User:Gene Boyce

The complete story of discovery of Nixon's tape recordings on Friday, July 13th, 1973 has never been disclosed. One may see and hear the story online at carolinajournal.com in a luncheon talk videotaped in September 2011. Google "Gene Boyce" or "Eugene Boyce."

One of the four of Sen. Ervin's investigation teams was Majority Counsel Gene Boyce, Minority Counsel Don Saunders, a Staff Investigator Scott Armstrong and Stenographer/Reporter Mary Ann Brazer. Alexander Butterfield, by then appointed head of the FAA, was one of about 12 White House and CREEP witnesses on my routine, random selected assigned witness list. I had him subpoenaed for the morning of Friday, July 13th, 1973 but he requested postponement to the afternoon to meet first with new White House Counsel, Fred Butzhart.

Time Magazine later reported revelation of Nixon's taping system resulted in response to a "throw-away question." Not true.

In prior interview, John Dean recounted the occasion of Nixon in the Oval Office asking him only  "yes-no" like he was "tape recording me."

The second lead came from my subpoena to get Nixon's daily Appointment Calendar. We wanted to know his meeting dates. durations and all who attended each meeting. Butzhart complied with my request but, surprisingly gave a summary of what was discussed on each occasion going back 18 months and more.

We had also previously learned Nixon kept no diary or notes. His only personal records were the Daily Media Summaries he used to make daily assignments to Staff. How could they create topics discussed 18 months in arrears?

Butterfield came in at 2:15. The Investigator always questioned first, Minority Counsel 2nd and I as Majority Counsel "cleaned up." Mary Ann recorded all questions and answers for later typing.

Armstrong went for about 3 hours and never inquired about a tape recorder in the Oval Office as Dean had casually mentioned. Don and I had discussed. When Don's turn came, after a few follow ups to Armstrong's 3 hours, he says, "Is there anything to what we heard about a tape recorder in the Oval Office?"

Butterfield's prompt response was, "We thought you all might ask about this" and that I had tell the truth. Few questions needed to follow. We were surprised about the elaborate system beyond the Oval Office - Cabinet Room, Executive Office Building, and even Camp David (where Soviet Premier had been housed the year before).

Mary Ann in her fear of the rampant leaks occurring routinely shredded things and mistakenly shredded these notes with others before typing in full. Her recount summary was very accurate but not word for word.

I just want the true story in one place. I use Wikipedia a lot and trust its accurate history.

Gene Boyce. 919 755-1800 Raleigh, N.C.