American Notes IRAN-CONTRA

Less than a week before he was scheduled to face trial on felony charges relating to his activities in the Iran-contra scandal, Richard Secord copped a plea. The retired Air Force Major General admitted that he had lied to congressional investigators when he denied knowing that $13,800 from the Iran arms-sales deal went to pay for a security system at Oliver North's home.

"I wanted to prevent further criticism of Colonel North and myself," he explained to a judge. "There had already been a fire storm in the press. I was trying to shield both of us." Though Secord won dismissal of eleven other counts lodged by independent counsel Lawrence Walsh in exchange for the plea bargain, he could be sentenced to a $250,000 fine and five years in prison.