[205guy]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_North

"In July 1987, North was summoned to testify before televised hearings of a joint congressional committee that was formed to investigate the Iran–Contra scandal. During the hearings, North admitted that he had misled Congress..."

One of the sources explains that when congress investigated the Iran-Contra scandal, it granted Oliver North immunity for what he would say. From one of the Wikipedia sources:

"The most serious obstacle to North's prosecution was the immunity grant extended him by the Select Committees that in 1987 investigated the Iran/contra matter. North's nationally televised testimony under that grant of use immunity, which guaranteed that nothing he told Congress could be used against him in a criminal proceeding, greatly complicated Independent Counsel's investigation and raised serious questions as to whether North could ever be tried."

https://fas.org/irp/offdocs/walsh/chap_02.htm

[uncoder0]

Pardon my ignorance. How can Congress grant immunity from the Judiciary? I thought that was only a power that resided in the Executive?

[alasdair_]

A federal court issues the actual order to appear, after 2/3 of a committee or a majority of the house or senate votes to compel a witness to attend.

The witness cannot plead the fifth but they also cannot be prosecuted for anything they say.

And yes 2/3 of a committee is a small number of people.

[ncmncm]

Usually the deal is supposed to be void if they turn out to have lied or concealed relevant information.

[freen]

Ahh yes, then North proceeded to head up the NRA.

It’s grifts all the way down!

[MertsA]

Don't forget North then was forced out of the NRA after being appalled at the widespread corruption around the executive vice president of the NRA, Wayne LaPierre. It's pretty sad when Oliver North is the ethical voice of reason in the room.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9oV17dIza4