John Poindexter

McFarlane's successor as National Security Adviser "failed grievously" to consider the gravity of the diversion of money to the contras. Poindexter did not show an awareness of the operation's scope or importance, focusing instead on narrow details like who should be on the list of people who would have access to information. On occasion he misled top Administration officials about details of the arms sales and the contra diversion. Poindexter "apparently failed to appreciate or ignored the serious legal and political risks presented" by the contra-support operation, said the commission. It added that, on the evidence available, "Poindexter knew that a diversion occurred, yet he did not take the steps that were required given the gravity of that prospect. His clear obligation was either to investigate the matter or take it to the President, or both. He did neither."