Legal Defense Fund Started for North

A former classmate of Lt. Col. Oliver L. North has started a legal defense fund for the Marine officer who was fired as deputy national security adviser because of the Iran- contra arms scandal.

North was fired Nov. 25 for his role in the plan to secretly sell arms to Iran and then use the profits to finance Nicaraguan rebels.

“Ollie North is a straight shooter,” said H. Keith Haines II, of Orem, Utah. “He would never do anything without orders. He is being left high and dry in the hot seat. I’m going to do what I can to help him.”

Haines is trying to contact about 500 other members of the Naval Academy 1968 graduating class for contributions to the defense fund for North, the Salt Lake Tribune reported Thursday.

“I know it’s going to be tough. But he’s going to need help,” said Haines, a political consultant and businessman.

North was called to testify Monday before the Senate Intelligence Committee, but he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. He told reporters on Tuesday that he will “tell all the facts” at the appropriate time.