Starr

continues Clinton probe

With President Clinton under investigation in the Monica Lewinsky probe, first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and a former law partner, Webster Hubbell, continue to be the focus of a grand jury in Arkansas that expires May 7.

Starr eventually will make decisions on whether to refer to the House of Representatives any evidence turned up against the president. He also must determine whether to proceed with the Little Rock part of the Whitewater investigation focusing on real estate transactions there.

Prosecutors in Starr's office have begun assembling material against Clinton for possible submission to the House, lawyers familiar with Starr's investigation said yesterday.

AP PHOTO Whitewater prosecutor Kenneth Starr faces a crush of reporters and photographers as he makes a statement outside his Washington office on Jan. 22.

But "no decision has been made on the issuance, timing, or contents of such a submission," Starr said in a statement yesterday.

The investigation "continues to be impeded by a variety of privilege invocations," Starr's statement added.

"We are proceeding expeditiously in all phases of the investigation, including the litigation necessary to gather and assess all relevant facts," Starr concluded.

One individual, speaking on grounds of anonymity, said any decision on sending material to the House is delayed indefinitely by court challenges blocking Starr's access to some testimony from key witnesses such as presidential adviser Bruce Lindsey.

The Washington Post initially reported the work by Starr's office in the compiliation of material for a possible referral.

Under the law, if Starr finds "substantial and credible information ... that may constitute grounds for an impeachment," he must turn that over to the House.

04-09-98