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Judge Directs Kenneth Starr
to Justify Lewinsky Book Subpoena

In a two-part April 6 ruling, Judge Norma Holloway Johnson of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia directed that independent counsel Kenneth Starr must "show cause," or explain why he needs to subpoena records of Monica Lewinsky's purchases from Kramerbooks, an independent Washington bookstore.

ALA and other groups filed a sealed amicus brief April 2 supporting Kramerbooks' motion to quash the subpoena. Judge Johnson's ruling also "unsealed" the brief, making it public.

Judith F. Krug, director of ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom, said that "library confidentiality records are in jeopardy if we don't fight this." The American Booksellers Foundation for Freedom of Expression says it will appeal if the subpoena is not quashed, she said, and "it means we may be in court for a long time."

Posted April 13, 1998.

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Judge Directs Kenneth Starr
to Justify Lewinsky Book Subpoena