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Texaco: no "N" word
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November 11, 1996: 10:04 p.m. ET
But plaintiff's lawyers say new review of tapes makes no difference
From Correspondent Allen Dodds Frank
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NEW YORK (CNNfn) - A team of experts hired by Texaco to investigate charges that Texaco executives used racially charged epithets says the most serious pejorative was not uttered. They say the word beginning with "N" was actually Nicholas - as in St. Nicholas.
But lawyers for black employees suing Texaco on grounds of racial discrimination say the newest findings make no difference.
Michael Armstrong, Texaco's outside counsel, said that the "N" word does not appear, "when you get a professional to clean them (tapes) up, that's not what they say." (120K WAV) or (120K AIFF)
Armstrong believes the plaintiff's lawyers made "an honest mistake" listening to muddy tapes made on a microcassette recorder.
Texaco Chairman Peter Bijur said the exact words or slurs used may not be the point. He said he remains troubled by the "categorically unacceptable context and tone of those conversations."
Michael Hausfeld, lawyer for the employees, agreed, saying the new version is not much better than last week's translation. "They are making fun of Hanukkah, disparaging Kwanza, and being disrespectful about Christmas- talking about _____ on St. Nicholas."
Texaco is in settlement talks with the plaintiff's lawyers who are seeking more than $70 million in back pay for more than 1,400 black employees.
Texaco's independent counsel did not address charges that the tapes show the executives discussed destroying documents. A federal grand jury is investigating that charge.
For Texaco, the apparent absence of the most inflammatory epithet was good public relations news. It could come in handy Tuesday when Texaco's chairman meets with Jesse Jackson and the head of the NAACP. 
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