Watergate Hearings - Testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) May 22, 1973
Watergate Hearings - Testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) May 22, 1973
Watergate Hearings - Senate Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 22, 1973 - testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) Caucus Room, Russell Senate Office Building, Washington DC
Watergate Hearings - Testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) May 22, 1973
Senator Howard BAKER (R-TN). Thank you Senator Weicker. It's 12:20 now, the Chairman found it necessary to leave for other important business. I would like to continue with Mr. McCord to finish the questioning with Senator Montoya, which I hope we can conclude around 12:30 and then to ask Mr. McCord to return at 2:00 when the committee will reconvene when I understand that both Majority and Minority council may have some additional questions, but I hope we're coming close to the end of your rather extended testimony. Mr. James McCORD. Thank you now. Senator BAKER. Senator Montoya. Senator Joseph MONTOYA (D-NM). Thank you Mr. Chairman. Mr. McCord, with respect to your suspicion that your phone had been tapped at your home, did you conduct any investigation around your premises to determine whether there was actually phone tap? Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. Senator MONTOYA. And what did you find? Mr. McCORD. I had some equipment in September 1972, normally when you go through a particular procedure with it, if there is an extension, a telephone extension off of the phone that you're testing or if certain types of devices are being used on the line, there is an alarm that is sounded, somewhat like a buzzer. And I would make these tests periodically through the fall of the year and it would go into alarm during some of the tests. There were also many phone calls that had some very unusual things that occurred when the call would come in, which we would hear extensions being picked up shortly after the calls. Senator MONTOYA. Then permit me to ask you this question, then on the basis of your investigation are you concluding definitely that your phone had been tapped? Mr. McCORD. I had no doubt then sir and I have no doubt now. Senator MONTOYA. And were you also under the impression that as you spoke to other parties that your conversations may have been recorded, during the time you communicated with anybody? Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. Senator MONTOYA. About this case? Mr. McCORD. About this case? Senator MONTOYA. Yes. Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. Senator MONTOYA. On how many occasions did you suspect this or were you certain that this occurred? Mr. McCORD. I would say at least a half a dozen times, perhaps more during September and October particularly of '72. Senator MONTOYA. And when you mentioned the occurrence of these things to Mr. Caulfield, I believe you indicated that you cited only two instances. Mr. McCORD. I referred to two specific calls I was concerned about, but I told him also about all of these other things that had been happening that lead me to believe that the phones were tapped. Senator MONTOYA. Did you complain to anyone else? Mr. McCORD. Some very loud complaints to my lawyer. (Mr. Fensterwald laughing) In terms of filing motions to Mr. Bitman when I discussed it with him. Senator MONTOYA. Did you allege these occurrences in your motions? Mr. McCORD. Yes sir.
Watergate Hearings - Testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) May 22, 1973
Senator MONTOYA. With respect to your statements on your previous testimony that you were under the impression that the President knew of the clemency offer, would you please refresh my memory as to the actual conversations that led you into this belief. Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. The information and knowledge that led me to believe that stemmed from conversations with Mr. Liddy, Gordon Liddy in January and February of 1972, in which he told me about the meetings with the Attorney General in the Attorney Generals offices with Mr. Dean present which the operation was deliberated he stated at length, that the pros and cons of the operation were discussed by those present. Presumably meaning the advantages and disadvantages of them, what appeared to be the deliberate consideration, the careful consideration given to the operation by the attorney general. I believe I stated that there was a 30 day delay, which to me seemed quite significant. I believe I stated that the Attorney General was in my opinion a very decisive man. Senator MONTOYA. Mr. McCord, I don't know whether you understood my question ... (older man court reporter recording testimony, Senator Montoya seated at committee table behind him) Mr. McCORD. Alright sir. Senator MONTOYA. But, we're going back to January of 1972 and relating what transpired there. My question was, what led you to believe that the offer of clemency had the endorsement or the approval of the President? Mr. McCORD. I'm sorry sir I misunderstood the question. The statements from Mr. Caulfield to me. Senator MONTOYA. Would you relate those statements again. Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. Mr. Caulfield stated that he was carrying the message of executive clemency to me ... Senator MONTOYA. Did he state so specifically? Mr. McCORD. Yes sir. "From the very highest levels of the White House" these were his exact words. He stated that the President of the United States was in Key Biscayne, Florida that weekend, had been told of the forthcoming meeting with me .... (Testimony Ends Abruptly)