en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Ellsberg
2 corrections found
In January 1973, Ellsberg was charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 along with other charges of theft and conspiracy, carrying a maximum sentence of 115 years.
Ellsberg was charged in 1971, not January 1973. January 1973 was when his trial began.
Full reasoning
This sentence gets the timing wrong.
Daniel Ellsberg was already under federal charges in June 1971, shortly after publication of the Pentagon Papers. A Library of Congress summary states that Ellsberg surrendered on June 28, 1971 and that after the newspapers' publication, the Nixon administration brought criminal charges against him. PBS's NewsHour timeline likewise lists Ellsberg as charged in June 1971 under the Nixon administration.
January 1973 is associated with the start of the trial, not the filing of the charges. The article itself later says the trial commenced on January 3, 1973, which is consistent with the historical record.
So the claim is incorrect because it places the charging date about a year and a half too late.
2 sources
- Library of Congress — Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers
"After articles about the papers were published, Ellsberg surrendered to the authorities on June 28, 1971... the Nixon administration brought criminal charges against Ellsberg and Russo."
- PBS NewsHour — 11 'Leakers' Charged With Espionage
The Daniel Ellsberg entry is dated "June 1971 || Richard Nixon Administration" and describes the Pentagon Papers case and its later dismissal in 1973.
Charles Colson pleaded no contest for obstruction of justice in the burglary.
Colson did not plead no contest. He pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice in the Ellsberg case.
Full reasoning
The plea described here is wrong.
Records from the Ford Library's Watergate special prosecutor materials state that Charles W. Colson pleaded guilty on June 3, 1974, to one count of obstruction of justice. A National Archives/Nixon Library exhibit memo likewise says Colson "did plead guilty to obstruction of justice in the Ellsberg case."
So the article is incorrect to say he pleaded no contest. The documented plea was guilty.
2 sources
- Ford Library — Special Prosecutor summary
The Watergate prosecution summary states: "Charles W. Colson ... Pleaded guilty on June 3, 1974, to one count of obstruction of justice, 18 USC Section 1503."
- National Archives / Nixon Library exhibit memo
The proposed revised text says: "Although Colson was never convicted for taking part in the Watergate break-in or subsequent cover-up, he did plead guilty to obstruction of justice in the Ellsberg case."