Oliver North

Oliver North became famous when he was summoned to testify in the Iran-Contra hearings. Some saw him as the public scapegoat for many other people in the Reagan administration who were involved in the Iran-Contra affair.

North was indicted March 16, 1988, on 16 felony counts. After standing trial on 12, North was convicted May 4, 1989 of three charges: accepting an illegal gratuity, aiding and abetting in the obstruction of a congressional inquiry, and destruction of documents. He was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell on July 5, 1989, to a three-year suspended prison term, two years probation, $150,000 in fines and 1,200 hours community service.

A three-judge appeals panel on July 20, 1990, vacated North's conviction for further proceedings to determine whether his immunized testimony influenced witnesses in the trial. The Supreme Court declined to review the case. Judge Gesell dismissed the case September 16, 1991, after hearings on the immunity issue, on the motion of Independent Counsel.

In 1994 North again stirred controversy this time as a candidate for the United States Senate from Virginia. Although North had the backing of the mainstream Republican Party, he failed to gain an endorsement from Virginia's senior senator, John Warner, also a Republican. Warner gave his support to the incumbent Democrat, Charles Robb. North lost the election to the Robb, one of the few Republican defeats in the "Republican Revolution" of 1994. A documentary film was made about his campaign.

North wrote an autobiography, Under Fire: An American Story (ISBN 0971700915), and has authored many military thriller novels, some of which are based on his own adventures.

North is the host of "Common Sense", a right-wing radio talk show on many American stations. He has also hosted "War Stories with Oliver North" on FOX News television, and has had a small recurring role on the CBS series JAG.

North also participated as an "embedded" reporter for FOX News during the Iraq war. He was embedded with a Marine unit.

One of the most northern points on the west coast of Costa Rica, "Ollies Point", was the favorite place for North's shipments to arrive on their way to Nicaragua. It also happens to be the site of world-class surfing.

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