"November 1981: Robb elected governor, begins trips to beach.

Feb. 7, 1984: Robb and former Beauty queen Tai Collins meet at a hotel in New York. Collins later says they had an affair. Robb denies it, but admits Collins gave him a nude massage.

Spring, 1987:Robb's name surfaces in a federal grand jury investigation into cocaine trafficking in Virginia Beach. Prosecutors say he is not a target.

July 27, 1987: Virginia Beach private investigator Billy Franklin acknowledges he was hired to look into Robb's private life.

Nov. 10, 1987: Robb announces his candidacy for U.S. Senate.

Aug. 12, 1988: Robb's campaign committee files complaint with Federal Elections commission, charging that money paid to Franklin should have been reported as a campaign expense by his Republican opponent.

Aug. 28, 1988: The Virginian-Pilot and The Ledger-Star report that Robb attended parties in Virginia Beach where cocaine was used. The article identified 10 friends and acquaintances of Robb's and detailed their links to a federal probe into cocaine use in the Norfolk area.

October 1988: Lt. Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is traveling in the Hampton Roads area, talking to a political supporter and gossiping about Robb's career. The car phone conversation is secretly recorded.

Jan. 3, 1989: Robb is sworn into Senate.

February 1989: Wilder tape is turned over to David McCloud, Robb's chief of staff. Robb's aides later purchase Franklin's phone records.

June-December 1990: Franklin completes his manuscript on the findings of his investigation into Robb's private life. The Washington Post conducts its own investigation.

November 1990: Watson goes to Boston to interview a young woman about allegations she had a sexual relationship with Robb. The $500 plane trip is paid with Robb campaign funds, but is incorrectly reported to the FEC.

March 28, 1991: Robb aide Christine O. Bridge writes a memo outlining options to deal with possible bad publicity about Robb's private life. Memo outlines possible use of Wilder tape.

April 18, 1991: Watson and Robb spokesman Steve Johnson meet Post reporter and play tape. Aides say tape was played on condition that Post not publish its existence or contents.

April 25, 1991: Robb moves to counter allegations about his personal life in an upcoming television show; hires libel lawyers and plans news conference so aides can tell his side of the story.

April 28, 1991: NBC airs Exposé episode on Robb's private life entitled "The Senator's Secrets".

June 9, 1991: The Washington Post and Roanoke Times and World News publish excerpts of Wilder tape. Three Robb aides go on leave two days later.

June 15, 1991: FBI Raids house of Bobby Dunnington, seizing 154 tapes, each of which contained numerous recorded telephone calls, plus scanners and recorders.

July 19, 1991: Robb announces resignation of McCloud, Johnson and Watson. Says it was by "mutual consent."

Aug. 7, 1991: Robb testifies before federal grand jury.

Oct. 8 1991: Dunnington pleads guilty to illegally taping Wilder.

Jan. 23, 1992: Johnson pleads guilty to charges he conspired to publicly disclose the Wilder tape.

Feb. 13, 1992: Watson pleads guilty to charges he conspired to publicly disclose the Wilder tape.

May 1992: Robb is notified he is target of grand jury probe. He hires former Watergate prosecutor Charles F.C. Ruff.

May 20, 1992: McCloud pleads guilty to charges he helped disclose the tape and also to campaign finance violation and asserts that Robb's involvement with the tape was more extensive than the senator had indicated." (Jackson Dykman, The Washington Post, June 7, 1992).