing the Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the appeals court’s ruling.