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This file contains the Robert Winter-Berger affidavit, annotated by Ford and Becker.
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1126641
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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - Robert Winter-Berger
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1126641
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Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential Confirmation - Robert Winter-Berger
description
This file contains the Robert Winter-Berger affidavit, annotated by Ford and Becker.
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Benton L. Becker Papers
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1973-10-31
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1973
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The original documents are located in Box 1, folder "Ford, Gerald R. - Vice Presidential
Confirmation - Robert Winter-Berger" of the Benton L. Becker Papers at the Gerald R.
Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Benton Becker donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box 1 of the Benton Becker Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
My name is Robert Winter-Berger. I live at 123 East 75th Street,
New York, New York 10021. This affidavit is being given freely with no promise
of payment or other consideration.
motouth
hunce?
Between 1966 and September of 1969 I personally loaned Gerald Ford
Blue
in the neighborhood of $15,000. This money was delivered to Ford in cash to
Blue
cover an illness and hospitalization of his wife. She had an illness of the pancreas.
This money came from my personal income and I paid taxes on it. This money was
never repaid. I never asked for repayment and it was never offered.
word
At other times he complained that he was short of money.
$250.00
The loans were made in amounts of $50.00 to about $250. 00.
300
As I reported in my book, The Washington Payoff, I helped arrange for
$125, to be contributed to the Republicans by Francis Kellogg, now a
State Department official.
go
high Sept 1969 Brosters
I arranged for Kellogg to meet at least twice with Gerald Ford at Kellogg's
request. Ford agreed to help Kellogg get a government post. Kellogg was seeking
an ambassadorship to Kenya. I have correspondence in my possession which proves
demis
that Kellogg was in touch with Herbert Kalmbach in reference to this desired
appointment.
All of the $125, 000 contributed by Kellogg was contributed at the
suggestion of Ford. Kellogg was aware that Ford had suggested these contributions
to vario us Republican bodies in 1968. It was for this reason that Kellogg furnished
me with copies of his correspondence from and to members of the Republican Party
in his quest for the appointment. I'm prepared to make copies of this correspondence
available to the House and Senate Committees.
As described in my book, Ford flew in a private plane to Parsons College
at a cost of $1500. On six or seven occasions he mentioned the $1500. Finally,
I
got the message but didn't pay him the $1500.
1
At the 1969 inaugural, Ford supplied an official sticker for the private
limousine of Elizabeth Taylor Dunnington, a prominent contributor to the Republican
Párty, and her brother Reese Taylor was one of Nixon's earliest and most powerful
backers. This sticker enabled the timousine to go through police lines.
Robert jegees
ghave, this no
recordection
FORD
he hoursone
Page 2
Ford supplied this sticker in return for a $500 contribution to the
Republican Congressional Boosters Committee. The contribution was made
through my good offices.
portony
In 1969, Ford got the young man a job as a congressional intern (Stephen
Taylor, grand-nephew of Elizabeth Taylor Dunnington), in return for another $500
contribution to the Republican Congressional Boosters Committee. This contri
r), when did "bm" work.
bution was again made through me.
2) when were Emoter payment made
I picked up Gerald Ford at the New York Hilton after a speaking engage-
ment at approximately 2:30 p.m. and we went in a rented limousine supplied to him
by the organization who sponsored his appearance to the offices of Dr. Arnold
Hutschnecker at 829 Park Avenue. When we left the limousine we asked the driver
to return in an hour. I went into Dr. Hutschnecker's office and introduced him to
Gerald Ford. I then went around the corner to my own apartment and prepared my
own lunch which consisted of a hamburger which was broiled in a pre-heated oven.
This took me approximately 40 minutes. I left my apartment after cleaning the
dishes, making several calls and returned around the corner to the front of the
building at 829 Park Avenue. The limousine had already arrived; I stepped in
and waited for the arrival of Gerald Ford some ten or 15 minutes later. Ford was
with Hutschnecker for more than an hour. Loaded with books and documents which
Hutschnecker had given to Ford, we drove in the limousine to the Eastern Airlines
shuttle and then the limousine took me back to my residence.
About eight or nine months later Hutschnecker mentioned to me that on a
Saturday morning trip to Washington to see Nixon he had stopped by to seę Ford;
he mentioned these visits to me on more than two occasions. Ford, on the other
hand, never recounted these meetings to me until I mentioned them to him one day.
Then he admitted that he had been in contact with Hutschnecker. I never delved
any further because I felt it would be tactless.
both Both denied any
ON &
Robert 2. Writer preger
R. FORD
LIBRARY
Page 3.
However, as I noted in my book I suggested to Ford that he see
Hutschnecker because he indicated to me that the pressures of the job were beginning
to get to him. I said, by way of recommendation, that Hutschnecker was Nixon's
doctor. He said he would ask Dick about it. About ten days later, much to my
surprise, he brought it up and said he had asked Dick and that Dick said he was
very good doctor. He then asked me to set out to set up an appointment with
Dr. Hutschnecker.
Hutschnecker was never a client of mine, and Gerald Ford knew this
very clearly.
Ford never did any favor for me unless I indicated that in some way or
manner, by contribution or other means, the Republican Party would benefit. Other
means might be stationery or something else. For example, the first favor I
asked him to do for me involved his endorsement of the world calendar. I slipped
an envelope which contained $2000 across his desk. He refused it, with the
suggestion that if I wanted to do him a favor I could buy some tickets to a dinner
that was being given in his honor in Grand Rapids at which dinner Richard Nixon was
(my check-p. 238)
the honored speaker. I bought five tickets and paid for them by money order in
the sum of $500. (Should we 3)
I regarded myself as a personal friend of Gerald Ford's, and was treated
accordingly by his office staff. He asked me to counsel his son on several occasions.
He thought the boy not serious-minded. This was the middle son, who eventually
164
(page)
worked as an intern in congress. He conferred with me about his wife illness
which you don't do with a casual acquaintance, and his secretary Mildred Leonard,
knowing of my close association with Ford constantly gave me, reports on Mrs. Ford's
condition.
mo real knowledge
One Christmas I asked Mr. Ford if it was all right with him if I gave some
of his staff, who had been very helpful to me, some Christmas gifts. He said he
didn't mind, as long as I didn't give them in the office; he suggested that I send them
directly to their homes; which I did. I sent Mildred Leonard, Frank Meyer and
is
Ester to Dukov wallets. In each wallet there was $100 bill. They acknowledged the
gifts in writing and thanked me.
Allyeng
OHOS
Page 4
WB To be accurate, Ester in and Mildred acknowledged the gifts in
writing and Frank thanked me.
Robert 21 Writer-Berger
Subscribed and Sworn To before me this 24th day of October, 1973
Notary Public, Steper D.C.
My Commission Expires February 20, 1977
An Entertainment Service of
Transamerica Corporation
United Artists Broadcashng Inc
Continuation of letter to
October 26, 1973.
Att. Benton L. Becker,
Cramer, Haber & Becker,
485 Lenfant Plaza, S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20024 Suite 4100
Dear Att. Becker,
This is in response to our telephone conversation this
afternoon, October 26, 1973.
Robert Winter-Berger did not pay me one penny for the
introduction to Congressman Ford--in fact there was
never any mention of money between us. Added to that I
paid my own way to Washington.
Comments he made of things I supposedly said are incorrect
and inuendos.
I will try to have friends in New York phone you today
with further information.
If I can do anything to help in any way please let me
know. I have complete confidence in Mr. Ford's integrity.
Sincerely,
aleu B.Schawalter
Alice Weston,
(Alice 8. Schowalter)
FORD A LIBRARY GERALD
Some items in this folder were not digitized because it contains copyrighted
materials. Please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library for access to
these materials.
~ bring yai lasting peace to the Middle East
preserve the ceasefire. He conferred
UPI Photo
arren said the President also would meet
several times by telephone with Kissinger,
Co
p.m. today at his Camp David, Md.,
Warren said
THE HALLOWEEN holiday will be a bit brighter for
deni
etreet with Soviel Ambassador Anately F
has been a go-between in the
"All of these meetings are a continuation
elderly and ill residents living around St. Pious Catholic
to V
of diplomatic efforts to establish a
Elementary School in Wauwatosa. Wis. Sixty-nine
activ
Soviet diplomatic moves spawned by
latest outbreak of fighting in the
framework for negotiations, Warren said.
pumpkins were carved in an all-school project and will be
rust
the
hand-delivered by pupils in time for trick-or-treat night.
were
troubled region.
More Mideast news appears on page 16A
been
He
meet
adm
Ford Offers to Take Lie Detector Test on Gift
nent
At
Gene
of 1,400 pages of raw data. and Cannon said
New York City, Winter-Berger said be
a campaign contribution. or vice versa. or
Bi Roben Lewin
notal
that although the material is "very. very
stands benind all charges in his 1972 bank
for a man who has not at some time taken a
to d
Crowd Rapiets Press Bureau
thorough." ne has asked for additional
about loobying and would take a lie
small amount of cash for personal or
political expenses. then that man IS not
comp
ASHINGTON - Vice President-
information. He declined to elaborate.
detector text if asked.
demgnate Gerald R. Ford has offered to
Jerry Ford.
RK
Cannon said the Rules Committee was
Winter-Berger said Ford did not ask for
then
take a He detec tor test to rebut charges by a
not rely ing entirely on FBI reports. He said
contributions outright "He expected the
"ID THEY want someone who is absolute
formas labbyist that he accepted $15,000 in
the committee also expects reports from
person doing business with him to come up
ly perfect and pure, then it's not Jerry
Dep:
then
losns which were not repaid.
the General Accounting Office and from its
with the offer because if you didn't you
Ford.' he said. "Bill then they Il have to NO
Ford. who will be the first witness when
own investigative staff.
to Outer Mongolia to find that sort of a
He
knew very well that you wouldn t get in that
with
Senate Rules Committee hearings on his
office with a great deal of ease he next
man
II with reported that the committee has
calle
nomination open Thursday. called ex-
ordered a full-seale investigation into
time the former lobbyist said.
"I feel that try as you might you won't
from
lobbyist Robert N. Winter-Berger's se-
Winter-Berger's background to see if be
"When it came to large amounts of cash,
find x better-equipped man. or more nonest
a "categorical he
and
in
determine
the big envelopes that other politicians look
one. within our corrupt system."
Co:
Jack Anderson and Les Whitten
Ford: Charges, Denials
A former lobbyist has sworn to the
stating, "I wouldn't be so crude as to
Senate Rules Committee that he enter into a quid pro quo arrangement
"loaned" vice presidential nominee of that kind.'
Gerald Ford $15,000 to cover urgent
In the affidavit, Winter Berger also
personal needs. The loan, said lobbyist.
dealt fully for the first time with his
Robert Winter-Berger, wasnever paid.
recollection of Ford's visit to New
York psychotherapist Dr. Arnold-
In addition, said Winter-Berger, at
Hutschnecker, who once counseled
Ford's request he arranged contrib-
Richard Nixon. Ford has insisted to us
utions totaling more than $125,000 to
he saw Hutschnecker for only 15
various Republican campaign commit-
minutes, and never visited with
him again. But Winter-Berger'ss
Lobbyist Book
On Corruption
Attacks Ford
et
Washington Post Service
WASHINGTON - An attack on Rep. Gerald Ford in a
book published last year is sure to be brought up again when
Congress holds hearings on his nomination.
Ford was one of numerous Washington politicians hit
hard in "The Washington Pay-Off: A Lobbyist's Own Story of
Corruption in Government "
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES
LEON YOCHELSON, M.D.
THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE
THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE
JOSEPH E. RANKIN. M.D.
EDWARD S. FLEMING, M. D.
2141 K STREET, N.W.
NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE.
1143 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., N.W.
JESSE RUBIN, M.D.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
JAMES T. QUATTLEBAUM, M. D.
JACK DURELL. M.D.
(202) 467-4600
(202) 467-4567
GERTRUDE V. Corrs. M.D.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DIVISION
MARGARET GARRETT. M. D.
10605 CONCORD STREET
HOWARD A. HOFFMAN. M. D.
KENSINGTON, MARYLAND 20795
BRADY P. MCKAIO. M.D.
(301) 467-4550
RALPH W. WADESON, JR., M. D.
CARL R. GRAY. M. D.
RESTON DIVISION
ROBERT T. LEWIT, M. D.
November 2, 1973
1712 CLUB HOUSE ROAD
MOHAN T. ADVANI. M. D.
RESTON, VIRGINIA 22070
DAVID H. FRAM. M. D.
(703) 437-1296
BARTON L.KRAFF,M.D.
ANNAPOLIS DIVISION
311 FOURTH STREET EASTPORT
STEPHEN C. ETTENSON, M. D.
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21403
EDWARD HOLSCHER, M. D.
(301) 267-8700
JEANETTE MCDONALD, M. D.
MICHAEL A. WOODBURY, M. D.
KENNETH L. KAPLAN, M.D.
RICHARD A. RATNER, M.D.
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
514 Crown View Drive
Arlington, Virginia
Dear Mr. Ford:
This is in response to your telephone inquiry of November 2, 1973
requesting that I write of my treatment of Mrs. Elizabeth Ford. I
am pleased to do so, having secured Mrs. Ford's permission.
In mid-1969 Mrs. Ford started a course of treatment in this office
for a tension state resulting from a medical condition which had
depleted her energy. Treatment continued routinely and at the present
time she has improved so that only occasional visits have been neces-
sary.
During the course of my treatment of Mrs. Ford, there has been oppor-
tunity to get together with you for the purpose of discussing my treat-
ment of Mrs. Ford. These conversations have been, in all instances,
exculsively related to your wife's condition. I categorically state
that at no time have you ever sought the services of this office pro-
fessionally and at no time have you ever been treated or sought treat-
ment by me, nor have you ever indicated that you have received treat-
ment from any other psychiatrist.
I am prepared to state the above under oath if to be deemed necessary.
Sincerely,
Leon Yochelson, M.D.
S
Leon Yochelson, M.D., founding partner and Chairman of The
Professional Associates, and the Boards of The Psychiatric Institute
and The Psychiatric Institute Foundation, was Chief of Psychiatry at
The George Washington University Hospital from 1949 and Chairman of
The Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine of The George
Washington University from 1959 until his resignation from both posi-
tions in 1970. He has continued as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Science and as Co-director of the Institute for Law, Psychiatry and
Criminology at The George Washington University.
Dr. Yochelson is Supervising and Training Analyst at The Washing-
ton Psychoanalytic Institute, past-Vice Chairman of the Sub-Committee
on Mental Health of The Public Health Advisory Council of The District
of Columbia, an examiner in Psychiatry for The American Board of Neuro-
logy and Psychiatry, and past-Chairman for many years of the Committee
on Mental Health of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia and
is presently a member of the Medical Society's Committee on Ethics.
He has also been a psychiatric consultant to the National Institute of
Mental Health, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department
of Health, Education and Welfare and The Social Security and Veterans
Administrations. He is a Fellow of The American Psychiatric Association
and past Chairman of its Membership Committee. He is a Fellow of the
American College of Psychiatrists and a Founding Fellow of the American
College of Psychoanalysts. He is past president of the Washington
Psychiatric Society and a member of the Washington Psychoanalytic
Society.
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATES
LEON YOCHELSON, M.D.
THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE
THE PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE
JOSEPH E. RANKIN, M.D.
2141 K STREET, N.W.
NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE.
EDWARD S. FLEMING, M. D.
1143 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVE., N.W.
JESSE RUBIN, M.D.
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20037
JAMES T. QUATTLEBAUM, M. D.
JACK DURELL. M.D.
(202) 467-4600
(202) 467-4567
GERTRUDE V. COTTS, M.D.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY DIVISION
MARGARET GARRETT. M. D.
10605 CONCORD STREET
HOWARD A. HOFFMAN, M. D.
KENSINGTON, MARYLAND 20795
BRADY P. MCKAIG, M. D.
(301) 467-4350
RALPH W. WADESON, JR., M. D.
CARL R. GRAY, M. D.
RESTON DIVISION
ROBERT T. LEWIT, M. D.
1712 CLUB HOUSE ROAD
November 2, 1973
MOHAN T. ADVANI, M. D.
RESTON, VIRGINIA 22070
DAVID H. FRAM. M. D.
(703) 437-1296
BARTON L. KRAFF, M.D.
ANNAPOLIS DIVISION
311 FOURTH STREET EASTPORT
ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND 21403
STEPHEN C. ETTENSON, M. D.
(301) 267-8700
EDWARD HOLSCHER, M. D.
JEANETTE McDoNALD, M. D.
MICHAEL A. WOODBURY, M. D.
KENNETH L. KAPLAN, M. D.
RICHARD A. RATNER, M.D.
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
514 Crown View Drive
Arlington, Virginia
Dear Mr. Ford:
This is in response to your telephone inquiry of November 2, 1973
requesting that I write of my treatment of Mrs. Elizabeth Ford. I
am pleased to do so, having secured Mrs. Ford's permission.
In mid-1969 Mrs. Ford started a course of treatment in this office
for a tension state resulting from a medical condition which had
depleted her energy. Treatment continued routinely and at the present
time she has improved so that only occasional visits have been neces-
sary.
During the course of my treatment of Mrs. Ford, there has been oppor-
tunity to get together with you for the purpose of discussing my treat-
ment of Mrs. Ford. These conversations have been, in all instances,
exculsively related to your wife's condition. I categorically state
that at no time have you ever sought the services of this office pro-
fessionally and at no time have you ever been treated or sought treat-
ment by me, nor have you ever indicated that you have received treat-
ment from any other psychiatrist.
I am prepared to state the above under oath if to be deemed necessary.
Sincerely,
Leon Yochelson, M.D.
S
GERALD A LIBRARY FORD
Leon Yochelson, M.D., founding partner and Chairman of The
Professional Associates, and the Boards of The Psychiatric Institute
and The Psychiatric Institute Foundation, was Chief of Psychiatry at
The George Washington University Hospital from 1949 and Chairman of
The Department of Psychiatry of the School of Medicine of The George
Washington University from 1959 until his resignation from both posi-
tions in 1970. He has continued as Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral
Science and as Co-director of the Institute for Law, Psychiatry and
Criminology at The George Washington University.
Dr. Yochelson is Supervising and Training Analyst at The Washing-
ton Psychoanalytic Institute, past-Vice Chairman of the Sub-Committee
on Mental Health of The Public Health Advisory Council of The District
of Columbia, an examiner in Psychiatry for The American Board of Neuro-
logy and Psychiatry, and past-Chairman for many years of the Committee
on Mental Health of the Medical Society of the District of Columbia and
is presently a member of the Medical Society's Committee on Ethics.
He has also been a psychiatric consultant to the National Institute of
Mental Health, the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation of the Department
of Health, Education and Welfare and The Social Security and Veterans
Administrations. He is a Fellow of The American Psychiatric Association
and past Chairman of its Membership Committee. He is a Fellow of the
American College of Psychiatrists and a Founding Fellow of the American
College of Psychoanalysts. He is past president of the Washington
Psychiatric Society and a member of the Washington Psychoanalytic
Society.
LIBRAHY GERALD R. FORD