The Iran-contra affair was reveled in November 1986 when Ronald Reagan come out and said that the U.S. had secretly sold weapons to Iran. The reason for this was to strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Iran. Also another motive was to motivate Iran to negotiate the release of seven American hostages in Lebanon that were being held by terrorists. So essentially the deal was a weapons for hostages deal. On November 25, 1986, Attorney General Edwin Meese said that some of the weapons profits had been used for Nicaraguan “contra” rebel, which had been outlawed. Former federal judge Lawrence E. Walsh was hired to investigate people involved in the weapons sale and the contra aid. One being Oliver North, a National Security Council staff member.
Regan later set up a review board lead by former senator John Tower. The Tower Commission report in February of 1987 that President Reagan’s policies were too reserved. Reagan didn’t disagree. Several Congressional Committees hade several joint televised hearings through much of 1987. They conveyed evidence that a few members of the National Security Council made Nicaragua and Iran policies and followed through with the help of operatives. These member lied saying that the contra only received a little of the money. John Poindexter, former national security advisor, allowed for money to be given to the contra. Former director of the CIA, William Casey, who died in May 1987, didn’t know how much he was involved. The Congressional Committees concluded that Reagan was to blame.
In 1988 the court case began. Robert McFarlane, Poindexter’s replacement pleaded guilty to criminal charges of keeping information from Congress of aid to the contras. McFarlane was fined S20,000 and given 2 years of probation. Later North and Poindexter, and two others were indicted on several charges, including conspiracy of the U.S. Government. In 1989 North was convicted on 3 of the 12 charges. He was fined $150,000 and a three year suspended sentence. Poindexter in 1990 was convicted on 5 charges and went to jail for 6 months. The cases were closed after the two men said that congressional information was used against them. In 1991, CIA chief of convert operations , Alan Fiers Jr. said he led about the involvement of the CIA. Clair E. George the CIA leader was indicted of lying under oath. In 1992 President George Bush pardoned everyone involved in the scandal. Former defense secretary Caspar Weinberger was charged with 56 counts of lying to Congress. Walsh released in 1994 that Bush and Reagan should have been charged criminally.
