March 16, 1988 - Poindexter and North Indicted on Charges Related to Iran Contra
Former National Security Advisor John M. Poindexter and his aide, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North are indicted on charges of conspiracy to defraud the United States. The indictments come after the federal government's sale of arms to Iran, and the diversion of proceeds to the support of insurgent Contras in Nicaragua. Although Poindexter and North will be found guilty on a number of felony charges, both men will see their criminal convictions overturned on appeal, in part due to violations of their Fifth Amendment rights against self-incrimination through indirect use of immunized congressional testimony.
Related resources:
- Audio: Domestic Spying: What are the Checks on Presidential Power? (Justice Talking)
- The Iran-Contra Affair (PBS)
- The Iran Contra Affair 20 Years On (National Security Archive)
- Fifth Amendment Right Against Self-Incrimination (FindLaw)
