Ex-Heckler Aide Pleads Guilty to Interest Conflict

C. McClain Haddow, who served as chief of staff to former Health and Human Services Secretary Margaret M. Heckler, today pleaded guilty to pocketing $55,330 from a nonprofit foundation he started while working for the Reagan Administration.

Haddow, 36, pleaded guilty to two conflict-of-interest charges. He faces a possible four-year prison term and a $500,000 fine.

The Justice Department agreed to drop five other counts of the indictment, which was returned April 15.

U.S. District Judge Gerhard A. Gesell scheduled sentencing for Sept. 8.

Haddow admitted using his HHS post to solicit corporate donations to the T. Bear Foundation, a nonprofit organization he set up to promote hand-washing among children and health professionals.

Haddow spoke to potential donors at a Nov. 24, 1984, luncheon given by Heckler, according to one of the charges to which he pleaded guilty.

Corporate Donations

Haddow also solicited corporate donations from such large health-care firms as Abbott Laboratories, Eli Lilly & Co. and American Hospital Supply Corp., according to the indictment.

Haddow admitted siphoning $33,540 of the $37,400 the foundation paid to Michelle Magoon, who was hired as a fund-raiser.

Haddow, 36, also pleaded guilty to a charge that he used his official position to obtain $25,500 in speech-writing contracts for Gordon and Susan Jones and diverted $21,790 of the money to his own bank account.

The agreement that Haddow made with federal prosecutors included a provision that no other charges would be filed against him or his wife, who has not been charged in the case.

Haddow worked for Heckler from 1984 to 1985. He left to become a consultant for a health care planning company.

Haddow, who once headed the Utah staff of Republican Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, refused to comment on the guilty plea after his brief court appearance.