Oliver North

Oliver Laurence North (b. October 7 1943) is an American Conservative political commentator. He achieved the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Marine Corps, and rose to national prominence because of the Iran-Contra Affair, during which he was a key official in the clandestine selling of weapons to Iran in order to earn money for the Contras during U.S. President Ronald Reagan's administration.

Iran-Contra Affair

North became famous due to his participation in the Iran-Contra Affair, in which he was the chief coordinator of the illegal sale of weapons via intermediaries to Iran, with the profits being channeled to the Contra rebel group in Nicaragua. He was responsible for the establishment of a covert network used for the purposes of aiding the Contras.

Related Topics:
Iran - Contra rebel group - Nicaragua

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In November 1986, North was fired by President Reagan, and in July 1987 he was summoned to testify before televised hearings of a joint Congressional committee formed to investigate Iran-Contra. During the hearings, he admitted that he had lied to Congress, for which he was later charged. He defended his actions by stating that he believed in the goal of aiding the Contras, whom he saw as "freedom fighters," and said that he viewed the illegal Iran-Contra scheme as a "neat idea."

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North was tried in 1988 in relation to his activities while at the National Security Council. He was indicted on sixteen felony counts and on May 4, 1989, he was convicted of three: accepting an illegal gratuity, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destruction of documents (by his secretary, Fawn Hall, on his instructions). He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell on July 5, 1989, to a three-year suspended prison term, two years probation, $150,000 in fines, and 1,200 hours community service.

Related Topics:
May 4 - 1989 - Fawn Hall - July 5

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However, on July 20, 1990, a three-judge appeals panel overturned North's conviction in advance of further proceedings on the grounds that his public testimony may have prejudiced his right to a fair trial.

Related Topics:
July 20 - 1990

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http://www.picard.tnstate.edu/~cmcginnis/PISI431-I.htm The Supreme Court declined to review the case, and Judge Gesell dismissed the charges on September 16, 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of the independent counsel.

Related Topics:
Supreme Court - September 16 - 1991

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Essentially, North's convictions were overturned because he had been granted limited immunity for his Congressional testimony, and this testimony was deemed to have influenced witnesses at his trial.

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