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John Dean, 43, White House counsel who warned Nixon that cover-up was "a cancer growing on the presidency." When unheeded, he made charges public in clash with President. Tapes verified his claims. Pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice. Served 4½ months. Paid off huge legal debts with bestselling Watergate book Blind Ambition (300,000 hard-cover copies) and lecture fees. Lives in Los Angeles. With Wife Mo creates radio programs. Working on new Watergate book. Wife's book, "Mo": A Woman's View of Watergate, was profitable (60,000 hardcover copies), and both Dean books formed basis of 1979 TV miniseries.
John Ehrlichman, 57, Nixon's chief adviser on domestic policy. Described as one of "the finest public servants" when fired by Nixon in April 1973. Convicted of both Watergate cover-up and conspiracy in burglary of Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist. Served 18 months. His three Watergate-era books (two are novels) have sold well (277,000 hard-cover copies), titillating readers with gossip about Nixon's drinking, Henry Kissinger's emotional tirades. Lives with Second Wife Christy, 34, former New York City interior designer, and their 19-month-old son in Santa Fe, N. Mex. Working on another novel.
H.R. (Bob) Haldeman, 55, Nixon's Chief of Staff. The other "finest" public servant convicted of coverup. Served 18 months. Claims his Watergate book, The Ends of Power, did "extremely well" (some 100,000 hard-cover copies). Vice president of Los Angeles-based David H. Murdock Development Co., which is involved in major downtown renewal project in Baltimore. Working on TV special using his home movies of Nixon years.
Frederick LaRue, 54, Mississippi oilman on staff of Nixon's Committee for the Re-Election of the President. Handled hush money given to burglars. Pleaded guilty to coverup. Served 5½ months. Now runs Mississippi oil and gas exploration company with Brother Ike.
Robert C. Mardian, 58, Assistant Attorney General and counsel for Nixon re-election committee. Found guilty of coverup, but conviction was reversed on appeal. Justice Department dropped charges rather than hold new trial. Still trying to pay $600,000 in legal fees. Lives in Phoenix. President of real estate development firm and vice president of family construction company. Says Watergate burglary was an "unbelievable stupidity.''
John Mitchell, 68, Attorney General and Nixon campaign director. Accused of approving Watergate bugging. Found guilty of coverup. Served 19 months. Only major Watergate figure who has not told or sold his story. Received $50,000 advance on book, failed to produce satisfactory manuscript, sued by Simon & Schuster. Settled out of court on undisclosed terms. After 1976 death of estranged Wife Martha, took up with Mary Gore Dean, whose family formerly owned Washington's Fairfax Hotel. Barred from law practice, he helped form Global Research, an international business consulting firm.
The Other Lawbreakers
Dwight Chapin, 41, Richard Nixon's appointments secretary. Convicted of perjury, served eight months. Works in Chicago for wealthy Republican Campaign Contributor W. Clement Stone as president and publisher of Stone's Success magazine.