The Watergate Scandal

The New York Times began publishing excerpts from a 47-volume classified Defense Department study of U.S. decision-making in Vietnam, leaked by former military analyst Daniel Ellsberg. It revealed that several administrations had misled the public about the war's progress and chances of success — a breach the Nixon White House treated less as a policy embarrassment than as a dangerous precedent about controlling secrets.

That reaction is what makes this the real starting point of Watergate. The alarm over this leak is what drove the White House to create its own leak-plugging unit weeks later, setting the whole chain of events in motion.

White House aides David Young and Egil Krogh drafted a memo arguing the administration needed its own unit to stop leaks like the Pentagon Papers, since Nixon didn't trust the FBI or CIA to pursue it aggressively enough. The unit took its name from its job — plugging leaks — and formally stood up three weeks later, on July 24, under Krogh, Hunt, and Liddy, supervised by Ehrlichman.

The Plumbers mattered because they normalized off-the-books operations answerable only to the White House. The same people and mindset carried directly into the Ellsberg break-in that September and, less than a year later, into the plan to bug the DNC's offices — making the Plumbers less a side story than Watergate's institutional origin.

E. Howard Hunt, a former CIA officer, is brought onto the White House staff, appointed by Charles Colson and John Ehrlichman. His first assignment will be a break-in at the office of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist.

President Nixon authorises White House Special Investigations Unit, Egil Krogh, Gordon Liddy, Howard Hunt and David Young supervised by Erlichman '...purpose to stop security leaks and investigate other sensitive security matters' (Pres. Nixon)

Nixon aides begin compiling a White House "enemies list," intended, in one participant's words, "to use the available federal machinery to screw our political enemies."

The Plumbers burglarize the Beverly Hills office of Dr. Lewis J. Fielding, the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers. The break-in yields nothing usable, but evidence of it later surfaces and causes a judge to dismiss all charges against Ellsberg.

At a meeting in Key Biscane, John Mitchell and Jeb Magruder discuss Liddy's plan to bug telephone of Larry O'Brien. Mitchell quoted by Magruder as saying "O.k., let's give him (Liddy) $250,000".

Liddy asks campaign treasurer Hugh Sloan for $83,000. Most of it will end up buying surveillance equipment for James McCord.

Liddy passes $65,000 of that money to McCord. By June 17, McCord will have received $76,000 in total for the operation.

J. Edgar Hoover, FBI director for nearly half a century, dies. L. Patrick Gray is named Acting Director — a distinction that matters later, since his nomination to the permanent post is withdrawn the following year.

A first break-in attempt at the DNC's offices in the Watergate complex fails when the team cannot force open the stairwell door.

A second attempt fails the next night for the same reason: they cannot pick the lock.

A third attempt succeeds. McCord, Barker, Martinez, Gonzalez and Sturgis get inside, photograph documents, and install wiretaps, then celebrate afterward with Hunt and Liddy, the operation's organizers.

The team returns to service the wiretaps, but a 24-year-old night guard, Frank Wills, notices for the second time that night that a stairwell door latch has been taped to keep it from locking. He calls the police, and McCord, Barker, Sturgis, Gonzalez and Martinez are arrested inside the building. Within hours, back at the White House, Jeb Magruder is already on the phone asking an assistant to clear potentially incriminating files out of his office — the first move in a two-year cover-up.

The Washington Post reports that James McCord was on the payroll of Nixon's re-election committee, and Hunt's name turns up in the address book of burglar Bernard Barker. The White House's story about Hunt shifts within hours — consultant, then not, then terminated months earlier. Meanwhile Counsel John Dean orders documents removed from Hunt's White House safe, files Magruder had pulled are quietly returned to him (an aide later testifies he believes they were destroyed), and Dean privately warns Attorney General Richard Kleindienst that "this matter could lead directly to the White House."

Dean examines the contents of Hunt's safe and finds a forged diplomatic cable and files on the Pentagon Papers and Ellsberg. He later testifies that Erlichman told him to destroy them.

Gordon Liddy tells campaign officials Frederick LaRue and Robert Mardian that the arrested men will need money for bail and their families; Mardian calls it blackmail and argues against paying. The same day, Magruder warns Sloan he may have to perjure himself about how much money Liddy received.

Alfred Baldwin, a lookout who monitored the wiretaps from a nearby hotel, begins cooperating with investigators to avoid prison — the first crack in the burglars' unity.

John Dean asks the CIA's Vernon Walters for money to help the burglars. Walters refuses, later saying he told Dean the agency had no involvement in the burglary and would not fund anyone's defense.

Magruder asks campaign aide Bart Porter to back up a cover story — that $100,000 given to Liddy had been for something "more legitimate-sounding than dirty tricks." Porter agrees.

Dean tells Nixon's personal attorney, Herbert Kalmbach, that the burglars need money. Finance chairman Maurice Stans gives Kalmbach $75,000, which he distributes as $40,000 to Hunt's wife Dorothy and $25,000 to attorney William Bittman — the first installment, by one account, of roughly $500,000 that eventually reaches the defendants and their lawyers.

LaRue advises Hugh Sloan to resign rather than perjure himself or take the Fifth Amendment. Sloan resigns the next day.

Another $40,000 moves from LaRue through Kalmbach to Anthony Anthony Ulasewicz, the courier who physically delivers much of the hush money.

Newsday reports that Liddy sacked because he refused to co-operate with FBI.

The Washington Post reports that a $25,000 check meant for the re-election committee has turned up in one of Barker's bank accounts.

Finance chairman Stans denies that any campaign contribution financed the break-in. The denial collapses the very next day, when campaign official Clark MacGregor admits Liddy did give Barker that $25,000 check — the first public confirmation that campaign funds paid for the burglary.

Coached by John Dean, Magruder commits perjury before the grand jury.

Nixon is renominated for president at the Republican National Convention, 1,347 votes to 1, the scandal still largely hidden from the public.

Kenneth Dahlberg testifies that he gave Barker a $25,000 check, though he cannot explain how Barker ended up with $114,000 in campaign funds altogether.

The Government Accountability Office refers violation of new Federal Election Campaign Act by FCRP to Justice Department. Violations involving upto $350,000, including $114,000 found in burglar Barker's account.

Kleindienst said investigation will be "the most extensive since the assassination of President Kennedy".

President Nixon announces that John Dean has carried an investigation into Watergate. "I can state categorically that his investigation indicates that no one in the White House Staff, no one in this administration,...was involved in this very bizarre incident". Later this report is denied by Dean, who claims that this was the first he had heard of it.

A federal grand jury indicts Frank Sturgis, Virgilio Gonzales, Eugenio Martinez, Bernard L. Barker, James W. McCord, E. Howard Hunt and Gordon Liddy — a group the press dubs the "Watergate Seven." (A second, unrelated group would be indicted under the same nickname eighteen months later for the cover-up itself.) The Justice Department states it has "absolutely no evidence to indicate that any others should be charged."

Ulasewicz delivers $53,000 to Dorothy Hunt and $29,000 to Frederick LaRue.

Woodward and Bernstein claim Operation Gemstone - intelligence gathering for the Republican party - was financed by a fund controlled by John Mitchell (Attorney General at the time).

The reporters' source — known only as "Deep Throat," and publicly identified only in 2005 as FBI Associate Director W. Mark Felt — tells Bernstein that the sabotage of Senator Edmund Muskie's campaign was a White House operation.

Woodward and Bernstein report Donald Segretti was being paid $20,000/year to sabotage Democrat campaign.

Seymour Hersh reports in NY Times on phone calls between Segretti and Hunt.

'Deep Throat' tells Woodward that H. R. Haldeman is a major figure in the cover-up.

Acting under doctor's orders, Judge Sirica postpones Watergate trial until January 8th, 1973.

Nixon defeats George McGovern. Elected with largest plurality of votes in American history. He captured 60.8% of the popular vote and 97% of the electoral vote.

Donald Segretti tells Carl Bernstein that Hunt and Liddy are behind dirty tricks against Democrats.

Hunt asks Colson for more money by 25th November 1972.

Nixon, Colson, Haldeman, and Erlichman meet at Camp David to discuss Hunt's 'blackmail' attempt.

Nixon demands resignation of Director of CIA, Richard Helms.

John Mitchell tells John Dean to give a part of $350,000 (kept in Hugh Sloan's office) to Hunt. Money is given to Frederick LaRue to organise transfer.

Judge declares a mistrial of Pentagon Papers trial due to the four month time lapse between seating of jury and start of trial.

Hunt's wife, Dorothy, dies in plane crash. her pocket book containing$10,000 in $100 bills is recovered.

During this period Hunt's incriminating documents are burned with the Christmas trash.

Trial of 7 burglars begins in Washington, under Judge John J. Sirica. Liddy and McCord convicted after trial, other 5 plead guilty.

Hunt takes an anonymous call in a pay phone near his home. He is told "A year is a long time. Your wife and family will be taken care of. You will be rehabilitated with employment when this is over". Dean told Caulfield to have this message delivered. Caulfield got Ulasewicz to do it.

Hunt promises burglars that they, and their families, will be looked after if they plead guilty.

Hunt pleads guilty. The same day, Senator Sam Ervin agrees to chair the Senate's investigation into Watergate.

Senator Sam Ervin agrees to head up the Senate's investigation of Watergate.

McCord and Liddy convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping at Watergate..

Sturgis, Gonzalez, Martinez and Barker plead guilty. They deny being threatened into such a plea.

Second Ellsberg-Russo trial starts in LA.

Magruder's testifies that the money was given to Liddy for intelligence operations.

Sloan testifies that Mitchell and Stans approved payment to him of $199,000, which Magruder directed him to give to Liddy.

'Deep Throat' tells Woodward that Colson and Mitchell were behind the Watergate operation.

CRP (Committee for the Re-Election of the President) is fined $8,000 for 8 campaign violations, including failure to report money given to Liddy by Sloan.

Senate votes 70 - 0 to set up a Select Committee on Presidential Campaign Activities, under Sam Ervin.

Dean later testifies that today he told the President of his own role in the cover-up. He alleges that the President said "not to worry".

During hearings, Gray reveals he provided John Dean with daily updates on Watergate intelligence. And that Dean had probably lied to FBI investigators.

Policy statement says that members and formal members of his staff "normally shall decline a request for a formal appearance before a committee of the Congress.".

McCord writes to Judge Sirica claiming guilty pleas made under pressure from Dean and Mitchell and that burglary was not a CIA activity.

$75,000 from LaRue to Hunt.

Concerned that the President does not fully realise the size of the problem, Dean gives him a wide ranging review of the situation.

He tells Nixon 'their is a cancer on the Presidency' and it needed to be cut out immediately.

He also tells him that the burglars will cost a million dollars. Nixon response is 'I know where it could be gotten'.
DeanCancerShort.mp3

McCord testifies that he was told by Liddy Watergate had been approved by Mitchell while he was still Attorney General.

White House Counsel, John Dean agrees to co-operate with Watergate prosecutors.

Jeb Magruder claims Dean and Mitchell organized the bugging and payoff scheme.

Nixon statement claims no prior knowledge of Watergate.

Claims Gray destroyed documents in Hunt's White House safe. Including, fabricated cables implicating Pres. Kennedy in assassination of Ngo Dinh Diem (President of S. Viet Nam), and other documents about Edward Kennedy. Gray later admits to doing this.

'Deep Throat' confirms story about Gray destroying documents. Says that Erlichman and Dean gave instructions for document disposal.

Gray resigns after exposure of destroying Hunt's files. New FBI director is to be William Ruckelshaus

Nixon dismisses Dean; Haldeman and Erlichman resign.

Senate Watergate Committee begins hearings.

Archibald Cox appointed to investigate possible presidential impropriety.

Dean claims Nixon participated in cover-up. Claims they discussed it at least 35 times.

Also suggests Nixon might have been taping conversations.

Pres. Nixon says he will not testify or grant access to Presidential documents.

Alexander Butterfield, former presidential appointments secretary, tells committee that all conversations and phone calls have been taped since 1971.

Nixon orders White House taping system disconnected.

Cox and Ervin "demand" a number of tapes and documents.

Nixon refuses to surrender tapes and requested documents to Senate Watergate Committee or the special prosecutor.

Cox and Ervin request Supreme Court to instruct President to hand over tapes.

Vice President Spiro Agnew pleads no contest in charge of tax avoidance, and resigns.

Gerald Ford nominated by President Nixon as Vice-President.

Nixon tells A-G Elliot Richardson to sack investigator Cox. He refuses and resigns. Deputy A-G, William Ruckelshaus, then told to do so. Also refuses and is sacked. Finally, acting A-G Robert Bork fires Cox.

Nixon agrees to release some of the tapes, and begins doing so..

Jaworski appoint the new special prosecutor.

Nixon delivers "I am not a crook" speech, at press conference in Disney World, Florida.

Watch the clip here.

Gap found in conversation between Nixon and Haldeman on 20th June 1972. Nixon's secretary, Rose Mary Wood, denies deliberately erasing tape.

Nixon campaign aide, Herbert Porter, pleads guilty to perjury.

House of Representatives votes to allow House Judiciary Committee to investigate if grounds exist for impeachment of President.

Herbert Kalmbach pleads guilty to 2 charges of illegal campaign activities.

'Watergate Seven' indicted.

Dwight Chapin convicted of perjury.

Nixon releases edited transcripts of tapes, but House Judiciary Committee insists they want actual tapes.

First edition of Woodward and Bernstein's book published.

The Supreme Court votes 8 - 0 to uphold Special Prosecutors subpoena ordering President Nixon to make tapes available for trials of Watergate accused.

Richard Nixon charged with obstruction of investigation of Watergate break-in. Vote 27 - 11 .

Transcripts of Nixon-Haldeman Watergate tapes prove that Nixon ordered a cover-up of burglary 6 days after break-in.

Resignation of President on televised address to nation. Gerald Ford becomes President.

President Gerald Ford announces 'full free and absolute' pardon for Nixon, 'for all offences against the United States' between 20th January 1969 and 9th August 1974.

Mitchell, Erlichman and Haldeman convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice and perjury