August 2, 1994 - Part 6
August 2, 1994 - Part 6
(01:15:20) Senator DODD. I want to go right to that tape. I think all of us were watching and I thought I had the page Tight in front of me and now I don't. But if I'm not incorrect, its during the sequence of Senator Bond's questions to you-is it on page 69, 1 apologize, yes, here it is-it's during the sequence of Senator Bond's questions to you where Senator Bond says, "nobody in your agency to your knowledge advised the White House staff that this is going to be a major, this could be a major source of concern." Mr. Altman. "Not to my knowledge?" Then you can bear Senator Bond's voice asking the next question. "Ms. Ford, do you know if the White House was notified by the RTC?" Ms. Ford. "No, we've had no involvement at the Over- fit Board whatsoever." It's at that moment at least visually as I looked at it, and my colleagues can correct me if I'm wrong, that you appeared to turn to Ms. Hanson and ask a question or some communication there. Mr. ALTMAN. I believe I turned to Ms. Hanson and asked her if my answer was correct and I believe she said it was. I think the tape rather clearly Senator DODD. She shook her bead negatively as I saw it. Could you have framed? Mr. ALTMAN. I think I answered wrong. If you look precisely at the tape, I said there wasn't any such contact, was there, and she goes no. Senator DODD. She clearly shook her head no , but that's the juncture and that's the question you were asked at that moment in the tape or words that elicited the negative response as far as any context. Mr. ALTMAN. Yes, sir. Senator DODD. The first meeting was on September 29 as I understand it. We now know Mr. ALTMAN. Yes, sir. Senator DODD. -As a result of Ms. Hanson's testimony, that meeting was primarily to discuss the Waco incident at the White House; is that correct? Mr. ALTMAN. That's my understanding, Senator. 435 Senator DODD. That it was at the end of that meeting that Ms. Hanson approached Bernie Nussbaum and informed him of the criminal referrals; is that your understanding? Mr. ALTMAN. That's my understanding, Senator. Senator DODD. It is your further testimony today that you did not know about that even as late as February 24? Mr. ALTMAN. Yes, Senator, when I was asked by Senator Bond, I answered truthfully. Senator DODD. OK I'm going to introduce into the record and ask Mr. Altman to look at it and that is a memorandum to you from Jean Hanson, subject the Rose Law Firm. While this is being ut in front of you, the memo says, Steve Katsanos has talked with Sue Schmit, see attached, and an Early Bird was attached to this thing. The memo goes on further, the second paragraph, "I have spoken with the Secretary and also with Bernie Nussbaum and Cliff Sloan." Third paragraph, "I have asked Bill Roelle to keep me informed. Is there anything else you think we should be doing?" Now, Ms. Hanson yesterday in her testimony before us was unclear as to whether or not she had told you about this meeting. She couldn't remember. But she relied upon this memo that she claimed she did send on the 30th. She didn't recall the memo, excuse me, but believes that as a result of going through her files that this is something she would have sent. I think that was her testimony. Do you recall getting this memo? Mr. ALTMAN, I don't recall precisely getting it, Senator, but I'm glad you asked because I think there's been a big misunderstanding about this memo. What is this memo attached to? This memo is attached to something called the RTC Early Bird. Senator DODD. That's correct. Mr. ALTMAN. What is the RTC Early Bird? The RTC Early Bird is a compendium of stories which the press may be working on. And included here Senator BOXER. What did you say? Mr. ALTMAN. A compendium of stories, Senator Boxer, which the press may be working on. That's what the Early Bird is and that's all it is. And here there is a reference to a possible story on the Rose Law Firm. So Ms. Hanson's cover memo says, in effect, I've spoken with the Secretary and others about a possible story that may be brewing on the Rose Law Firm. That doesn't confirm any meetings in the fall about criminal referrals. Senator DODD. It does mention in that third bullet, if you read the entire paragraph, it says, "the Rose Law Firm's alleged undisclosed conflicts of interest and integral RTC sources suggests that multiple referrals to the Justice Department link the firm's members, friends, and loans to the insolvent S&L's are being pursued by The Washington Post and the Associated Press."