Former Associate Disputes Deaver’s Story on Lobbying
A former lobbying associate of Michael K. Deaver gave evidence today disputing the ex-presidential aide’s sworn testimony that he didn’t help a South Korean official get an appointment with President Reagan.
Doral Cooper, a former assistant U.S. trade representative who later worked for Deaver’s lobbying firm, told jurors in Deaver’s perjury trial that she suggested wording for a letter the Korean envoy gave to Reagan.
Cooper testified that she cabled a South Korean official to “suggest personal themes” that could be included in the “personal, extremely confidential” letter that President Chun Doo Hwan was drafting for Kim Kihwan, his trade envoy, to deliver to Reagan.
The assistance was provided as part of the $475,000-a-year contract Deaver had to represent the South Korean government.
A photograph of Kim handing the letter to Reagan was admitted into evidence.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
