Linda Tripp
Whistleblower
Abstract
Background
Investigation
Aftermath
Outcome
In 1998, Linda Tripp went from an obscure government worker to front page of national media outlets when she exposed Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky. Immediately after the scandal, Tripp was arrested for violating wire taping rules in the state of Maryland with 49 democrats in the Maryland legislate calling for her persecution. Due to the immunity agreement that she reached with Kenneth Starr, the Independent Counsel, much of the evidence that could be used in her persecution was not accessible. The plaintiff called Monica Lewinsky as a key witness at the pre-trial hearing but the state court deemed that Lewinsky, who had admitted to lying under oath, was not credible. Therefore, all charges were dismissed on May 26, 2000 under the ground of lack of evidence. On January 19, 2001, the last day of Clinton's administration, Tripp was fired from her post at the Pentagon. Tripp was also involved in a lawsuit in which she accused the Department of Defense and the Justice Department for violating the Privacy Act of 1974. She cited that both agency released her confidential information to the media. In 2003, both parties agreed on a settlement under which she would receive a payment of more than $595,000, a retroactive promotion, and salary for the years of 1998, 1999, and 2000. She will also receive a life time pension and will be cleared to work as a federal worker once again. The settlement also preserved her right to claim a class act lawsuit against the federal government. In an interview with Larry King, she announced that she is suffering from breast cancer and she revealed that despite a successful lawsuit, she did not receive a signifiant amount of financial benefits due to the hefty fees from her attorney and other charges. Tripp undergone a $30,000 plastic surgery performed by Los Angeles plastic surgeon Dr. Geoffrey Keyes. Since the scandal, she moved to Northern Virginia and married Dieter Rausch, a German architect. She now owns a year-round Christmas shop, the Christmas Sleigh, in Middleburg, Virginia.
Reactions
Selected Videos
Gallery
Clinton and Lewinsky
Evidence
Starr's evidence arriving at the US Capital Building. Including more than 20 hours of Tripp's recordings.
Linda Tripp
Tripp and Lewinsky
Evidence
The infamous blue dress that Tripp persuaded Lewinsky not to launder. After DNA testing, it is confirmed that Bill Clinton did have a sexual relationship with Lewinsky.
Ticket to the Trial
Map of the West Wing
The location of which the alleged sexual affair took place
Evidence
Results from DNA testing shows that Clinton's DNA was tainted on Lewinsky's dress
Linda Tripp
Work Cited
Works Cited
"Bill Clinton--"I Did Not Have Sexual Relations with That Woman"" YouTube. YouTube, 18 Apr. 2012. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBe_guezGGc>.
A Chronology: Key Moments In The Clinton-Lewinsky Saga. Cable News Network, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/resources/lewinsky/timeline/>.
Clinton and the Intern. Washington Post, 2 Feb. 1998. Web. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/nwcover012698b.htm>.
"Clinton Impeachment Hearings (Part 1 of 3)." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZk5BRZU6Qc>.
"Clinton Impeachment Hearings (Part 2 of 3)." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gel4wZX8EgI>.
"Clinton Impeachment Hearings (Part 3 of 3)." YouTube. YouTube, 11 Aug. 2011. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddwpJSxIkGw>.
Clinton: Lewinsky Affair a 'terrible Moral Error' Cable News Network, 21 June 2004. Web. 14 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/06/20/clinton.book/index.html>.
"Government Settles with Tripp for $595,000." CNN. Cable News Network, 6 Nov. 2003. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.
In Linda Tripp's Career, Clues to Her Motivation. Washington Post, 25 Jan. 1998. Web. <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/clinton/stories/tripp012598.htm>.
Jr., Elaine Sciolino And Don Van Natta. "TESTING OF A PRESIDENT: THE CONFIDANT; Linda Tripp, Elusive Keeper Of Secrets, Mainly Her Own." The New York Times. The New York Times, 15 Mar. 1998. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.nytimes.com/1998/03/15/us/testing-president-confidant-linda-tripp-elusive-keeper-secrets-mainly-her-own.html?pagewanted=all>.
Lewinsky Scandal. Infoplease, n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.infoplease.com/encyclopedia/history/lewinsky-scandal.html>.
"Map of the West Wing of the White House." Map of the West Wing of the White House. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/clinton/westwing.html>.
"Monica Lewinsky on Larry King (part 4)." YouTube. YouTube, 08 Mar. 2010. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeCiHrbd-dI>.
N.d. Photograph. The Impeachment Trial of President William Clinton: Selected Images. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/clinton/Senatephoto.jpg>.
N.d. Photograph. Web. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/clinton/Senatephoto.jpg>.
"Presidential Approval Ratings -- Bill Clinton." Presidential Approval Ratings -- Bill Clinton. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
Staff, TIME. "Where Are They Now: The Clinton Impeachment." Time. Time, n.d. Web. 13 Feb. 2013.
"The Stained Blue Dress of Monica Lewinsky That Almost Lost APresidency." The Stained Blue Dress of Monica Lewinsky That Almost Lost APresidency. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013.
"The Stained Blue Dress of Monica Lewinsky That Almost Lost APresidency." The Stained Blue Dress of Monica Lewinsky That Almost Lost APresidency. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/clinton/lewinskydress.html>.
Transcript: Linda Tripp on 'Larry King Live' Cable News Network, 16 Jan. 1999. Web. 16 Feb. 2013. <http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/stories/1999/02/16/tripp.transcript/>.