Benotti69 said:
it is possible that McIlvain told the truth but who would know apart from McIlvain, Feds, Grand Jury and Novitsky, but the PR spin is for others who maybe thinking of doing the same?
I think we'll have to call inconclusive on this one. Both theories:
- Stephanie lied to the GJ, lawyer told the truth about her testimony, and
- Stephanie told the truth to the GJ, lawyer lied about her testimony
have a reasonable explanation.
My guess is that she told the truth and had hew lawyer lie for her. They figured this approach has the best chance to protect her both short term - and long term:
1. She won't be charged with perjury. This has got to be the lawyer's #1 advise to her client. The stakes are not high enough for her to risk jail time as she's not a target of this inquiry herself.
2. There's a chance Armstrong won't be indicted. In that case, her testimony will stay secret, and her lawyer's comments is the only story anyone will know. All is well.
3. Armstrong is eventually indicted, but she needs public cover to keep working as if nothing had changed, free of short term retribution from Armstrong, her employer, from other parties connected to the case.
4. They concluded that it's better for her lawyer to lie than be silent. This goes back to #3 since there would have obviously been pressure on her to relay her testimony privately to the same folks.
And for those who think lawyers never lie to protect their client? Just check out any statement by Mr Fabiani, a spokesperson and a lawyer for Mr Armstrong.