August 2, 1994 - Part 10
August 2, 1994 - Part 10
(00:45:35) Mr. ALTMAN. I'm sorry, Senator, I might not be following you. Senator BOND. In your March 2 -letter, you said "I have learned today of two conversations which did take place between Treasury staff and White House personnel on this matter. My information is that both related to the handling of press inquiries." The fact of the matter is that Jean Hanson, General Counsel of the Treasury, advised the White House; is that correct? Mr. ALTMAN. When I wrote this, let me explain to you carefully what had happened Senator BOND. You now have lots of additional information. I'm just trying to get the record corrected. Mr. ALTMAN. Today I believe that's the case. Senator BOND. Did she do so at your request or did she do so solely on her own initiative? Mr. ALTMAN. She's used the tasked her to that assignment. term, as you know, that she feels I I don't believe I did. I don't believe I would have tasked her. I think I would have remembered if I did. Senator, if I could say one thing, just personally to you, I've heard from a number of sources that you felt particularly misled about the communication I bad with you that evening. I hope one of the things I've done here tonight, because I have a lot of respect 'for you, is to have explained to your satisfaction that when I called you and told you I just learned about those meetings, that was the truth. Senator BOND. At the time you called me, Mr. Altman, I was willing to accept that. Since that time, having achieved the opportunity to have more information, I have some real questions about it. You indicated in your testimony today that, when you gave that first answer to me, no one had contacted the White House to your knowledge. You turned to Ms. Hanson and got a confirmation of the accuracy. When you turned- you said at that point she con,,firmed that there had been no advice given to the White House. You further stated that Ms. Hanson precleared the letter Mr. ALTMAN. Yes. Senator BOND. -The letter that you sent to Chairman Riegle on arch 2 was precleared by her. Mr. ALTMAN. Yes, that's my understanding and I've been told by least one person who witnessed it that that indeed is confirmed. Senator BOND. And then you state in your testimony today that was Mr. Podesta on, I thought it was March 1, but you say here March 2, Mr. Podesta was the one who told you of the two other meetings? Mr. Mr. AL TMAN. Yes, sir, be did. Senator BOND. Now, it appears that you have been badly misled Ms. Hanson Hanson. She misled you, according to your testimony, when confirmed that the answer you gave me was correct in that was no advice on the criminal referrals given to the White that fair? 520 Mr. ALTMAN. I'd like to put this in a moment's worth of perspective Ms. Hanson, herself, I believe, said yesterday that recollection was refreshed after this March 2 letter and that find A's, I guess they were, which she prepared which said hadn't asked her to go to the White House, indeed, were she thought about it more. So extrapolating that, I'm sure when she confirmed my sitting here that she did so honestly. I know Jean Hanson she a very honest person. And she recalled something different later time, I guess. Senator BOND. Well, if Jean Hanson really did act on her 0 and if she, as you've stated today, misled you in confirming answer to the question Mr. ALTMAN. Senator, I don't mean to say that she misled I don't mean to say that. I think that she believed what she was correct. Senator BOND. Then we have her testimony and your testimony And what we're faced with Mr. ALTMAN. But, Senator, when you asked me a question---I really want to be as strong as I can on this, When you asked the question, I gave you my answer, not to my knowledge. I turned to Ms. Hanson, you saw it on a tape, and she confirmed it. Now I think if you look at the tape Senator BOND. You have stated that's what's happening, we could not tell. You have stated that's what's happening. Mr. ALTMAN. I believe that's what occurred at that time. But I'm still concerned that you're not sure whether I answered you straight up. Senator BOND. That is correct. Mr. ALTMAN. I don't know what I can do more than I've said, today to assure you of that.