Two North Operatives Got Heritage Foundation Aid

WASHINGTON — The conservative Heritage Foundation funneled $100,000 to an organization headed by two of Lt. Col. Oliver L. North’s key contra aid operatives and never got any indication the money was spent on research as intended, a Heritage spokesman said Monday.

The donation was disclosed after North’s testimony at the Iran-contra hearings Monday about what appeared to be a private fund-raising channel not previously revealed.

The Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank highly regarded by the Administration, asked for, but never received, evidence that the $100,000 donated by a wealthy Pittsburgh businessman had been spent on Central America research, Heritage Foundation executive vice president Phillip Truluck said. That was the purpose outlined by Frank Gomez and Richard Miller when their organization applied for the grant, he said.