Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. letter to M. C. M., April 17, 1998

IERT L. EHRLICH, JR. Congress of tfjc ®niteb States Jjoust of fteprtecntattofS <2ШабЪшд(оп, JDC 20515-2002 April 17, 1998 14101 284-6828 Dear^^^^H Thank you for contacting me regarding your views towards Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr’s investigation of President Bill Clinton. As you know, the Clinton Administration has been rocked in recent months by allegations that the President had a sexual affair with Monica Lewinsky, a 21 -year-old woman who worked as a White House intern at the time the affair allegedly began. More importantly, it is alleged that President Clinton lied under oath when he denied the affair took place during his sworn deposition in the Paula Jones sexual harassment lawsuit, and that the President, along with his close friend and confidant Vernon Jordan, may have encouraged Ms. Lewinsky to lie about the affair during her own deposition in the Jones case. Though media coverage has focused on the more sensational aspects of this story, I am more concerned by the legal issues it raises. Peijury, subornation of perjury, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice are all felonies. Under the Constitution, die President, Vice President, and all civil officers of the United States may be impeached for “treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors.” If there is credible evidence President Clinton committed these serious offenses, the U. S. House of Representatives should exercise its constitutional prerogative and initiate impeachment proceedings against him. We must, however, exercise due caution when weighing the allegations against the President. To date, my knowledge of this matter is limited to what has been reported in the news media. I have not personally seen or reviewed any evidence which would lead me to conclude President Clinton committed these crimes. Independent Counsel Judge Kenneth Starr, who is investigating this matter at the request of Attorney General Janet Reno, is required by law to formally notify the House of Representatives if he uncovers evidence of impeachable offenses committed by the President. To date, this notification has not occurred. If such notification does occur, I will support efforts to move the impeachment process forward. Your concerns regarding Judge Starr are duly noted. Judge Starr is a man long known for his fair-mindedness, impartiality, and devotion to the truth. His selection as independent counsel was supported by both Democrats and Republicans alike. With respect to your concerns about Judge Starr’s partisanship, my perception is that he is no more or less partisan in the performance