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 MONTOYA. And you went to work for the Republican National Committee in October and you worked with them and for them until January, is that correct, January 1972? Mr. McCORD. No sir, the relationship continued until June 1972. Senator MONTOYA. Then you were on their payroll at $600 a month? Mr. McCORD. Approximately. Senator MONTOYA. You hadn't mentioned this before, because I interrogated you about the payroll at the CRP. You were on their payroll, too, were you not? Mr. McCORD. Yes, sir, I mentioned these matters in the executive session to the investigators and I apologize if I appeared to mislead you. Senator MONTOYA. What was your salary with the CRP from January until June 17? Mr. McCORD. Gross salary was-- Senator MONTOYA. On a monthly basis. Mr. McCORD. Monthly basis, the net pay was about $1,250 Month. Senator MONTOYA. Who employed you at the Republican National Committee? Mr. McCORD. Mr. Barry Mountain (spells it) Senator MONTOYA. What is his capacity there or what was his capacity at that time? Mr. McCORD. Director of administration. Senator MONTOYA. And how long did you work for the Republican National Committee again? Mr. McCORD. I was on their payroll through some part of June, approximately the middle.
Watergate Hearings - Testimony of James McCord (Jim McCord) May 22, 1973
Senator MONTOYA. Now, you mentioned also that in December, some of you or all the defendants got together somewhere for a strategy meeting with respect to the trial, is that correct? Mr. James McCORD. I can't recall that testimony, sir. Senator MONTOYA. Did you get together at any time in December or before the trial with respect to a trial strategy? Mr. JIM McCORD. I think I know what you're referring to, yes sir I did. Senator MONTOYA. With the other defendants? Mr. McCORD. No sir, only a general discussion with Mr. Barker a day or two before the trial. Senator MONTOYA. And did you discuss anything there with respect to the offer of clemency or any help from the individuals at the White House or in Government or at the CRP (Committee to Re-Elect the President). Mr. McCORD. I can recall some conversations that took place at this meeting, in which Mr. Barker was talking about pleading guilty or not to plead guilty. I can't be sure whether Executive clemency was mentioned at that point in time. I think now it was. Senator MONTOYA. By whom? Mr. McCORD. By Mr. Barker, stating that Executive clemency had-- he understood it had been mentioned by Hunt or promised by Hunt. Senator MONTOYA. And were you in constant touch with Mr. Hunt during the course of the trial? Mr. McCORD. Not contact as such. I saw him during the first week of the trial, before be pled guilty. I did not see him thereafter. Senator MONTOYA. Now, there was an article, a statement by Mr. Caulfield on Saturday, and I'll read this statement quoting him. It was a press statement: "I have briefly reviewed Mr. McCord's statement before the Senate Select Committee, and while it does not fully reflect my best recollection of the events which took place between he and I during January of this year, it is true that I met with Mr. McCord on three occasions in January and conveyed to him certain messages from a high White House official." Now, do you have any dispute with that statement? Mr. McCORD. Do I have any what, sir? Senator Mr. MONTOYA. Dispute with that statement? Do you question the accuracy' of that statement? Mr. McCORD. He apparently has a separate recollection than I do, sir, from his statement, so there must be some differences of opinion as to what was said. I don't know what he might mean at this point in time. Senator MONTOYA. But in view of his statement, you still state that what you said to this committee was correct as far as you knew and as far as you recall? Mr. McCORD. It is accurate and correct to the best of my recollection, yes sir. Senator MONTOYA. Why did you turn down the overtures toward Executive clemency? Mr. McCORD. Well, there are a number of reasons. In the first place, I intended to plead not guilty. I intended to fight the case through the courts of appeal, I never had any intention of taking Executive clemency or pleading guilty, either; both of which were usually connected together when the terms were used. In other words, if you plead guilty, there will be Executive clemency offered to you. My basic position was essentially that I wouldn't even discuss it, either one. Senator MONTOYA. That is all, Mr. Chairman. [Senator Baker recesses the committee in Senator Ervin's absence--wide shot of front of committee table shows photographers in action, senators getting up to leave]