TRIP TO MEDITERRANEAN AND EUROPE

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-04718A001500240049-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 12, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 8, 2000
• Sequence Number: 49
• Publication Date: June 16, 1955
• Content Type: MEMO

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16 June 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. Lawrence R. Houston
SUBJECT : Trip to Mediterranean and Europe
1. A situation arose in 0 last January which was
embarrassing to the United States and this Agency., and which it
appeared might endanger the security of our operations there% An
employee of the Station injured al I in a night club
altercation and the officer subsequently died. The employee was
arrested and charged with manslaughter. He had been working in a
particularly sensitive program and investigation and publicity
were highly undersirable. It appeared that the case might be
disposed of quickly in the courts if a guilty plea were made.
This procedure seemed attractive from the standpoint of security
and publicity, However' the cognizant officials at Headquarters
were anxious that the rights and interests of the employee be
justly protected, and concerned lest the Agency be put in a posi-
tion where it might appear that the employee had pled guilty for
our convenience. The undersigned conferred with the Dirpr.4rn- nf'
2. A thorough review of the case indicated that the accused
had little to gain by pleading guilty. The II Government 25X1A
had made no assurances as to the disposition of the case in the
event of a guilty plea except that it would be expeditious. It
was found that the case could be sent to a lower court even in 25X1A
the event of a "not guilty" plea. The best known surgeon II
indicated his willingness to testify that., on the basis of
e medical history of this case, it was exceedingly unlikely that
the blow struck by the accused was the principal cause of death.
This was based on the fact that the symptoms of the deceased were
not of great severity. He appeared to recover but was taken ill
several days later and died almost a week after the night of the
altercation. There had already been considerable newspaper
publicity and it appeared that a normal trial would not be
dangerous from this standpoint. The employee had retained compe-
tent counsel to represent him. He was advised by the undersigned
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and by the Chief of Station that he should make his own decision
as to his plea. Upon the advice of his counsel he pled "not
guilty."
3. The case was tried on 3 June in the District Court in
The accused was found guilty, and paid a fine of one-
hundred pounds, He left I immediately, and has since
been terminated and processed out at Headquarters, Upon the
advice of his counsel, he is filing an appeal on the ground that
the evidence at the trial was not sufficient to establish his guilt
beyond a reasonable doubt. In accordance with the wishes of the
Director, appropriate messages of appreciation are being conveyed to
e secure and fair manner in which the case was handled. This is
being attended to by the Office of Communications.
4. In this case it was very important that an attorney represent-
ing the Agency be present on the scene to coordinate and supervise
matters. Unfortunately, legal cases take time to conclude. The
General Counsel's Office should be staffed in such a way that it
can provide attorneys for indefinite periods of time to handle
overseas cases such as this.
5. It was agreed with the various Division Chiefs that the
undersigned would attempt to visit their principal Stations on this
trip to provide assistance and advice on legal and tax matters and
on certain specific projects, The Stations were so advised and
arranged interview schedules when the undersigned arrived. The most
important subject covered was the institution and operation of the
new Covert Tax Unit. The details of this Unit were clarified. in the
minds of Station and Agent personnel. Certain specific matters
which were too complicated or involved with emotion to be effectively
handled by cable or dispatch were discussed with the individuals
concerned. It was found. that the morale of some Agents was being
affected by uncertainties as to tax and legal matters affecting
them,
7. Legal assistance was given II on two rather urgent
cases which arose during this trip. One involved an agent in jail
charged with doing grievous bodily harm with a weapon; the other
involved a threat of libel suit against the publisher of a book
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produced under one of our projects. Both cases are being followed
up with the responsible officials at Headquarters. The legal
details of funding two publication projects were worked out with
the case officers and subsequently here at Headquarters,
8. Various projects which the undersigned has worked on at
Headquarters were discussed with the case officers overseas., and a
great variety of legal questions were raised by the Stations. The
trip was concluded by arrival in Washington on 5 June.
9. It appears that an attorney from the Office of the General
Counsel should visit the major Stations periodically., and other
Stations as the need arises.
25X1A9a
Assistant General Counsel
BET
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