August 4, 1994 - Part 13
August 4, 1994 - Part 13
(01:25:21) Senator BOND. Nobody in your agency to your knowledge advised the White House staff that this was going to be a major-this would be a major source of concern, this notification?" And Mr. Altman says- "Not to my knowledge," If I understand what you said correctly, it's that you were from Treasury when you went over to the White House and therefore Mr. Altman was technically correct because you were a Treasury employee and not an RTC employee? Answer: That's right. I never considered myself to he an RTC employee. So when I thought about the question and understood it to relate to the RTC, I didn't believe that it included me because I always viewed myself as functioning in my capacity as the General Counsel of the Treasury and not in any capacity for the RTC. Question: OK Again, I know this is going to be a question that is going to come up: Do you consider that that distinction was a distinction with a difference in the way this question was asked? I mean, didn't you understand that the Senators wanted to know how the information got to the White House? Answer: As I've stated, when I heard the question asked and answered, I understood it to be asked and answered in the context of the RTC, which I did not believe included me as the General Counsel of the Treasury. However, as I've also said, when I transcribed the two questions the following Tuesday on March 1st, and I looked at them out of context and considered them, I was concerned that, although the answers were technically correct--I continued to think the answers were technically correct-I did not think the answers to the questions answered the spirit of the question, and in fact, I believe that that was what the Senators were looking for, the information as to how the White House was notified. And that's why I thought, clearly, that the record was going to have to be supplemented to make that clear. Question: And when you did that-and I believe you said this was around March 1st? [Pause.] The Podesta call, I think we have narrowed down, happens around March 1st Podesta says it happens March lst, Altman seems to say around March Ist. Answer: That's my recollection. Question: Did you tell Mr. Altman that, that his answer was no longer accurate? Answer: I recall that there was a discussion about it. I don't recall Question: A discussion between whom? Answer; I don't remember who was there. I know that Michael Levy was there. Question: You were there, Answer: I was there. Question: Michael Levy was there. Answer: Mr. Altman was there. I don't remember who else. I know Question: Where was "there"? Answer: In Mr. Altman's office. Question: And who called the meeting together, this group of people together? Answer: I don't recall. Question: As best you can recall, what was the substance of the conversation that took place? Answer: The conversation related to whether-Mr. Podesta's statement that there was concern over Mr. Altman's answers, what-what the response to Mr. Podesta's question was, And there was a discussion as to whether it needed to be supplemented, the record needed to be supplemented. Question: Who was that discussion between? Answer: The participants in the meeting. I know that there was--I recall that there was a view expressed that the answers were correct, technically correct, because it related to the RTC and was answered in that context. As I stated, I was concerned that, although, even if technically correct, that the answers did not answer the spirit of the question, which was why, as I have stated, I started working on my questions and answers to recall-to refresh my recollection on the events that had occurred, because I knew that the record had to be supple- mented with the information. people at the meeting, who took Question: Who took the position? Of the three the position that the answers were "technically correct"? Answer: I believe that there were more than three people at the meeting. I don't recall who else was there. I don't recall. I believe that, if I recall correctly, Mr. Levy took that position, but I can't recall what the prevailing view was. As I've stated, 518 I knew and I had a concern that the answers did not answer the spirit of the question and knew Question: And did you voice that view? Answer; I believe I did. Question: Well can you try a little more? You believe you did. What do you base that on? Do you have a memory of saying something? Answer: I recall that I did. Question: And who did you address that to? The group in general, or Mr. Altman? Answer: The group in general, to my recollection. Question: To the best of your memory, what did you say to the group? Answer: I don't recall. The substance was that the answers, although technically correct, didn't answer the spirit of the question. Question: Did this group discuss the tact that Mr. Podesta of the White House had called and raised a number of concerns with Mr, Altman's testimony? Answer: The only issue that I recall being told was raised by Mr. Podesta was Mr. Altman's answers to Senator Bond's questions. I do not recall hearing that Mr. Podesta raised any other issues with Mr. Altman.