Lewinsky scandal

The Monica Lewinsky scandal (informally Monicagate, various {{fn|1}}) was a political sex scandal emerging from a short-term sexual relationship between United States President Bill Clinton and a then 22-year-old White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. The news of this extra-marital affair and the resulting investigation eventually led to the impeachment of Bill Clinton in 1998 by the U.S. House of Representatives and his acquittal for charges of perjury and obstruction of justice in a 21-day Senate trial.

Allegations of perjury

In his deposition for the Jones lawsuit, Clinton denied having "sexual relations" with Lewinsky. Based on the evidence provided by Tripp, Starr concluded that this sworn testimony was false and perjurious.

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The issue was greatly confused by an unusual definition for sexual contact that was ordered during the initial questioning which led to the perjury allegations. http://www.huppi.com/kangaroo/L-clintonjonesperjury.html During the deposition, Clinton was asked "have you ever had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky, as that term is defined in Deposition Exhibit 1, as modified by the Court." The judge ordered that Clinton be given an opportunity to review the agreed definition. Afterwards, Clinton answered "I have never had sexual relations with Monica Lewinsky." Clinton later stated that he interpreted the agreed upon definition of sexual relations to exclude his receiving oral sex.

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