Silent Maneuver

WASHINGTON, D.C.: That deafening silence out of Washington was the sound of Webster Hubbell and John Huang deciding to take the Fifth Amendment as a Congressional investigation into Democratic National Committee fund-raising irregularities heats up. While Huang's lawyers say he may release some materials to the House committee in return for "limited" immunity from prosecution, Clinton's old friend Hubbell has steadfastly refused to talk. Both men may be withholding testimony to use as a bargaining chip to secure immunity in the Justice Department's criminal investigation into Democratic campaign finance practices. Even so, the Fifth Amendment ploy may be a weak one, notes former U.S. attorney Joseph diGenova. Protection against self-incrimination applies to oral testimony, not necessarily subpoenaed documents. Taking the Fifth has its advantages for the Clinton Administration. If the claim is disputed by Congress, Hubbell and Huang could succeed in tying up the House's DNC investigation for months while a federal judge makes a final decision.