Echoes of Watergate in Washington

Washington

ANYONE who is familiar with the Watergate scandal that forced then US president Richard Nixon to resign from office in 1973 probably recognises the name of John Dean, one of the leading characters in the political drama that shook up the foundations of Washington and the American political system.

Mr Dean, who had served as White House counsel under Mr Nixon, became deeply involved in the series of criminal actions masterminded by the president's political operatives, including breaking into the Democratic Party's offices in the Watergate building in Washington, and the subsequent efforts to cover up those misdeeds.