August 4, 1994 - Part 13
August 4, 1994 - Part 13
(01:15:07) Nobody here, nor any place in the record before, says Bernie went out and started this process as to one of the issues, the recusal issue. So I think that's important to note. I think we are in a very difficult time today in terms of how you make judgments and what powers those judgments. My colleagues, particularly my colleague from Massachusetts, has spoken to it. We are oftentimes press driven. No one wants to admit it. It is a fact of life. Terror strikes in the hearts of powerful Senators and Congressmen when the press can put a spin on something and have someone down on their knees crying. Not publicly, but it happens, so I think we have to take a look at that. And I wish you good luck. Mr. NUSSBAUM. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Mr. Nussbaum, thank you very much for the time and thoughts and let us excuse you at this time. I want to now go to the deposition that was taken this evening from Ms. Hanson. We move very quickly to do that so she might have an opportunity to respond to questions, as a result of the viewing of the videotape, and what the words were that were ex 515 changed between she and Mr. Altman back at the time of February 24th when they were here testifying, What has been typed up at this hour, because. everybody has been working nonstop, we have half of the transcript which runs 14 pages, but it covers a direct discussion, in detail, that videotaped moment and it gives very explicitly her view. I suggested we just make it available to the press and distribute it to Members. It's been suggested by two Senators that it be read into the record. I'm prepared to read it into the record if that's the wish of the Committee. I'll just do it. I'm going to read it in as neutral a fashion as I can. It's 14 pages, shouldn't take too long. It's the deposition of Jean Hanson. "Whereupon Jean Hanson was recalled for deposition in the above-entitled matter and, having been previously duly sworn, was examined and testified further as follows:" I will parenthetically say we're going to start with a series of names and then the people who then make those comments. Mr. CODINHA. Let's go right onto the record. Ms. Hanson, thank you very much for returning tonight on such short notice. Mr. Pitt , I want to thank you for making your client available to us. Then the examination begins by Mr. Codinha. Ms. Hanson, my question to you is, focusing your attention on the testimony you have seen, the videotape you have seen, do you recall Mr. Bond's question and Mr. Altman's answer at the hearing? Answer: Yes. Question: Describe what you thought when you heard that question and answer, if anything. Answer: I understood the question and answer to refer to the RTC. Question: All right. And is that what you were thinking when you heard that question and answer? Answer: That's what I particular moment in time. Question: When you heard that answer, did you think that Mr. Altman's answer was complete, or incomplete, if you had determined that at the time? Answer: It was accurate to the best of my knowledge. Question: After that question and answer, if you look at the videotape, and when Ms. Ford is asked the question, when you see Mr. Altman turn and say something to you, and you appear to shake your head, which looks like a negative shake of the head, and Mr. Altman then turns around again, he says something to you and you shake your head, and I can't tell whether you said anything or not. Mr. Altman has taken a position on what you have said. What we would like to know today, and what the Senators want to know: To the best of your memory, what did Mr. Altman say to you, and what did you say to him? Answer: I don't recall Mr, Altman's exact words, but in substance he asked me whether his answer was wrong. And I don't recall what I said to him, but in substance it was that I didn't believe so. I immediately, if you note on the video, turn then to Ellen Kulka, the General Counsel of the RTC who is seated next to me, and asked her in substance whether she thought the answer was wrong; and I recall that she, in substance that she said she didn't think it was wrong. A Again, I understood all these questions to be asked and answered in the context of the RTC. That's how I understood: The questions related to the RTC and that they were answered in that context.