'CAMPAIGN' AID ASKED BY SEN. DODD

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP75-00149R000200300097-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: April 20, 1999
• Sequence Number: 97
• Publication Date: April 23, 1966
• Content Type: NSPR

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APR 2 3 1966
The Washington 11Xerry-Go-1'{o'11nd
'Camp-m-laign'.Ai
By Drew Pearson
and Jack Anderson,
(r~ 1966. Ae11-McClure syn1tcete. Inc.'
Sen. Thomas J. Dodd (D~
Conn.) has now conceded that
this column was correct in re-
porting that he put in his own
pocket the proceeds from a
1961 testimonial dinner and a
1963 "Dodd Day" breakfast-
lunch-dinner. He. made this
admission in reply to written
Interrogatories from the Sen-
ate Ethics Committee.
He also did not dispute the
column's claim that his net
take was $54,555.58 from the
1961 dinner and $47,000 from
the 1963 affair - a total of
more than $100,000.
The Senator contended, how-
ever, that the money was
raised for his personal use, not
his political campaign chest.
His associates acknowledged to
The Washington Post that po-
litical funds diverted to his
personal use would be taxable,
but, Insisted that the contribu-
tions to his 1961 and 1963 tes-
timonials were personal gifts,
therefore tax-free,
This becomes an extremely
important distinction, s i n c e
Dodd neglected to report this
income on his tax returns.
It will come as a surprise to
the dinner guests that they
were donating .to Dodd's per-
sonal finances rather than to
his campaign. For he. told one
and all that he was raising the
money for. political purposes.
He mailed out more than 1500
letters, typed In leis Washing-
ton office and stuffed in his
Hartford office ,by" Senate. em-
Asked by Sen.
ployes, soliciting "campaign
contributions" for Dodd Day.
If they had known the dinners
were for his personal benefit,
doubtless in view of the na-
tional furor over Nixon's $18,-
000 personal expense fund,
they would have been hesitant
about contributing. ,
The claim that the two testi-
monials were personal, n o t
political, should also startle
President Johnson, who was
persuaded to be the star at-
traction at both events for the
specific purpose of helping
Dodd raise campaign funds.
"Dear 'Lyndon," wrote Dodd
on Aug.' 5, 1963, "allow me to
thank you again for your gen-
erous offer to come to Con-
'nectieut to' assist me in my
forthcoming campaign. Since
receiving definite word from
your office. that you will be
available on Oct. 26 (Dodd
Day) for the entire day, I have
scheduled "a variety of activi-
ties that will cover the princi-
pal. centei