August 4, 1994 - Part 13
August 4, 1994 - Part 13
(01:30:38) Question: Was Mr. Altman an active participant in these discussions? Answer: I don't recall. They took-the discussion took place in his office. Question: Do you recall him saying anything? Did he agree with anybody Senator DODD. The question above that, was Mr. Altman an active participant. The CHAIRMAN. I just read that. Senator DODD. OK I'm sorry. The CHAIRMAN. Let me pick up with the top of 14. Question; Was Mr. Altman an active participant in these discussions? Answer: I don't recall. They took-the discussion took place in his office. Question: Do you recall him saying anything? Did he a agree with anybody? Did he disagree with anybody? Can you recall at all what he said. Answer, I don't recall. Question- Do you recall having a strong feeling as to whether the record should be corrected to reflect what you've told us here tonight? Answer: I recall having a strong feeling that the record was going-was going to require supplementation. As I stated, at that point I did not have a transcript and had not had an opportunity to review the transcript in full. But it was my view that the record was going to have to be supplemented. That's my recollection. Question: And when Mr. Altman said that you pre-cleared his letter and signed off on it, did you consider the letter that he sent--I assume this must be the March 2nd letter-to be the letter that corrected the statements that you just told us about? I will show you the letter. Mr. PITT. It is on page 336 of the printed hearings. Ms. HANSON. I understood this letter to be designed to address a specific issue. That was, to answer Senator Bond's question of who notified the White House- And that was the reference to two conversations that took place between Treasury staff and White House personnel, one of those conversations being my conversation with Mr. Nussbaum. As I stated, on March 3rd there was an article that appeared in The Washington Post that described the two fall meetings. This letter was designed and intended to put the Committee on notice of these two meetings, but not, in my view, to com pletely supplement the record as it related to those two meetings because it didn't have the specific information to respond to Senator Bond's question. That remained to be completed in full in response to a review of the entire record. Mr. Codinha resuming: Question: And then on March 3rd there is another letter. Did you also review and pre- clear that letter? Answer: I reviewed the letter of March 3rd. Question: And was that meant to supplement the record on the Bond question? Answer: [Pause.] On which question? Question: On Senator Bond s question about the contacts and elaborate and ex pand the record as you just discussed was the intention of you and Mr. Altman to do? Ms. STRAUSS. I am confused about what question we are talking about- What question by Senator Bond and the contacts? Mr. CODINHA. The one we played- 519 Ms. STRAUSS. On how the White House was notified of the criminal referrals? Mr. Codinha resuming: Question: Yes. Answer: The March 3rd letter? Question: Yes. Answer- No. Question: And the March 11th letter, did you review and sign off on that one? Answer: No. Question: Did you ever attempt to supplement the record any more than you've described today? Answer- No. As I've stated, I expected there to he a full review of the transcript. I had understood from Mr. Harris on two occasions that there were going to be additional questions that were going to be furnished. I expected that both the record would be reviewed and additional questions received, and the record completed in full quickly. But because of the intervening events, that didn't happen. Question: And the "intervening events" you're describing are the Grand Jury's notification of subpoena? Answer: In particular, yes. And also Secretary Bentsen's commencement of Question: The OGE Answer [continuing): for the OGE investigation. Mr. CODINHA. I have no farther questions. Joe, do you want to inquire? And I take it that's the entire transcript. There's more transcript, but that's what we have transcribed at this time. Senator BOXER. Mr. Chairman, as the person who really asked the staff to do this, I want to say I'm extremely grateful to the staff for both sides, Legal Counsel, the staff, the court reporters because I think it's very important for Mr. 39999Altman and for Ms. Hanson that this be put in the record tonight, and I do appreciate, and I want to say to Mr. DAmato thank you, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, for doing this. A human life is at stake here in a lot of ways. Senator DAMATO. I am pleased we put so much into this. I don't think we have to read it all because the Chairman went to extraordinary lengths, but I would hope that he would have the balance entered in because I think it gives a full picture and I don't intend to editorialize. Senator BOXER. I so move we put the balance in the record. The CHAIRMAN. Absolutely. Senator KERRY. I want to ask the Counsel whether the question was asked why the letter didn't mention future information? Senator DODD. I'M sorry, John? Senator KERRY. Did the letter-was the question asked about Codinha, all the questions that were asked were right here? I thought more was to come. Codinha, I can't recall what he says. The CHAIRMAN. We'll have to see that tomorrow morning. We've gone as far as we can go this evening. I think we've had a full day by any measure, and I want to thank the staff particularly for their hard work and for the quick turnaround on this deposition. The Committee stands in recess. We'll resume tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m. in this room. (01:37:12) [Whereupon, at 1:40 a.m., the hearing was adjourned, to reconvene at 9:30 a.m., on Friday, August 5, 1994.1 (01:40:07)(tape #10103 ends)