Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (2/2)
Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, June 29, 1973 (2/2)
[01.03.51-IN to Sam DASH discussing documentation of DEAN'S trusteeship of campaign funds, related to Fred THOMPSON'S questioning of DEAN] Mr. DASH.----it is true that we, did receive the photostatic copies of currency and Mr. Thompson does know about it, because I have shown him that file. Mr. SHAFFER. I am sorry. I did not know whether he knew about it or not. Mr. THOMPSON. I received some of these documents belatedly and much later than Mr. Dash, quite frankly---- Mr. SHAFFER. I have no problem with it. [01.04.13--Sen. ERVIN has had enough of this B.S. about the money!] Senator ERVIN. If I could ask a question or so here, I might shorten some of this. Mr. Dean, did anybody know that you had taken out the $4,850 out of this money except yourself? Mr. DEAN. No, sir, they did not. [01.04.31] Senator ERVIN. If you had wanted to deceive anybody about it, what would have prevented you from getting $4,850 and replacing it? Mr. DEAN. Nothing Senator ERVIN. And the, first man that knew that you had used the $4,850 was your lawyer? Mr. DEAN. That is correct, and I told him that, I wanted to reveal that fact to the government also. Senator ERVIN. And your lawyer advised you to issue a, new check. Did he give as a reason the fact that banks sometimes refuse to cash checks unless they are presented within a reasonable time after they are dated? Mr. DEAN. That is precisely the reason that he gave me. [01.05.08] Mr. SHAFFER. I object to that. The reason I gave him was that he told me the check was made to cash and it had to be made to me and Hogan as trustees. Mr. DEAN. You also said that it had to be a current check. Mr. SHAFFER. Well, all right, you remember that. Senator ERVIN. If you had the desire to deceive anybody, all you would have had to do was get the $4,850 in cash and taken and added the, money to the balance that you had in the safe. Mr. DEAN. That is correct, Mr. Chairman. Senator ERVIN. But the first man you told that, you had used the money was Mr. Shaffer? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. [01.05.43] Senator ERVIN. Instead of concealing the transaction by restoring the cash, you gave him a check paid to him and he deposited it in a trust account? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. Senator ERVIN. Together with the other money? Mr. DEAN. That is correct. Senator ERVIN. Making the amount of money the total amount, that was originally delivered to you? Mr. DEAN. That, is correct, I was quite aware of the, fact that obviously this is a great personal embarrassment and a rather unwise move, but I didn't want to hide. the, facts from this committee on what, I had done. Mr. THOMPSON. Mr. Dean, if I might ask you one more question with regard to the, checking account on which you drew this cheek; you drew the check on April 12, would that be correct? Mr. DEAN. I believe there were two checks. I don't have, those records in front, of me now. Mr. THOMPSON I have here in your bank account an indication that April 12 was the first day for some time, evidently, that you had enough money in your checking account for this check to clear? Mr. DEAN. When I realized it, I called him and had my broker send down the amount Of money necessary to cover the check. Mr. THOMPSON. You were, not, advised by anyone that, it would either be wise or the thing to do with regard to the destruction Of your check, is that correct? You did that of your own Volition? Mr. DEAN. As I say, I told- Mr. THOMPSON. I am sorry, 'Mr. Dean, you can explain in as great detail as you would like. Mr. DEAN. No, no one told me it, would be, wise or Mr. THOMPSON. All right. That is all. Senator ERVIN. Any other questions of any members of this committee? [No response.] Senator ERVIN. -Mr. -Dean. the committee has a rule that a witness can make a, closing statement. We will afford You that, opportunity just as we afforded it, to other witnesses. [01.07.52] Senator BAKER. Let me do this first, Mr. Chairman. It might be that Mr. Dean would want to comment on it before he makes his closing Statement. Senator ERVIN. OK, fine. Senator BAKER. I indicated earlier in the hearings that Congressman Garry 'Brown had written a letter to the committee and was preparing to submit a Sworn statement, I did not at that time. have in hand the letter from Congressman Brown. It had been inadvertently misplaced. I now have a copy and if there, is no objection, 'Mr. Chairman, I'll read it. Also, if there is no objection, we will. receive the, Statement under oath of Mr. -Brown as to the letter. Dear Mr. Chairman: Late Yesterday afternoon upon learning of the statement given to your committee by John W. Dean, III in which he implicated me and members of the Banking and Currency Committee in what he has alleged was a "coverup" of the Watergate matter and other improper conduct, I immediately dictated a letter to You demanding That I be given an opportunity to appear before your committee mid respond to, deny, and rebut Mr. Dean's allegations. [01.09.05]