Investigations

Like the Furies of Greek legend, Iran-contra independent counsel Lawrence Walsh has been slow but relentless in pursuit of justice. Last week fate caught up with a major figure in the scandal: Clair George, who ran the CIA's covert-action directorate from 1984 to '87. Walsh announced that a federal grand jury had charged George with 10 counts of lying or obstruction during a series of investigations into the Iran-contra affair. George allegedly concealed what the CIA knew about illegal aid to the Nicaraguan contras and the role of U.S. agents. The indictment increases the political heat on Robert Gates, George's former boss, whose nomination as the next CIA director is awaiting confirmation. Nothing in last week's action implicated Gates, but the scandal seems to be moving closer to him. "This indictment merely makes me a pawn in a continuing drama of political exploitation," complained George in an impromptu press conference at his suburban Maryland home. "My conscience is clear."