WATERGATE SCANDAL

Watergate Scandal

Watergate Scandal

Introduction

Watergate scandal was the 1970 American scandal resulting from political split in Democratic National Committee headquarters at Watergate office complex in Washington, DC effects of scandal ultimately led to resignation of President of United States Richard Nixon, August 9, 1974, first and only resignation of any U.S. president. It also resulted in indictment, trial, conviction and imprisonment of several Nixon administration officials.



Historical overview

Affair began with arrest of five men for breaking and entering in Democratic National Committee headquarters at Watergate complex on June 17, 1972. FBI linked burglars to payments to the slush fund used by 1972 Committee to re-elect President. As evidence mounted against President's staff, which included former staff members testifying against them in an investigation by Senate Watergate Committee, it was revealed that President Nixon had the tape recording in their offices and had recorded many conversations. Tape recordings of this involved president, revealing that he had tried to cover up theft. After the series of legal battles, U.S. Supreme Court ruled that president had to surrender tapes, which ultimately met.

Faced with almost certain impeachment in House of Representatives and the strong possibility of the conviction in Senate, Nixon resigned office of presidency on August 9, 1974. His successor, Gerald Ford, issued the pardon to President Richard Nixon after his resignation.

On night of June 17, 1972, Frank Wills, the security guard at Watergate complex, said tape covering locks secure several doors in complex (leaving door open.) He removed tape, and thought nothing of it. An hour later, he discovered that someone was recapping locks. Wills called police and five men were arrested inside (DNC) Democratic National Committee office. Five men were Virgilio González, Bernard Barker, James W. McCord, Jr., Eugenio Martinez and Frank Sturgis. five were charged with attempted burglary and attempted interception of telephone and other communications. On 15 September, the grand jury indicted them and two other men (E. Howard Hunt, Jr. and G. Gordon Liddy) for conspiracy, theft and violation of federal wiretapping laws.

Outcome of cover-up began immediately after arrests, finding hotel rooms at thieves' and the background investigation of initial testing, more prominent thousands of dollars in cash in his possession at time of arrest. On June 19, 1972, was publicly revealed that one of Watergate burglars was the security adviser to Republican Party. Former Attorney General John Mitchell, who at time was head of Nixon's campaign for re-election, ...