The Nation : Hasenfus Hits State Dept.

Eugene Hasenfus, the American captured in Nicaragua while airdropping arms to the contras, charged the State Department reneged on pledges to ensure repayment of expenses connected with his trial in Managua last year. Hasenfus and his wife, Sally, estimated they incurred more than $30,000 in expenses during his confinement. He was pardoned Dec. 17 and released. His wife said that William Schofield, an aide to Elliott Abrams, the assistant secretary of state for inter-American affairs, “very specifically . . . assured me they would get all our expenses paid for.” However, a State Department spokesman said that no department official had ever discussed Mrs. Hasenfus’ bills with her.