Testimony of Gerald Alch - Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973
Testimony of Gerald Alch - Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973
Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973 - Testimony of Gerald Alch United States Senate Caucus Room, Washington DC
Testimony of Gerald Alch - Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973
Senator MONTOYA. And did you ask Mr. McCord when you told him this who might be calling him that night? Mr. ALCH. I did not. Senator MONTOYA, Did you speculate as to what the call might be? Mr. ALCH. Yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. what did you speculate to him about? Mr. ALCH. The purpose - I didn't speculate to him. I speculated in my own mind that the purpose might be to allay his fears. Senator MONTOYA. Now, after Mr. McCord spoke to this alleged friend, did you ask him the next day what the call was about? Mr. ALCH. No, sir, it didn't come up the next day. It was some days later, and I don't exactly recall how many days it was. Senator MONTOYA. And you had no curiosity in your mind about this thing at all? Mr. ALCH. No, sir. I was preparing a case; we were selecting a jury I had my hands full. Senator MONTOYA. All right, now, when you discussed - or did you discuss with Mr. Bittman the offer of clemency? Mr. ALCH. In the context that I have described, yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. Do you believe or did you have reason to believe Mr. Bittman was serious about this offer of clemency? Mr. ALCH. In my opinion, he was not.
Testimony of Gerald Alch - Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973
Senator MONTOYA. Did you discuss with Mr. McCord the possibilities of clemency in the event that he should plead guilty? Mr. ALCH. No, sir, the only time I discussed clemency with him was when I relayed to him my discussion with Mr. Bittman, and I told him in words or substance, don't rely on it because it won't happen. Senator MONTOYA. Now, at the time that you were advised the Mr. Hunt would plead guilty, did you ever entertain the notion, or was there ever any discussion to the effect that the plea would be in exchange for a later grant of Executive clemency? Mr. ALCH. No, sir, because the reason given to me by Mr. Bittman was that Mr. Hunt was so emotionally upset over the death of his wife that he simply could not stand the rigors of the trial. That is what was told to me. Senator MONTOYA. Were you aware or did you have any suspicions that Mr. McCord or any of the defendants were being offered clemency in exchange for a plea of guilty? Mr. ALCH. No, sir. Senator MONTOYA. Were you aware of any interest on the part of any people at the White House that in the event Mr. McCord would plead guilty, there would be some favoritism with respect or in the direction of clemency from the White House? Mr. ALCH. No, sir, I don't know anybody at the White House.
Testimony of Gerald Alch - Watergate Hearings: Senate Select Committee Hearings on Presidential Campaign Activities, May 24, 1973
Senator MONTOYA. Now, I recognize the two positions taken here from the testimony of Mr. McCord and you. Mr. ALCH. Yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. Now, Mr. McCord has already pleaded guilty or has been found guilty by the court and jury, and he is up for sentencing. He has nothing at stake now except waiting for the mercy of the judge in the sentencing procedure. Now, there is this obvious contradiction in the testimony. And I see that Mr. McCord's testimony will serve him no further except to say the truth. Now, you have denied his testimony in your statement. My question to you is what would be the consequences to you as an attorney should the McCord allegations be found to be true? Mr. ALCH. Are you talking about the allegations that I - Senator MONTOYA. With respect to you. Mr. ALCH. Well, what specific allegations? All allegations which I have denied, 1 say are not true. Senator MONTOYA. Now, you have an interest in trying to dispel the veracity of Mr. McCord's allegations in that if they would be found to be true or credible, you would be subject to some ethical some reprisals - from some grievance committee or from a court; would that not be true? Mr. ALCH. Perhaps, as I look upon it now. My immediate reaction when I heard them, Senator, was that the man is telling things about me that are not true, that accuse me of improper, illegal conduct, and I want an opportunity to refute those allegations. Senator MONTOYA. So you have a very specific interest - with which I do not quarrel - in appearing before this committee to dispel what has been said about you by way of casting aspersions on your integrity? Mr. ALCH. Yes, sir. Senator MONTOYA. That is all.