[John M. Poindexter], President Reagan's former national security adviser, and [Oliver L. North], a White House aide on Poindexter's staff, were accused of secretly supporting Nicaragua's rebels with profits from U.S. arms sales to Iran.

From late 1985 to 1986, Poindexter, North, Secord and Hakim exploited and corrupted the secret program to sell arms to Iran to help release American hostages by diverting millions of dollars in profits to Enterprise bank accounts, according to the indictment. The money was to be spent, with Poindexter's approval, for purposes designated by North, Secord and Hakim, including buying military weapons and supplies for the Contras.

PHOTO: below, John Poindexter. / Los Angeles Times; PHOTO: Lt. Col. Oliver North at a press conference after indictment and, / BERNIE BOSTON / Los Angeles Times; PHOTO: Oliver L. North; PHOTO: [Richard V. Secord]; PHOTO: John M. Poindexter; PHOTO: [Albert A. Hakim]