Ehrlichman, John D(aniel)

(born March 20, 1925, Tacoma, Wash., U.S.—died Feb. 14, 1999, Atlanta, Ga.) U.S. presidential assistant who played a central role in the Watergate scandal. He received his law degree from Stanford University in 1951 and established a law firm in Seattle, Wash. In 1969 he became domestic affairs adviser to Pres. Richard Nixon. With H.R. Haldeman he formed the so-called “palace guard” that controlled access to the president and filtered information directed to him. Ehrlichman soon established a group known as the “plumbers,” whose purpose was to acquire political intelligence and to repair “leaks” of information to the press. When members of the plumbers were caught breaking into Democratic Party headquarters at the Watergate complex, Ehrlichman became involved in a cover-up of involvement by White House officials. He was forced to resign in 1973. Convicted of conspiracy, perjury, and obstruction of justice, he served 18 months in jail. See also Pentagon Papers.