‘88 Finishing Touches : Deaver Ready to Appeal Conviction, Is ‘Upbeat’

It was a long year for Michael K.Deaver, the one-time close aide to Presient and Nancy Reagan who fell from grace.

Convicted in 1987 of three counts of perjury for lying under oath about his lobbying activities after leaving the White House, Deaver was sentenced in September to three years of probation and fined $100,000. Deaver maintains his innocence, saying alcoholism impaired his memory and ability to function.

Despite his travails, Deaver said he is “upbeat” now. He has started the process of appealing his conviction; he is giving speeches on politics and alcoholism, and he is interested in becoming a successful consultant again.

“I suppose technically I am (a consultant),” Deaver said. “I’m basically trying to put my life back together. I do a lot of work in the field of alcoholism, a lot of speaking about my own experiences, a lot of counseling of alcoholics.”

Deaver said he has made a motion to file an appeal and hopes to file it in the spring.

His legal fees are “a tremendous burden. It goes to the millions. I just don’t know how I will ever pay,” Deaver said. “I haven’t gotten to that point with the lawyers.

“I’ve been trying to get back into some kind of professional work. I am interested in communications and strategic planning.” Deaver declined to talk about his current clients or business, saying only, “I work out of my home.”

Deaver has given speeches at Texas A&M;, Connecticut College and Washington-Lee, and is planning to address the California Trucking Assn. in February.

“Basically, I’m going to talk about the best Congress money can buy, the imperial Congress, that it’s easier to get into the Politburo or the House of Lords than Congress,” Deaver said, “largely because of political action committees and gerrymandering by Democrats.”

Deaver’s wife, Carolyn, has gone to work selling real estate, and many of their expensive possessions have been sold.

Always an avid gardener, Deaver built an indoor English garden box that drew so many raves from friends that he is now trying to market a line of them.

“I’m finding out there are all kinds of wonderful things you can do with your time,” Deaver said. “I’m spending more time with my family and friends.”

The transplanted Californian says he is happy, despite his cloudy financial situation.

“I feel good about myself. I feel good about the year,” he said. “You begin to be so grateful for all the people who supported you, had faith in you and continued daily to give you strength.” His friendship with the Reagans, he said, “I assume remains constant. I don’t see them, don’t hear from them very often. They have a lot to do. I guess she called on the day of the sentencing.”