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Independent Counsel Gray: Clinton Investigation Closed

Aired March 07, 2002 - 11:53   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
LEON HARRIS, CNN ANCHOR: It is the epilogue of the Clinton- Lewinsky saga. A final report concludes that President Clinton could have been brought up on criminal charges had he not cut a deal in the closing days of his administration.

CNN's Bruce Morton now, with a look at the findings.

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BRUCE MORTON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): The report is 52 pages plus appendices, but the headline is just one line. "This investigation, begun more than three years ago, is now closed."

Robert Gray, Kenneth Starr's successor as independent counsel concludes there was enough evidence to prosecute Former President Bill Clinton and there was "a substantial federal interest" in doing that. But, "alternative, non-criminal sanctions were imposed that adequately satisfied the interests of federal law enforcment."

What were those? Gray's report lists Clinton's admission of testifying falsely in the Paula Jones lawsuit. The five year suspension of his license to practice law in Arkansas. And the $25,000 fine he paid there. Civil contempt fines imposed by a federal court. The payment of more than $850,000 to Jones. And finally, the substantial public condemnation of President Clinton arising from his impeachment.

Though, in looking at the warm receptions he gets as an ex- president, you have to wonder. In one instance, the report includes there was not enough evidence to prove the president was lying when he denied allegations he fondled Kathleen Willie in the White House.

The report is sometimes defensive, noting, "we have seen how cynics and political opponents too readily can impugn the integrity of those charged with invetigating high level government officials." It adds that no one on the staff was found to have done anything wrong.

David Kendall, Clinton's lawyer through it all, issued a statement calling the investigation "intense, expensive, partisan and long. There's nothing new in this report."

Expensive? The report notes that the Monica investigation cost roughly $12.5 million. The whole probe, starting with White Water, back in 1994, about $70 million. Bruce Morton, CNN, Washington.

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