August 2, 1994 - Part 6
August 2, 1994 - Part 6
(00:25:52) I see my time is up, but we'll return to these other meetings that you never told us about. Mr. ALTMAN. May I respond to that? Senator KERRY. Mr. Chairman, he's been asked a question. He should be allowed to respond. Senator DAMATO. I see the red light is on, but go ahead. Mr. ALTMAN. Senator DAmato, I disagree, and I do so vehemently, with the premise of the question. I responded on February 24 that I had one substantive contact. That's the way I responded. And by that, I meant relating to the RTC investigation of Madison. None of the conversations that you just enumerated had anything to do with the RTC investigation of Madison, and I used the word substantive" for that purpose. The CHAIRMAN, Well, I Senator D'AMATO. I might point out, Mr. Chairman, that wasn't the question. The question Senator Gramm raised did not say "an substantive communications." It said "any communications wit ,he White House or with staff." Mr. ALTMAN. Senator DAmato, Senator Gramm immediately said, well then, give me the substance of the conversation. senator DAMATO. That's fine, because you indicated- 422 Senator GRAMM. "Substance" means what was it about. It doesn't mean there's a difference between substantive and substance. Mr. ALTMAN. Senator, I used the term The CHAIRMAN. Well, there will be-and we're going to stay here as long as it takes to work through this so that every Senator is satisfied on these issues and we will do that. I think now before I yield to Senator Sarbanes-and most Members, I think all Members are back, this might be an appropriate time to play this videotape that will include, I believe, this exchange. So if we're ready, why don't we do that now and that Will refresh everybody as to what took place that day. Senator DODD. Whose tape is this? The CHAIRMAN. Senate tape. Senator DODD. This was done at the request of the witness, Mr. Altman. The CHAIRMAN. And with my concurrence, I think it's a very good idea that we see it. senator DOMENICI. Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Yes. Senator DOMENICI. Mr. Chairman, I don't know bow you would decide this but I want to raise a point. I have every confidence that Mr. Altman should beach mean every agreement that he should be re resented by counsel but I think the young man sitting behind him keeps handing him papers. It seems to me he ought to identify himself and, perhaps, sit at the table as his coun- sel or, at least, we ought to know who is handing him notes for the purpose of the hearing. Mr. ALTMAN. Senator Domenici, I'd be delighted to identify these gentlemen. The CHAIRMAN. I agree, he ought to identify them. Who are they, Mr. Altman? Mr. ALTMAN. To In right, Mr. John Kenney is a partner in the law firm of Simpson, Thacher & Bartlett in New York, representing me. And to my left, his associate, Mr. Paul Curnin. Senator DODD. Why don't you continue. Mr. ALTMAN. Sitting next to Mr. Curnin is my wife, my beloved wife, and sitting next to her is my good friend, B.A. Bentsen. Next to her, my friend, Cathy Sloan; my brother, Richard Altman; my oldest friend, Jay McLaughlin; and the other gentlemen are not associated with me. They used to want to be, but now they're not. The CHAIRMAN. Looks to me like you still have a pretty good coterie around you here. Can we go ahead and see the videotape? [Videotape started.] Senator GRAMM. I just have a simple question that I want to ask of most of the members of the panel, and let me just read it. Mr. Altman, I want to ask you first. Have you or any member of your staff had any communication with the President, the First Lady of or any of their representa- tives, including their legal counsel, or any member the White House staff, con- cerning Whitewater or the Madison Savings & Loan? Mr. ALTMAN. I've had one substantive contact with White House staff and I want to tell you about it. Senator GRAMM. Let me, if I may, given that "yes," I'd like to know what the Substance of the communication was, when it occurred, who initiated it, and what you were asked to do.