The United States was found guilty of violating international law by the International Court of Justice in the 1986 case of Nicaragua v. United States yet refused to participate or pay the reparations that had been ordered by the court.[70] Christian Mixter, a lawyer on the staff of Independent Counsel, reported that President Reagan had been made aware of each arms transaction to Iran. However, it would be difficult for Reagan to be prosecuted because the 1947 National Security Act could override the Arms Export Control Act.[71] Reagan felt that he could answer questions about illegal actions but not about him passing up the chance to free hostages.