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Oliver Laurence North
Former NSC Staff, Convicted Iran-Contra Figure
Iran-Contra Operator, Arms Dealer, Pardoned Felon
Overview
Oliver North is a former Marine Lieutenant Colonel who became the central figure in the Iran-Contra scandal. He orchestrated the illegal sale of arms to Iran and diversion of proceeds to Nicaraguan Contra rebels in violation of congressional bans. His convictions were overturned on technicality due to immunized testimony. He later became an NRA president and Fox News host, turning treason into a media career.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
IRAN-CONTRA SCANDAL: Orchestrated illegal arms sales to Iran, diverted proceeds to Contras in violation of Boland Amendment
ILLEGAL ARMS SALES: Sold 2,500+ TOW missiles and HAWK missiles to Iran (state sponsor of terrorism)
CONTRA FUNDING: Funneled $3.8 million to Nicaraguan rebels despite congressional prohibition
DOCUMENT SHREDDING: Destroyed thousands of documents with secretary Fawn Hall before investigation
CONVICTED FELON: Found guilty of aiding obstruction of Congress, destroying documents, accepting gratuity
CONVICTIONS OVERTURNED: Escaped on technicality because immunized congressional testimony may have influenced trial
REAGAN PROTECTION: Took fall for Reagan administration, testified"I was authorized to do everything I did"
CASH IN OFFICE SAFE: Kept operational funds in office safe for covert operations
NRA PRESIDENT: Led NRA during period of mass shootings, forced out amid internal scandal
PROFITED FROM TREASON: Made millions from books, speeches, and media career after scandal
Related Investigations (7)
Iran-Contra Arms Trafficking ScandalConstitutional Crisis
Tier 1
criticalCIA Coups & Regime ChangeCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalCIA Drug TraffickingMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
criticalGrenada Invasion: Operation Urgent FuryMilitary & Foreign Policy
Tier 1
highIran-Contra Affair: Arms, Drugs, and the Subversion of DemocracyGovernment Corruption
Tier 1
criticalIran-Contra AffairIntelligence & Covert Operations
Tier 1
criticalPanama Invasion: Operation Just CauseCriminal Justice
Tier 1
criticalCriminal Charges & Violations
6 documented violations
18 U.S.C. § 1505Aiding and Abetting Obstruction of Congress (CONVICTED, reversed)(Obstruction)
18 U.S.C. § 1001Making False Statements (CONVICTED, reversed)(Federal)
18 U.S.C. § 641Receiving Illegal Gratuity (CONVICTED, reversed)(Federal)
Boland AmendmentViolation of Congressional Prohibition on Contra Aid(Federal)
Arms Export Control ActIllegal Arms Sales to Iran(Federal)
18 U.S.C. § 1519Destruction of Documents(Obstruction)
Known Associates & Connections
Ronald Reagan
President during Iran-Contra, denied knowledge
George H.W. Bush
Vice President, pardoned co-conspirators
John Poindexter
National Security Advisor, supervisor, convicted
Fawn Hall
Secretary who shredded documents
Caspar Weinberger
SecDef, pardoned by Bush before trial
Sources & Documentation
6 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- October 7, 1943
- Birthplace
- San Antonio, Texas, USA
- Also Known As
- Ollie, The Fall Guy, American Hero (self-styled)
Education
- •B.S., United States Naval Academy (1968)
Key Timeline
October 7, 1943
Born in San Antonio, Texas
1968
Graduates Naval Academy, commissioned in Marines
1968-1969
Serves in Vietnam, wounded twice, Silver Star recipient
1981
Joins NSC staff under Reagan administration
1984
Boland Amendment prohibits aid to Contras
1985
Begins arranging arms sales to Iran through Israel
1985-1986
Diverts Iran arms sale proceeds to Contra rebels
November 1986
Iran-Contra scandal breaks publicly
November 1986
Shreds thousands of documents with Fawn Hall
November 1986
Fired from NSC by Reagan
July 1987
Televised congressional testimony, becomes folk hero to some
1988
Indicted on 16 felony counts
May 1989
Convicted on 3 of 12 charges
1990
Receives suspended sentence, probation, community service
July 1990
Convictions overturned on appeal due to immunized testimony
1991
All charges dismissed
1994
Runs for Virginia Senate, loses
2001-2018
Fox News host and contributor
2018-2019
NRA President, forced out amid internal scandal
Present
Continues media career, never held accountable