Fifteen years ago today, Americans learned President Bill Clinton's side of the Monica Lewinsky story.
On Sept. 21, 1998, Clinton's grand jury testimony was broadcast on national television. Along with more than four hours of videotape, CNN notes that 3,183 pages of testimony and evidence were released. The anniversary arrives during the same year that Lewinsky celebrated her 40th birthday and her lawyer during the scandal, William Ginsburg, died at age 70.
Read Clinton's opening statement from the proceedings (via PBS), or watch the full two-minute clip of his remarks below (via ABC News).
When I was alone with Ms. Lewinsky on certain occasions in early 1996, and once in early 1997, I engaged in conduct that was wrong. These encounters did not consist of sexual intercourse. They did not constitute sexual relations, as I understood that term to be defined at my January 17th, 1998 deposition. But they did involve inappropriate, intimate contact. These inappropriate encounters ended at my insistence in early 1997. I also had occasional telephone conversations with Ms. Lewinsky that included inappropriate sexual banter. I regret that what began as a friendship came to include this conduct. And I take full responsibility for my actions. While I will provide the grand jury whatever other information I can, because of privacy considerations affecting my family, myself and others, and in an effort to preserve the dignity of the office I hold, this is all I will say about the specifics of these particular matters. I will try to answer to the best of my ability other questions, including questions about my relationship with Ms. Lewinsky, questions about my understanding of the term of sexual relations, as I understood it to be defined at my January 17th, 1998, deposition, and questions concerning alleged subordination of perjury, obstruction of justice and intimidation of witnesses.
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