Clinton Quizzed About Tie He Wore When Lewinsky Testified
By John King/CNN
EDGARTOWN, Mass.(Aug. 19) -- During his grand jury testimony Monday prosecutors questioned President Bill Clinton about the necktie he wore on the day Monica Lewinsky testified before the federal grand jury.
Lewinsky claims she gave the president the tie he wore Aug. 6, the day she appeared, fully immunized, before Independent Counsel Ken Starr's grand jury.
Prosecutors asked Clinton Monday if he was trying to send a signal to the former White House intern by wearing the gold necktie at a Rose Garden event on handgun control.
During the questioning prosecutors reached into a pouch and pulled out a photograph of the tie the president was wearing the morning of Lewinsky's testimony.
Two sources, loyal to the White House, who were briefed on the president's testimony said they were told, the president leaned back in his chair and smiled and then expressed bewilderment at the question.
According to the sources, the president said it was possible Lewinsky had given him the tie, he was not certain of that, and he was certainly not trying to send her a signal.
"It was a rare light hearted moment in a very tough day for the president ... I don't think it is anything that is being taken seriously around here," said one of the sources.
The questions about the tie came up during a portion of the testimony regarding possible obstruction of justice.
Lewinsky told prosecutors she gave the president a half dozen or so ties and sent notes asking the him to wear them as a demonstration that he was thinking of her.
Lewinsky entered the courthouse at 8:30 a.m. EDT on that day, testimony began at 9 a.m. The president's event in the Rose Garden was at 10 a.m.
During his testimony Monday Clinton admitted a sexual relationship with Lewinsky, sources say. After his testimony Clinton also addressed the nation and admitted an inappropriate relationship with the ex-intern. Both Clinton and Lewinsky originally denied an sexual affair in sworn deposition for the Paula Jones sexual harassment case. Clinton continues to deny he lied under oath.
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