BERNARD SHAW, CNN ANCHOR: A former spokesman for independent counsel Ken Starr goes on trial today. Charles Bakaly faces charge he misled a judge about news leaks during the Monica Lewinsky probe. With more on the story, our CNN national correspondent Bob Franken outside the courthouse -- Bob.</s>BOB FRANKEN, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: And, Bernie, the trial is about two hours old now. It's contempt of court is the charge. Bakaly could face up to six months in prison if he was found guilty, ultimately. Tried before Norma Holloway Johnson, who's the chief judge here, the one who, in fact, initiated an investigation after a "New York Times" article on January 31, 1999 which reported that independent counsel Ken Starr had decided a sitting president could be indicted. Of course, the decision was made not to seek an indictment against President Clinton. The article cited "associates," and that caused the investigation during which Mr. Bakaly, it is alleged, under oath, denied that he had any knowledge of where the leaks had come. But in the ensuing months as an investigation progresses, the charges are that he changed his story, that, quoting from the prosecutors in this case, "there were efforts to conceal or cover up" his involvement in the "New York Times" article. But Bakaly's attorneys argue that, in fact, all he was doing is he changed his story, was trying to, quote, "make changes that made his declaration true." So what we have is a he-did-too/he-did-not kind of case. It will be decided after testimony from several witnesses, including present and former lawyers with the independent counsel's office. Bakaly insisting that since these leaks did not involve secret grand jury material -- that was determined by an appeals court -- he did nothing wrong. Bob Franken, CNN, live, Washington.</s>SHAW: Thank you, Bob. More on the Bakaly trial coming up at the bottom of the hour on "BURDEN OF PROOF" right after NEWSDAY.
Contempt Trial of Former Starr Spokesman Charles Bakaly Under Way