Malibu Ken Stalking the White House... Again?

Malibu Ken Stalking the White House…Again?

Ken Starr Wednesday, April 23rd 1997 — Indictment Watch Update: Many Americans may have missed a the story that "Malibu Ken" Starr petitioned a federal court at Little Rock, Arkansas court yesterday asking for an extension -- until November 7th of this year -- of the grand jury investigating Bill and Hillary Clinton's Whitewater real estate deal and other matters.

Starr, who hasn't bellied up to the "bar" with anything resembling indictable allegations against the Clintons in the past, now tells the court that he had found "extensive evidence" of obstruction of justice, and -- of course -- that he needs more time to figure things out.

This plea, which the court granted almost immediately, comes on the heels of the sentencing of Clinton ex-friend James McDougal and his assertions that Clinton lied about his involvement in a questionable loan from an Arkansas bank. McDougal told Larry King, of all people, that Clinton may have lied, but did nothing illegal - retreating from last week's position.

McDougal had previously testified in court that the Clinton's were not involved in this or any of McDougal's felonious activity. But when it came to paying the price, McDougal rolled over for Starr and changed his story gaining what amounts to a slap on the wrist for crimes he was convicted of. What McDougal got from Starr was a mere $10,000 fine and 3 years in jail for a larceny that should have left him a very old and pitifully poor man rotting in prison.

Now Starr claims he bases his "new findings" on McDougal's assertions and some mysterious papers he has recently received.

Pundits that did cover this story during the last 24 hours, are theorizing that the obstruction of justice charges are aimed at the First Lady, Hillary Clinton, and that she may be indicted before the Summer is over. The theories are based on Starr's suggestion that, "There have been assertions of privileges which have been or will be the subject of additional grand jury litigation. There have been efforts by some persons and entities to challenge grand jury subpoenas. This has led to grand jury litigation under seal, some of which is ongoing."

Starr alerted the court that the grand jury was currently spending a lot of time examining possible, "concealment and destruction of evidence and intimidation of witnesses."

As usual, Starr -- having a flare for the dramatic -- refused to disclose whether he had evidence that these allegations involved actions by the President or the First Lady.

The boiling stomachs at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this morning are largely a result of the clear fact that Starr is not backing off, and that he will continue his quest for at least the next six months.

The Clintons also realize that it is relatively easy for a prosecutor to convince a grand jury of a possible obstruction of justice, and that the targets could easily be either the President or Mrs. Clinton -- especially in light of records that mysteriously appeared at the White House after having been "lost" for years. Washington insiders believe that these billing records "appeared" because an unknown staff member found them and was embarrassed to admit missing them earlier on. Another possibility was that the same staff member wanted to insulate the Clintons against possible obstruction charges.

Whatever the case, a newly cooperative and grateful McDougal, coupled with new documentary evidence pushes the indictment meter up -- at least one notch.