August 3, 1994 - Part 5
August 3, 1994 - Part 5
(16:38:00) Hearings host DON BODE voice over segue back to Senate Banking Committee Hearings: The CHAIRMAN. Let's go ahead and restore Senator DAmato's time and then at the end of the statement, if the Members want to have a comment to make, we'll Mr. EGGLESTON. Mr. Chairman, I most definitely do have a comment to make at the conclusion of Mr. D'Amato's statement. Senator D'AMATO. Mr. Klein, in your deposition, you stated that you had discussions with Bernard Nussbaum, then-White House Counsel, concerning the possible recusal of Roger Altman from all RTC decisions involving the Madison case; is that correct? Mr. KLEIN. That is correct, sir, Senator DAMATO. In one of those discussions with Mr. Nussbaum, did you come to learn that Mr. Altman had had a meeting at the White House with several White House officials at which Mr. Altman 's recusal had been discussed? Mr. KLEIN. Yes, I did, sir. As I said in my opening testimony, approximately a week after the February 2nd meeting I learned of that fact, Senator DAMATO. Do you know whether White House officials advised Mr. Altman with respect to his decision to recuse himself in all RTC dealings in connection with Madison? Mr. KLEIN. I did not know, sir, no. Senator D'AmATo. You have a view about whether it was improper for the White House staff to advise Mr. Altman with respect to his decision to recuse on a matter that would affect Madison or Whitewater, Mr. KLEIN. In my opinion, the White House staff shouldn't advise Mr. Altman on that matter, sir. Senator DAMATO. Would it be imprudent? Mr. KLEIN. I think it would be imprudent. Senator DAMATO. You have a view whether it would be proper for White House staff to put pressure on a Government offical not ,to recuse himself? Mr. KLEIN. In a matter relating to the White House like this, I do have a view on that, sir. I think it would be improper to put Senator DAMATO. Did Mr. Nussbaum ever express a preference concerning whether Mr. Altman should recuse himself from RTC decisions involving Whitewater? Mr. KLEIN. He did discuss a preference with me, sir, yes. Senator D'AMATO. And what was that? Pressure on an official. Mr. KLEIN. He preferred that Mr. Altman not recuse himself. Senator DAMATO. And did he tell you why? Mr. KLEIN. He said that he preferred that because he thought that the politics were such. in other words, there were political con 102 siderations at this time, Ms. Rickie Tigert was before a Committee this was in early February, before a Committee and that Commit- tee or several Members of the Minority were trying to extract a blanket recusal.