WATERGATE INCIDENT--STATUS REPORT (W/ATTACHMENTS)

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 16201963
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 15
• Document Creation Date: October 23, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 10, 2023
• Case Number: F-2021-00923
• Publication Date: June 26, 1972

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_ ROUTING AND REcoRD SHEET
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FROM:
Howard J. Osborn 1.1..../
Director of Security
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Deputy Director
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26 June 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Support
iDDis
IExecutive Registry
SUBJECT : Watergate Incident�Status Report
1. The attached status report represents a concise
summary of the involvement of this Office thus far in protect-
ing Agency equities arising from the "Watergate Incident."
2. We have been cooperating fully with the Federal
Bureau of Investigation and have responded in writing to various
requests from them for traces. These memoranda were cleared
in advance with the Executive Director-Comptroller.
3. I believe that you may wish to forward the attached
to Mr. Colby for his information. I believe he is faLiailiar with
some of the material involved but may not know of the involve-
ment of several current and former staff employees.
Attachment
owarci. J. Dorn
Director of curity
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I. ENTRY INTO DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
A. BACKGROUND
Five men were a,xrested by the Washington Metropolitan
Police at 2:10 a.. mo on 17 June 1972, after having been
clicovered breaking into the Democratic National Head-
quarters at the Watergate in Washington, D. C. The five
men had cameras and rather sophisticated bugging equip-
ment. Although the suspects initially used aliases during
the police interrogation, they were identified as Messrs.
James Walter McCord, Jr.; Bernard L. Barker; Frank
Anthony Sturgis; Eugenio Rolando Martinez Careaga; and
Virgilio Ramon Gonzales -Rosabel. The Watergate incident
has continued to receive extensive publicity, and there is
suspicion that a sixth person was directly involved in the
illegal entry.
B. PRIMARY FIGURES
1. James Walter McCord, Jr.
Mr. James W. McCord, Jr., a former Agent of the
Federal Bureau of Investigation, served as a Staff
Employee of the Agency from 22 August 1951 until
his retirement on 31 August 1970. At the time of his
retirement, he was a GS-15, Security Officer. He
has since set up his private investigative organization
known as McCord Associates, and in early 1972, he
was named Security Coordinator for the National
Committee for the Re-election of President Nixon.
2. Bernard L. Barker
Mr. Bernard L. Barker, a former Captain in the U. S.
Air Force, was born in Cuba of American-born parents,
and he began cooperating with the Agency in 1959. He
was hired on a contract basis in April 1960, and was
used primarily to report on Cuban exile activities. Mr.
Barker was terminated by the Agency on 31 July 1966,
to accept employment in private industry.
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3. Frank Anthony Sturgis
Mr. Frank Anthony Sturgis, who has used numerous
aliases, formerly served in the U. S. Marine Corps
and the U. S. Army in the 1940s. As of 1959, Mr.
Sturgis was a:Captain in the Cuban Army, but later
became disillusioned with Castro, became a soldier
of fortune, and in 1961 headed an organization Called
the International Anticommunist Brigade, which he
claimed had 5, 000 members. Mr. Sturgis was never
recruited by the Agency, but has been associated with
Mr. Eugenio Rolando Martinez Careaga, an Agency
contact since the 1960's.
4. Eugenio Rolando Martinez Careaga
Mr. Eugenio Rolando Martinez Careaga, an American
citizen of Cuban birth, was recruited by the Agency in
1961. The project to which he was assigned was
terminated in 1969, and he has since been on a part-
time retainer to report on the Cuban exile community,
receiving $100. 00 a month. Prior to 1969, he received
$8, 100. 00 per year for his full-time operational activity.
It is to be noted that Mr. Martinez is a reS.1 estate
partner of Mr. Bernard L. Barker.
5. Virgilio Ramon Gonzales -Rosabel
Mr. Virgilio Ramon Gonzales-Rosabeli who has used
various aliases, is not on record in WH Division/DDP,
or any other component of the Agency. The Federal
Bureau of Investigation has been advised that the Central
Intelligence Agency has no record of Mr. Gonzales-Rosabel.
C. THE WHITE HOUSE
Everette Howard Hunt, Jr.
Mr. Everette Howard Hunt, Jr., a former War Correspondent
and free lance writer, was previously affiliated with the., Office
of Strategic Services, and he was employed as an Agency Staff
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Employee from 8 November 1949 until his retirement
on 30 April 1970, when he commenced private employ-
ment with Robert R. Mullen and Company, a firm
which has been utilized by the Agency for cover purposes.
A news article of July 1971 indicated that Mr. Hunt joined
the White House ,Staff as a Consultant to President Nixon
preparatory to the President's visit to the Peoples
Republic of China. Much of the recent publicity in-the
case has focused on Mr. Hunt, who was interviewed by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation on 17 June 1972. He
admitted that he had written a check to Mr. McCord but
invoked his Constitutional rights on all other questions.
On the White House issue, previous reference was made
to the employment of Mr. James W. McCord by the
Committee for the Re-election of President Nixon.
D. CURRENT AGENCY STAFF EMPLOYEES
1. James Corbin Fitchett
James Corbin Fitchett entered on duty with the
Agency in early 1952, and is currently a GS-13,
Security Officer. His wife, Kathryn Fit9hett, is
also an Office of Security employee. Scheduled
to retire from the Agency on 30 June 1972, Mr.
Fitchett made it known to Mr. McCord in May 1972,
that he would be available to work with the Committee
for the Re-election of President Nixon, and he was
offered a position as a paid Security Officer. Mr.
McCord initially wanted to utilize him as of 15 June
1972, but Mr. Fitchett requested a polygraph inter-
view to substantiate his claim that he was not involved
in the Watergate incident. Polygraph testing on
20 June 1972, was completely favorable.
2. Ralph Orlando True
Ralph Orlando True entered on duty with the Agency
on 1 December 1950, and is currently a GS-15, Secu-
rity Officer. Scheduled to retire from the Agency on
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30 June 1972, Mr. True planned on assuming a
position with McCord Associates or an affiliate
security unit. It has been established that Mr.
True was in Mr. McCord's office at the Com-
mittee for the Re-election of President Nixon on
16 June 1972, the day before the Watergate
incident. M. True denies any direct involve-
ment in the case.
3. Donald Read Heath, Jr.
Donald Read Heath, Jr. entered on duty with the
Agen.cy -in mid-1952, and is currently a GS-14,
Operations Officer assigned to WH Division/DDP.
He has been acquainted with Mr. Everette Howard
Hunt, Jr., through the years, and he developed an
acquaintance with Mr. James W. McCord, Jr., at
Montgomery Community College in the fall of 1971,
when Mr. McCord was teaching an industrial
security course at the educational institution. Mr.
Heath's association with Mr. McCord developed
through his interest in a young Chilean protege,
Juan Rigoberto RUIZ Villegas, who formerly worked
as an Agency operational asset in Santiago, Chile. It
is to be noted that Mr. Heath arranged foat Juan RUIZ
Villegas to acquire an office position at McCord
Associates while the young Chilean continued to live
in Mr. Heath's home, drive Mr. Heath's vehicle, and
attend school.
4. Harry Thayer Mahoney
Harry Thayer Mahoney entered on duty with the Agency
on 30 March 1951, and is currently a GS-14, Operations
Officer assigned to WH Division/DDP. Scheduled to
retire from the Agency on 30 June 1972, Mr. Mahoney,
a former polygraph examiner in the Office of Security,
is acquainted with Messrs. Ralph 0. True and Everette
Howard Hunt, Jr. The Office of Personnel Outplace-
ment Assistance Branch referred Mr. Mahoney to Mr.
McCord and he was interviewed for a position at his
offices for the Committee for the Re-election. of '
President Nixon, or or about 10 May 1972, Mr.
Mahoney was offe,ved a position with McCord Associates.
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McCord Associates has an approved job resume,
but Mr. Mahoney has made no decision on taking
the McCord offer.
E. FORMER AGENCY STAFF EMPLOYEES
1. , Therese Mae Shea
Mrs. Therese Mae Shea served as a GS-07, Staff
Employee of the Agency from 15 June 1948 until
her resignation from maternity leave on 20 April
1956. Her husband, William Francis Shea, was
also with the Agency until February 1971. Mrs.
Shea has been working as a secretary to Mr. James
W. McCord at McCord Associates in Rockville,
Maryland, and she quite naturally has extensive
knowledge of Agency contacts with the private
investigative firm. She knows Mr. Donald Read
Heath, Jr., and is aware of his ties with .Juan
Rigoberto RUIZ Villegas.
2. Dr. Edward Mansfield Gunn
Dr. Edward M. Gunn served with the Agency from
13 June 1955 until 31 May 1971, and he was a GS-17,
Deputy Director of Medical Services, at the time of�
his retirement. Dr. Gunn was interviewed by an
Office of Security representative on 19 June 1972, and
discussed in some detail his involvement with the
Institute for Protection and Safety Studies, Incorporated,
which is affiliated with McCord Associates and occupies
space in the same offices. Dr. Gunn last had direct
personal contact with Mr. McCord on 21 'April 1972,
and he denies having any knowledge of the Watergate
incident.
3. Dr Jacob Victor Golder
Dr. Jacob V. Golder, a former OSS employee, served
with the Agency from 3 January 1955 until 16 April,
1971, and be was a GS-15, Chief of Psychological
Services Staff/Office of Medical Services, at the time of
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his retirement. He is still being utilized by the
Agency on a contract basis at the SECRET level.
Dr. Golder has not yet been interviewed (as of
23 June 1972) but indications are that his ties to
Mr. McCord are similar to those of Dr. Gunn
mainly through his participation as a Consultant-
Instructor at the Institute for Protection and Safety
Studies, Incorporated.
4. William Francis Shea
Williarri F. Shea served with the Agency from July
1951 until February 1971, and was a GS-14,
Intelligence Officer with the Office of Strategic
Research, DDI, at the time of his resignation. He
had unsatisfactory fitness reports; resigned in lieu
of termination; and may not be too favorably disposed
towards the Agency. As previously indicated, his
wife, Therese Mae Shea, works as a secretary at
McCord Associates. The Office of Personnel referred
Mr. Shea to McCord Associates in 1971, and Dr.
Edward M. Gunn indicated that Mr. Shea is affiliated
with the Institute for Protection and Safety Studies, Inc.
5. Walter Edward Bra.yclen.
Walter Edward Brayden served with the Agency from
2 February 1948 until 31 October 1969, and was a
GS-13, Intelligence Officer, assigned to Operational
Services/Central Cover Staff/DDP, at the time of his
retirement. Mr. Brayden was interviewed by an
Office of Security representative on 20 June 1972,
when he indicated that he has been employed by McCord
Associates in minor security duties during the last few
months. In April 1972, he served as a guard for Mrs.
Martha Mitchell on a trip to Chicago, and he expected
to work on a security survey of the Hotel Fontainbleau
in Miami in late June 1972.
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6. George Theodore Stanton
George Theodore Stanton served with the Agency
from 4 August 1947 to 8 January 1972, and was a
GS-14, Operations Officer, assigned to the Counter
Intelligence Staff/DDP, at the time of his retirement.
Dr. Edward M. Gunn indicated that Mr. Stanton has
been serving as a Consultant to the Institute for
Protection of Safety Studies, Incorporated.
7. Louis Edgar Sherrard
Louis Edgar Sherrard served with the Agency from
2 July 1952 until 31 January 1969, when he resigned.
At the time of his resignation, he was a GS-13, Secu-
rity Officer assigned to the Security Research Staff.
Mr. Sherrardls employment background centers on
industrial and. physical security, and he resigned from
the Agency with the stated intention of taking a position
with Bestlin.e Products, Incorporated, of 'San Jose,
California. There have been recent "rumors" that Mr.
Sherrard is in some way affiliated with McCord
Associates, but there are no specifics on this.
8. Ross Ward Lambert
Ross Ward Lambert, a former OSS employee, served
with the Agency from 11 January 1965 to 9 August
1971, and was a GS-13, Contract Employee assigned
to the Special Operations Division./DDP, at the time of
his resignation. Mr. Lambert served extensively in
Far East Division overseas posts, and there was a
previous security interest in the case because of his
daughter's involvement in activities of the Students for
a Democratic Society (SDS). The Office of Personnel
referred Mr. Lambert to McCord Associates but he
took a job elsewhere.
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9. James Louis Baker
James Louis Baker served with the Agency from
2 July 1952 until 24 June 1972, when his contract
was allowed to expire. Mr. Baker, a GS-12,
Operations Officer assigned to Special Operations
DivisioniDDP, was in Saigon, South Vietnam,
from April 1968 until 24 July 1971, when he was
returned to Headquarters because of serious marital
and related medical problems involving his wife.
Divorce proceedings continued through early 1972,
and his case has been monitored by the Office of
Personnel. Subject was referred to McCord
Associates by the Office of Personnel, but he
acquired a position with the Bureau of Narcotics and
Dangerous Drugs, to be effective as of 26 June 1972.
His application may possibly be on file at McCord
Associates.
F. OTHER CIA CONNECTIONS
1. Robert Foster Bennett
Robert Foster Bennett, son of U.S. Senattr Wallace
Bennett of Utah, is Director and Executive Vice-
President of Robert R. Mullen and Company, which
has been utilized by the Agency for commercial
cover purposes. Mr. Bennett has been interviewed
by members of the news media because of intense
interest in Mr. Everette Howard Hunt, Jr., a former
Agency Staff Employee working for the same firm. A
Covert Security Approval was issued on 19 March
1971 for Mr. Benn.ett's use in providing cover for an
Agency overseas asset. The Executive Director-
Comptroller and the Director of Central Intelligence
were advised at the time of the approval.
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2. Juan Rigoberto RUIZ Villeg,as
Juan Rigoberto RUIZ Villegas was hired by Mr.
Donald R. Heath, Jr. as a Covert Asset in
Santiago, Chile and continued to be used in Chile
from June 19t9 to June 1971. RUIZ came to the
United States in August 1971, became something of
a Heath protege, and resided in Mr. Heath's home
from 19 August 1971 to 21 April 1972. RUIZ
attended Montgomery Community College, became
acquainted with Mr. James W. McCord at that
educational institution, and later acquired
temporary (and illegal) employment at McCord
Associates as a sort of caretaker. Mr. Heath also
assisted Mr. McCord in arranging for the payment
of RUIZ, a Chilean National, and Mr. Heath at one
point got RUIZ a part-time job with Mr. Glenn I.
Sedam, Head of the District of Columbia Committee
to Re-elect Richard Nixon.
G. COVER ORGANIZATIONS
1. Robert R. Mullen and Company
Robert R. Mullen. and Company has been utilized by
the Central Cover Staff since 1963, and since that
time a total of eight people of the Mullen Company
have been cleared or made witting of Agency ties.
Mr. Mullen has provided sensitive cover support
overseas for Agency employees and he was
instrumental in the formation of the Cuban Freedom
Committee. Mr. Edward Naeher, Mullen.'s Book-
keeper and Accountant, is a retired CIA Finance
Officer. As of I May 1970, Mr. Everette Howard
Hunt, Jr., who had just retired from the Agency,
became a legitimate employee of Mr. Mullen. He is
aware of at least two present cover placements under
Robert R. Mullen and Company. The Federal Bureau
of Investigation was informed of this Agency connection
by memorandum dated 21 June 1972.
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2. Interprogres
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Interprogres is a new subsidiary of the Mullen
Company formed in 1971, as a result of contacts
developed at the Zagreb Trade Fair in Yugoslavia.
It is a pilot operation aimed at expanding East-
West comme'rcial relationships. At least two
have tangential tasks of
promoting the acceptance of this company as a
Mullen subsidiary. The Federal Bureau of
Investigation was advised of the Agency connection
by memorandum dated 21 June 1972, which covered
Robert R. Mullen and Company.
3. General Foods Corporation
General Foods Corporation, headquartered in the
White Plains, New York area, is a client of Robert
R. Mullen and Company. The General Foods
Corporation is providing cover support to.
\ Over the years, because of person-
nel changes, sixteen officials have been cleared on
certain aspects of our interests, but they have not
been informed of our use of Robert R. Mt4len. and
Company. The Federal Bureau of Investigation was
informed of our ties to the General Foods
Corporation by memorandum dated 21 June 1972.
H. RELATED AGENCY CHECKS
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and/or the news media
have mentioned the following individuals or organizations in
the course of the investigation of the Watergate incident.
Agency records are either negative or contain no information
directly pertinent to the Watergate incident:
1. Association of National Advertisers
Association of National Advertisers was mentioned
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as having
offices with Robert R. Mullen and Company. The
Bureau was advised "no recordTM.
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"CIF", without further details, was mentioned
by the Federal Bureau of Investigation as having
offices with Robert R. Mullen and Company.
The Bureau ,vas advised "no record" on the basis
of available information.
3. Arneritas, Incorporated
Ameritas, Incorporated is said to be a Florida
real esfate firm and several individuals listed
employment with this organization when registering
at the Watergate. The Bureau was advised no
record".
4. George Leonard
George Leonard, 1601 Washington Avenue, Kansas
City, Kansas, registered at the Watergate. The
Federal Bureau of Investigation was advised "not
identifiable".
5. Edward Warner
Edward Warner, 143 West 73rd Street, New York
City, New York, registered at the Watergate. The
Federal Bureau of Investigation was advised "not
identifiable". The Federal Bureau of Investigation
later listed the person as Edward L. Warren, of
the same address, and we advised no record".
The press has speculated that E. Warren." may
be an alias of Mr. James W. McCord.
6. Paul Jose Piedra
Paul Jose Piedra registered at the Watergate. The
Federal Bureau of Investigation was advised "no
record".
70 Joe Granada
Joe Granada registered at the Watergate. The Federal
Bureau of InveETIMbiaiyt advised "no record".
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8. Michael Douglas Caddy
Michael Douglas Caddy (aka:. Douglas Caddy) is a
lawyer with an office at 1250 Connecticut Avenue,
Northwest, Washington, D. C. He is mentioned in
the press as ;an attorney who was called into the
case by the wife of Mr. Bernard L. Barker, one of
the primary figures in the Watergate incident. -
On 21 June 1972, the Federal Bureau of Investigation
was advised that Caddy has never been employed by
or associated with the Agency in any capacity.
9. McCord Associates
No Agency file reference located on McCord Associates.
10. Institute for Protection and Safety Studies, Inc.
Institute for Protection and Safety Studies, Inc. is
affiliated indirectly with McCord Associates and
has offices at the same Rockville, Maryland address.
11. Joseph A. Rafferty, Jr.
Joseph A. Rafferty, Jr., a trial lawyer who was called
into the case by Mr. Barker's attorney, Douglas Caddy.
No record.
12. Miguel A. Suarez
Miguel A. Suarez is .mentioned in the press as a Cuban
exile and lawyer and one of the "links to the Republican
Party". He was listed by the press as a self-styled
"Nixonian" who represented Florida's Cuban community
in dealing with former GOP Governor Claude R. Kirk, Jr.
He is listed as having an office with Mr. Barker at 955 -
First Street, Southwest, Miami, Florida,. and is said to
be a business partner of Mr. Barker. Allegedly the
Federal Bureau of Investigation planned on interviewing
him. He was of Agency interest between 1960 and 1965
in connection with propaganda activities aimed toward
Cuba. rTE-Q
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13. Marie-Elene Barker Moffett
Marie-Elene Barker Moffett is mentioned in the
press as the daughter of Mr. Bernard L. Barker.
Thought was given to releasing Mr. Barker to her
custody. No/record.
142 Alberto Ca.rricarte
Alberto Carricarte is mentioned in the press as the
law partner of Miguel A. Suarez and Secretary of
Ameritas, Incorporated. No record.
15. All State Investment Fund, S.A. ,
All State Investment Fund, S.A., is mentioned in
the press as the parent company of Ameritas,
Incorporated. It reportedly was established in
Panama by Miguel A. Suare;-: to engage in real
estate investment activities in the Caribbean area.
No record
I. BIOGRAPHIC SUMMARIES
Complete biographic summaries have been prepared on those
current Staff Employees, former Staff Employees, and
Contract Personnel who were in any way connected with the
Watergate incident, McCord Associates, the Institute for
Protection and Safety Studies, Inc., or cover organizations.
J. ADDENDUM
Mr. Ralph Orlando True was interviewed by the Federal Bureau
of Investigation on 23 June 1972, and he furnished a statement
covering his association with Mr. James W. McCord and
possible future employment by McCord Associates. The Bureau
was following up on Mr. Truets Agency telephone extension.
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