"In a misguIded effort to free the hostages and finance the war against the Sandinistas,Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North of the National Security Council devised a complex scheme,which he and others tried to cover up. Until he was fired in 1986,the Marine lieutenant colonel known as 'Ollie' was the White House official most directly involved in secretly aiding the contras,SELLING ARMS TO IRAN, and diverting proceeds from the Iran arms sales to the contras.The deception by North and others led to joint congressional hearings,a presidential commission,an investigation by the Office of Independent Council,court trials,and three convictions.In the end,all participants received PRESIDENTIAL PARDONS."

(Part 2 - excerpted from "The Family" by Kitty Kelley)