He was initially appointed in 1994 to investigate the Whitewater controversy, which involved a real estate deal from the 1970s involving Bill and Hillary Clinton. His investigation expanded in 1998 to include the Monica Lewinsky scandal, after allegations of sexual harassment and a cover-up emerged.
Starr's investigation ultimately led to President Clinton's impeachment by the House of Representatives in 1998, though he was later acquitted by the Senate.