August 2, 1994 - Part 6
August 2, 1994 - Part 6
(00:30:08) Mr. ALTMAN. First of all, I initiated it. About 3 weeks ago, Jean Hanson, who is Treasury's General Counsel, and I requested a meeting with Mr. Nussbaum-he's the White House Counsel. The purpose of that meeting was to describe the proce- 423 dural reasons for the---procedural reasons for the then-impending February 28 deadline as far as the then-statute of limitations was concerned. I'm sure you now that that statute of limitations has subsequently been retroactively reinstated for certain types of civil claims. And we explained the process which the RTC would follow in reaching a decision before that February 8 deadline; that it would be exactly identical to procedures used in any other case, any other PIS case, and that the RTC fundamentally would come to a conclusion as to whether or not there existed the basis for a claim or whether there did not. And in the event that the basis for a claim existed, then it would pursue either a tolling agreement-which is the equivalent of a voluntary extension of the statute of limitations from the parties at interest, or it would file that claim in court. That was the whole conversation. I was asked one question. That question was whether we intended to provide the same briefing to attorneys for the parties at interest. I said I assume so. I went back. Jean Hanson checked with the RTC General Counsel and the answer was, in due course. I said fine. That was it. I have not had any contact with the President of the United States or the First Lady on any matter like this. [Videotape ended.] The CHAIRMAN. There's more coming here, just one moment. [Videotape started.] Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Chairman, I have to say to Mr. Altman that I would like back to the question that Senator Gramm brought up and as it relates to any meetings with White House staff or counsel. Mr. Altman, I think you said that you and an official from Treasury sought out Mr. Nussbaum. Is that correct? Mr. ALTMAN. Yes, I did. Senator D'AMAT0. Could you tell us why? In other words, I have difficulty understanding why it is you felt compelled to seek out the White House Counsel? Mr. ALTMAN. Solely to ensure Senator D'AMATO. Solely to Mr. ALTMAN. Solely to be sure that he understood the legal and procedural frame- work within which the RTC was working. If you recall, as said, at that time there was a February 28 date that was the subject of major attention in the Congress and in the press. It's not uncommon for meetings of that type to take place and I describe it as a "heads up," and a very stiff conversation. Senator DAMATO. A "heads up , in what connection would that "heads up" be? Do you mean that the statute of limitations was running? Mr. ALTMAN. No, that they should be aware of the internal processes and the Types of criteria which the RTC was going to be following in order to reach a decision by February 28, 1994. Senator D'AMATO. Were any representatives of the President or Mrs. Clinton, or any legal counsel, which I think would be appropriate, speaking to the counsel for the RTC, or people handling this, particular matter? I mean, was there any legal representation going on? Did you just call them? Did they have any representatives or any counsel who may have been meeting with staff people, or talking to staff people? Mr. ALTMAN. I was accompanied by our General Counsel, Treasury General Coun. sel. Mr. Nussbaum had his assistant with him. And Mr. Ickes and Margaret Williams were both at the Senator D'AMAT0. Oh, Ickes is in it, huh? Let me ask you this. Prior to this meeting, was there any representation, was there any counsel, that was representing the President's interest or Mrs. Clinton's interests, or anyone else that you were aware of, as it relates to the matter that you went to brief them on? Mr. ALTMAN. No. Not to my knowledge. Nor were there any subsequent conversa. tions, Senator DAMATO. Let me ask you, did anyone request this meeting? Mr. ALTMAN. I requested the meeting, Senator DAMATO. Was there any other meeting that may have been requested? Mr. ALTMAN. No. Senator D'AMATO. There was no other meeting that you were aware of that the White House Counsel requested?