Mr. Knowlton came forward to authorities to report what he had seen at the park on the afternoon of Foster's death. FBI agents tried to get him to change his story, and, failing that, they misrepresented Mr. Knowlton's account in their official reports. After Mr. Knowlton learned from a reporter that the FBI did not accurately record what he told them, his story was reported in a London newspaper. Two days after the story reached American newsstands, Kenneth Starr issued Mr. Knowlton a subpoena whereupon he was victimized by threats, harassment, and intimidation by 25 or more men.
The suit was filed under seal of court on October 25, 1996 to be unsealed on November 12, one week after the presidential election. This suit alleges conspiracy to obstruct justice in violation of 42 U.S.C. 1985(2) and that, "the overall object of the conspiracy was to obstruct the investigation into the death of Vincent W. Foster, or to prevent or obstruct investigation into an FBI cover-up, or both." Mr. Knowlton and his attorney, John H. Clarke, will be available to discuss the suit with the press at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 12 on the steps facing Constitution Avenue at the U.S. District Court in Washington D.C.