G. Gordon Liddy Biography

Serves as general counsel to the Finance Committee to Re-Elect the President, placing him inside the Nixon campaign organization before the Watergate burglary.

Develops a collection of covert political intelligence proposals known as Operation Gemstone for use against Democratic opponents during the 1972 election campaign.

Proposes kidnapping anti-war organizers and transporting them to Mexico during the Republican National Convention as one of the more extreme Gemstone schemes.

Proposes secretly photographing Democratic campaign figures in compromising situations aboard a houseboat as part of Operation Gemstone.

Directs the first entry into Democratic National Committee offices, where the team installs electronic surveillance equipment.

Begins shredding documents after learning that the Watergate burglary team has been arrested, seeking to eliminate evidence connecting him to the operation.

Monitors the second Watergate operation from a nearby command post and escapes arrest when police seize the burglary team.

Is indicted by a federal grand jury with six others on charges arising from the Democratic National Committee burglary and electronic surveillance.

Is convicted of conspiracy, burglary and wiretapping for his role in the Watergate operation after refusing to plead guilty.

President Jimmy Carter commutes Liddy's Watergate sentence to eight years while leaving his monetary fine in effect.

Is released from federal custody after serving about four and a half years for Watergate-related offenses.