WASHINGTON — Monica Lewinsky will "reluctantly appear" once again for questioning by prosecutors in the perjury and obstruction probe of President Clinton, a lawyer for the former White House intern said Tuesday.
Plato Cacheris said independent counsel Robert Ray's office "called last week and said they want to interview her" and that "under the immunity agreement, she has to give" her full cooperation.
"She will reluctantly appear and be interviewed by Mr. Ray's office," said Cacheris. No date has been set.
Cacheris said Lewinsky "would like to put this whole thing behind her."
Asked if he meant that Lewinsky wants to see Clinton "walk" rather than face prosecution, Cacheris said he wasn't saying that but that she simply "wants to end this burden that is on her."
At Ray's request, a federal grand jury was empaneled July 11 at the U.S. Courthouse in Washington, and it has been hearing evidence against Clinton in twice-a-week meetings. Lewinsky's upcoming interview will not be before the grand jury.
Ray says a decision on prosecuting Clinton for his conduct in the Lewinsky scandal will come "very shortly" after the president leaves the White House in January.
Based on a report submitted by Ray predecessor Ken Starr, the president was impeached by the House for alleged perjury and obstruction. The Senate acquitted Clinton of obstruction on a 50-50 vote and the Senate voted 55-45 against convicting him of perjury. A two-thirds majority was necessary for conviction.
Clinton, a lawyer, is undergoing disbarment proceedings in Arkansas for his sworn testimony in the Paula Jones case in which he denied having sex with Lewinsky and said he didn't recall being alone with her.
The Arkansas Supreme Court Committee on Professional Conduct says Clinton is unfit to practice law because of that testimony.