Becker, Benton Lee, 1938-

Benton Lee Becker was born in 1938 in Washington, D.C. He received a B.A. from the University of Maryland in 1960, and a J.D. from American University in 1966. He was a trial attorney for the Fraud Section of the Department of Justice Criminal Service Division, 1966 to 1968, and Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1968 to 1970. From 1970 to 1977 he was a partner in the law firm of Cramer, Haber, & Becker in Washington, D.C. Although not a member of Gerald R. Ford''s congressional or White House staff, Becker played an integral role in some of the most important events of Gerald Ford''s career, including the investigation of Associate Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, Ford''s confirmation as Vice President, the Nixon pardon, and the disposition of Nixon''s papers. Becker and Ford first met in 1967 when Becker was Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice investigating a matter involving possible congressional corruption. In 1970, Becker assisted Ford in preparing the unsuccessful impeachment case against Associate Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas. When nominated for the vice presidency in October 1973, Ford called on Becker and others for assistance in preparing for the confirmation hearings. Becker assumed a key role on the "Confirmation Team," headed by Robert Hartmann, and is credited with developing the "Answer Book." While at the witness table, nominee Ford regularly referred to this indexed series of questions and answers regarding his political record. As Vice President, Ford frequently sought Becker''s advice. In August 1974, Becker took a leave of absence from his active law practice to assist Ford during the presidential transition. Becker made several recommendations for the disposition of President Nixon''s papers, and was integral in stopping their destruction or shipment to San Clemente, California. In September 1974, President Ford and Philip Buchen, counsel to the President, selected Becker to negotiate a pardon agreement with ex-President Nixon. Becker performed the legal research to determine Ford''s authority to pardon Nixon. Ford and Buchen also instructed Becker to obtain an agreement regarding the possession and control of Nixon''s papers and tapes, and they asked Becker to assess Nixon''s mental and physical condition. Becker also brought back to the White House the Nixon-Sampson agreement on the disposition of the Nixon papers. Becker served as Counsel to the Republican National Committee in 1976, and he was a professor at the University of Miami School of Law from 1977 to 1982. From 1982 to 1983 he served as Senior Trial Attorney for the Office of Dade County''s State Attorney, from 1983 to 1991 he had a private law practice, and from 1988 to 1991 he was an adjunct professor in constitutional law at the University of Miami.