July 20, 1995 - Part 1
July 20, 1995 - Part 1
(09:50:29) The CHAIRMAN. At the conclusion of yesterday's public session, we spent some time discussing how to get this information or see whether it has any relevance to Whitewater. So we've asked counsel to attempt to work this out so that we would not be forced to consider other measures. I hope that we would be able to work this out in a cooperative manner. OPENING COMMENTS OF SENATOR CHRISTOPHER J. DODD Senator DODD. Mr. Chairman, I'd like to underscore the comments made by Senator Sarbanes and yourself here. I think it is important that we try to reach an agreement. I think we can. My own view-and I don't have all the numbers in front of me, but I think it's important. I think Members here will agree we've had a very cooperative White House on these matters. Literally thousands of documents and pages have been turned over. I think, again, looking at this thing stepping back, putting aside the particular issue here in front of us, there's an obvious-and would be by any Administration in the White House-trying to make sure, not just in their case, but precedent setting in terms of documents and what gets revealed and so forth. That's a normal and expected response, but. I'm impressed with the fact that the White House clearly does want to see us be able to work this out in a way so our counsel and someone can make decisions here so we're not left with the unanswered questions of 146 what's not on those papers, particularly if it's not relevant. If, not relevant, we can say that and move on. I applaud the efforts 11 here and hope by Tuesday we can work something out so this" comes a non-issue. The CHAIRMAN. We have two capable counsels and, if it can be done, I'm sure they will be able to work this out. I hope can we do this and dispel the open questions. I call our first panel: Sergent Cheryl Braun, Detective John Rolla, Major Robert Hines. Sergeant Braun, good to see you again. We apologize for keeping you. I guess we thought we'd get you on 2 days ago, but I'm glad you're here. If you have an opening statement, we'd be pleased to take it. Ms. BRAUN. Good morning, Chairman. I have a brief introduc- tion. Senator DODD. Could you bring that microphone a little closer to you, Sergeant? Thank you. SWORN TESTIMONY OF CHERYL A. BRAUN SERGEANT, U.S. PARK POLICE Ms. BRAUN. Good morning, Mr. Chairman and Members of Committee, I am Sergeant Cheryl Braun with the U.S. Park Polk, I have been a member of the U.S. Park Police for 10 years. During the course of my career, I was assigned for 6 years to the Balti- more/Washington Parkway as a patrol officer. My next assignment was just under 2 years in duration as a plainclothes investigator in the Criminal Investigations Branch. In August 1993, 1 was promoted to the rank of sergeant and as- signed to the Baltimore/Washington Parkway. In May 1994, 1 was assigned to the Crime and Violence Task Force, which worked the Fifth District of Washington, DC. In October 1994, the Crime and Violence Task Force ended and I was reassigned to the Central District, which works the downtown and Mall area of Washington, DC. My current assignment is as a squad sergeant at the Central District. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from University of Maryland. In 1985, 1 attended and completed Prince George's County Police Academy and the Federal Law enforcement Training Center for basic police training. In 1990, 1 tended the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center for the Criminal Investigators School. During my career, I received train- ing on child abuse investigation, robbery and burglary investiga- tion, a homicide seminar through the Harvard and Police Associ- ates and other police patrol-related training. Thank you. The CHAIRMAN. Detective Rolla. SWORN TESTIMONY OF JOHN C. ROLLA DETECTIVE, U.S. PARK POLICE Mr. ROLLA. How are you? This is just an introduction basically My name is John C. Rolla. I joined the U.S. Park Police in 19 I hold the rank of detective in the Criminal Investigations Br where I have been assigned since 1988. 1 have served in the cotics and Vice Unit, and I have been assigned to a Drug En 0 ment Task Force for 2 years. 147 I received specialized training at the FBI Academy and have worked on a number of high-level drug conspiracy cases and smuggling operations. I was promoted to plainclothes investigator in 1990. 1 have completed specialized training courses in narcotics investigation and criminal investigation at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Glynco, Georgia, as well as homicide investigation courses throughout the Washington, DC Metropolitan area and Metro Dade Police Department in Florida. Presently I am assigned to the Major Crimes Section of the U.S. Park Police Criminal Investigations Branch.