August 1, 1994 - Part 4
August 1, 1994 - Part 4
(15:40:37) Senator KERRY. Mr. Chairman, my time hadn't actually expired. This is within the scope that has been deferred by the Special Prosecutor, so I'm simply trying to guarantee what is already within the scope--I'm not trying to broaden it--this is actually within the scope already deferred. The reason I brine it up so strongly today is because Mr. Roelle has informed us and-confirmed that the prior White House had a direct contact with respect to criminal referrals at a time that is very troubling. I'm simply reacting to the evidence that has come forward in putting two and two together and sug- gesting that we ought to pursue it. It is within the scope. I would then defer to the Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Let me . just say that, the scope of future hearings as opposed to this set of hearings, I think, is yet to be defined. We'll take any and all suggestions, and we'll give those to the next Chairman, Senator Sarbanes. and that will happen, one suspects, on his watch. In any event, Senator Boxer Senator BENNETT. May I express the hope that it's Senator D'Amato. The CHAIRMAN. That's also a possibility. Senator BOXER. Your hope is so noted. I do want to talk a tiny bit more about the briefing of Senator DAmato's staff, which I never said was inappropriate. I want to make it clear, I don't know if it was inappropriate because I wasn't there. But, it took place and, Mr. Ryan, you testified it was rather unprecedented that it 92 would be, as you put it, called specifically for you yourself to come to such a meeting Was there anything else discussed there? In other words, Senator Kerry talked about ail the savings and loan's that lost billions of dollars for the taxpayers. Was there any discussion at that meeting by Senator DAmatos staff about any other savings and loan I let's' say in New York or Texas or California, or anywhere where there was a bigger loss to taxpayers, a discussion about the statute of limitations, tolling agreements, et cetera? Mr. RYAN. No, there was not. As I recall the conversation, it dealt principally with how the RTC was going to respond to information requests submitted by Senator DAmato relative to Madison. Senator BOXER. It was just about Madison. Mr. RYAN. That's correct. Senator BOXER. Nothing else was raised in that meeting. Mr. RYAN. That's all. Senator BOXER. How long did that meeting last, approximately? Mr. RYAN. Twenty minutes, half an hour, something like that. Senator BOXER. I would like to ask, Mr. Roelle, did you yourself ever see the criminal referrals or did someone just call you and summarize them? Mr. ROELLE. No, I've never seen them. Senator BOXER. Did Ms. Hanson ever see the criminal referrals, as far as you know? Mr. ROELLE. No. ma'am. Senator BOXER. Has Mr. Altman ever seen the criminal referrals, as far as you know? Mr. ROELLE. No, ma'am. Senator BOXER. My last question is to Ms. Kulka. As we all stated, you have a reputation as being a tough lawyer, and I think people on both sides have expressed, frankly, their admiration for that. Who hired you? Ms. KULKA. Mr. Altman. Senator BOXER. Did he ever discuss Madison with you before you were hired? Ms. KuLKA. No. Senator BOXER. Did he ever indicate be wanted you to go easy on the Madison case at any time? Ms. KULKA. No. Senator BOXER, Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. The CHAiRmAN. Thank you. Senator DAMATO. Mr. Chairman. The CHAIRMAN. Senator DAmato. Senator DAMATO. Let me go to the actual notes of the legislative aide who was there on behalf of Treasury and with Mr. Ryan, was Peter Knight. He said he wanted to express his concern that it not be used to show it was a briefing on Madison. I didn't prepare this. This was prepared by them to say exactly what it was. Further, Peter Knight wants to be sure that this meeting is not characterized as a briefing on Madison. I could go on-I want you-again, Peter Knight's memo clearly, clearly states that. We were interested, and the record will show' on the floor of the Senate on numerous times, here at the Commit 93 tee in open public hearings, in open letters, that I did not hide. The communications were open. We wanted to know whether and when the statute of limitations was going to toll. There was a question. Some thought it might be as late as August. I think you'll ascertain that was a question Mr. Natter, our Counsel, raised. He was told, eventually in a telephone conversation because counsel wasn't sure at that time or at least Mr. Ryan wasn't sure at that meeting, when it could toll.