Sue Hartigan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
CBS) The Secret Service is
ending its cooperation with
Ken Starr's investigation,
CBS News Senior White
House Correspondent Scott
Pelley reports.
Over the last several weeks in
an informal agreement, Secret
Service agents have talked to
Starr's prosecutors about White House procedures and
record keeping.
Now Starr wants to go beyond that and question agents
about whether they saw the president with Monica
Lewinsky.
Prosecutors have named a half dozen
agents they want to talk to. The
service argues that forcing the agents
to testify will break a bond of trust that's essential to
protecting the president. Negotiations have reached an
impasse.
One source says if Starr subpoenas the agents now, "The
Secret Service will see him in court."
This new development is in addition to legal challenges
which
are currently delaying key decisions by Starr, including
whether to refer evidence against President Clinton to the
House of Representatives.
Prosecutors investigating possible obstruction of justice in
both fraudulent Arkansas land deals and the Monica
Lewinsky matter have begun assembling material for possible
submission to the House, lawyers familiar with Starr's
investigation said.
Under the law, if Starr finds "substantial and credible
information ... that may constitute grounds for an
impeachment," he must turn it over to the House. A House
Judiciary Committee official said the prosecutor has not had
any discussions with the panel.
"We are proceeding expeditiously in all phases of the
investigation, including the litigation necessary to
gather and assess all relevant facts," Starr said.
One individual, speaking on grounds of anonymity, said any
decision on sending material to the House may be delayed
indefinitely by court challenges blocking Starr's access to
some testimony from key witnesses, such as presidential
adviser Bruce Lindsey.
--
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1. Don't tell people everything you know.
2.
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