The testimony of John Dean, the White House legal counsel, was crucial in breaking the Watergate case in 1973. Here's what he testified:
1. Dean testified that he had discussions with President Richard Nixon regarding the Watergate break-in and subsequent cover-up.
2. He revealed that he had informed Nixon about the involvement of White House officials in the illegal activities related to Watergate.
3. Dean testified that Nixon was aware of the ongoing efforts to obstruct the investigation and had authorized payments to the burglars to keep them silent.
4. He disclosed that Nixon had a secret taping system in the White House, which captured conversations that could potentially provide evidence of the cover-up.
5. Dean also shared information about the destruction of evidence and attempts to hinder the investigation.
Overall, Dean's testimony provided crucial insights into the extent of the Watergate scandal and implicated President Nixon in illegal activities. It played a significant role in exposing the truth behind the break-in and ultimately led to Nixon's resignation in 1974.