August 1, 1994 - Part 3
August 1, 1994 - Part 3
(13:45:45) Ms. KuLKA. I don't know that anyone-I really don't even know if Mr. Altman knew the status of the case.Senator DAmATo. I'm not asking that. I said would you have approved it? I'm not asking you to get ahead or to try to anticipate what went on at that meeting. I said would you have approved a briefing to the White House or to any private party that disclosed the progress of a case under inquiry? Ms. KuLKA. I don't know what you mean by progress, sir. I don't mean to be argumentative, but our Q's and A's, I think, to some degree, were prepared to discuss some of the procedural aspects, if we were asked that by the Committee. If that is what you mean as progress, I think we would have been prepared to talk about the date that had been originally set for the expiration of the statute and tolling and so on. Senator D'AMATO. Didn't you prepare and send to the staff a memo of February 4, 1994, in which you instructed the RTC officials what areas they should not discuss? Ms. KULKA. That's correct. I did prepare one, and talked about what they were limited to discussing. Senator D'AmATo. Isn't it a fact that that February 4, 1994, memo does not authorize any discussions with non-RTC officials about the likelihood of requiring a tolling agreement from private Parties in the Madison case? Ms. KuLKA. It speaks for itself, sir, and I don't remember the words precisely. Senator D'AMATO. That's a fact. Isn't it a fact that your February 4, 1994, memo does not authorize any discussions with non-RTC of ficials about which particular RTC personnel were supervising the Madison investigation? Ms. KuLKA, I'm sorry, sir, but if 0 you's like to give it to me, I'll reread it. otherwise, you have it in front of ~ you, 'Senator Sarbanes. Mr. Chairman, if we re going to do this-is this Ms. Kulka's memo? ' Senator D'AMATO. Yes. February 4, 1994, and we have it, The CHAIRMAN. If you're asking to have it in front of you, I think You ought to be able to have it in front of you. Ms. KuLKA. I'm sorry to say I can't even read that. 62 Senator D'AMATO. Let's send one down--let's read them out loud, These are talking points for anyone authorized to discuss the Madi. son situation, additional information should not be supplied unless it has been properly approved. This is standard procedure and anyone authorized to speak should be aware that the discussion of any additional information could have an impact on the agency's legal position and any matters arising out of Madison. It's too bad that maybe they didn't have this before because, obviously, matters that are now rather contentious and the question of what they did speak about at that February 2, 1994, meeting could have been avoided. You have a list of eight different points., Does that refresh your recollection? Ms. KULKA. Yes, I have it in front of me now, sir. Senator D'AMATO. Isn't it a fact that the February 4, 1994, memo does not authorize any discussions with non-RTC officials about which particular RTC personnel were supervising the Madison investigation? Ms. KULKA. Unless it had been properly approved, sir. Senator D'AMATO. Correct. I yield the balance of my time to Senator Mack. Senator MACK. I thank my friend. How much time do you have left? Senator D'AMATO. I don't know. Three or 4 minutes. You can take it. Senator MACK, Mr. Roelle, you had testified that Mr. Stephen Katsanos informed you of a press inquiry regarding matters relating to Madison in October 1993, which is to say not September 1993, and didn't you then relay that information to Mr. Altman? Mr. RoELLE, Yes, sir. Senator MACK. Do you have any disagreement with the way I've laid out those dates? Mr. RoELLE. I don't recall exactly when I got the information from Mr. Katsanos. It was the E-mail that I referred to earlier in testimony today. I think be had forwarded a copy of it to me. Senator MACK. I think that was October 6, 1993, but I'm not positive. Mr. RoELLE. I had a subsequent normally scheduled meeting with the Treasury at Treasury. I related the fact that one of our Investigators had been questioned by a reporter regarding the criminal referrals. Senator MACK. What was Mr. Altman's response to that? Mr. ROELLE. He took it rather well. He didn't get upset and he didn't express any indignation. He just said thank you. Senator MACK. Was there any conversation with Ms. Hanson? Mr. ROELLE. Yes, he called Ms. Hanson on the phone and told her what I was telling you.