Starr Subp nas B&N, Too; Kramer Decides to Fight
Calvin Reid -- 4/6/98
Before the outrage could subside over Kenneth Starr's subp na of a Washington, D.C., bookseller, seeking information on Monica Lewinsky's book purchases, the independent counsel provoked a new wave of opposition as he issued another subp na last week to Barnes &Noble seeking similar information.Officials at Barnes &Noble immediately issued a statement, vowing to file a motion in U.S. District Court to dismiss the subp na. "The subp na raises the issue of whether the government has the right to pry into the reading preferences of every individual purchasing a book," the statement said. "We believe that the First Amendment is sacrosanct... it protects our customers' right to privacy." According to B&N, the subp na demands "all documents and things relating to" purchases made by Lewinsky since Nov. 1, 1995. It specifies, but is not limited to, 12 purchases identified by check or credit card number, made at the Georgetown B&N store. At the same time, William J. Kramer, co-owner of Washington, D.C., Kramerbooks, denied previous reports that his bookstore would cooperate with Starr's demands (News, Mar. 30) and turn over the subp naed documents. "We will not turn over any information about our customers' purchases," Kramer said. He noted that he and his partners had changed course after "educating ourselves on the issues." A challenge to the subp na was filed last week. In the wake of Starr's subp na, both educational and legal support arrived swiftly from a host of organizations. The ABA has also issued statements in support of B&N; Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Association Foundation for Free Expression, said the foundation would file an amicus brief in support of Kramerbooks. The FFE is also raising funds for the store's legal bills, and booksellers from around the country are volunteering help. Back To News---> |
