ROBERT R. MULLEN COMPANY - PROPOSED RESPONSE TO NEWS MEDIA. REQUEST FOR COMPENSATION FROM THE AGENCY.(W/ATTACHMENTS)

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00506623
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 6
• Document Creation Date: March 9, 2023
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2020
• Case Number: F-2016-01299
• Publication Date: July 15, 1974

r-,
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
/LIS73
15 July 1974
MEMORANDUM FOR: Acting Deputy Director for Operations
SUBJECT: Robert R. Mullen Company
1. Attached hereto are:
a. MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD by (b)(1)
dated 15 July 1974, subject: "Proposed Response ODA
to News Media - Request for Compensation from
the Agency," and
b. a rough first draft of a public statement on the
Mullen Company's cooperation with CIA prepared
by Mr. Mullen. As indicated in the bottom of
the statement, Mr. Mullen is asking for our and
Senator Baker's clearances.
2. In regard to Mr. Mullen's c statement, I
recommend that we thank ullen for having made it
available to us but provide an official or
unofficial clearance or make any other suggestions
in regard to his contents.
(Thie.::
(*hi/ h.,-
3. In regard to Mr. Mullen's rcwitiPqt for m?netary
indemnification, I propose to have inform (b)(1)
Mr. Mullen that his lawyer may contact Mr. John Warner, (b)(3)
General Counsel CIA.
4. I would appreciate
recommendations so that
them to Mr'. Mullen.
2 Atts: A/S
early
approval of these 2
can communicate
Chief, Cover -& Commercial Staff
-
DATE:
Dividvft. Blee, Acting DDO
cc: OGC, OLC, IG Mr. Bolten
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
Cr1974
UBMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD
SUBJECT: Proposed Response to News Media.
Request for Compensation from the Agency.
1. Upon arriving home from the office on Friday, 12 July 1974,
the undersigned found a letter from Robert R. Mullen, chairman of
the board of Robert R. Mullen Company, which contained a draft of a.
response which Robert R. Mullen is considering making to the news
media concerning the role the Robert R. Mullen Company played in the
Watergate incident and reciting the company's history of cooperation
with the Agency.
2. Mr. Mullen had attached a note requesting that he be tele-
phoned, which 117411 done at approximately 1800 hours on 12 July. We
briefly discussed the draft of the response prepared by Ht. Mullen,
who:vaar_uncertain_whetherto give it. to the newspapers., ask Senator
Baker to put it into the Congressional Record, or forget the whole
matter. I told Mt. Mellen that the draft, a copy of Which is attached,
would be discussed with Erich (Isenstead) on Monday, 15 July.
3, Mr. Mullen then stated that Robert F. Bennett, president of
Robert R. Mullen Company, was about to place the company in bankruptcy
and had asked Mr Mullen to writ, off Mr. Bennett's debt to Mr. Mellen
of $150,000. Mr. Mullen believed that Mr. Bennett plans to go to
California to accept employment with one of Howard Hughes' companies.
Mt. Mullen then said he wished to get in touch with someone in the
Agency for the purpose of requesting payment of 850,000 to W. Bennett
and $100,000 to himself AS he felt that the financial problems of the
Mullen Company resulted from its cooperation with the Agency. The
undersigned observed that the difficulties stemmed from the hiring of
E. Howard Hunt by the Mellen Company which the undersitned had recommended
against for reasons of cover and security. Mt. Mullen evaded a response
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
to this comment and said merely that he hoped the matter could be
discussed vith the Agency. Mr. Mullen said he has no point of contact
in the Agency other than the undersigned and desires that someone in
the Agency contact his attorney.
4. It was ascertained that his attorney is Janes Heffernan of the
firm of Sutherland, Asbill and Brennan, 1616 "K" Street, W. W.,
Washington, D. C. Mt. Mullen agreed that due to the lateness of the hour
and because it was -Friday evening, the matter could wait until early in
the week of 15 July, and that he would be notified concerning both the
above-described news media release and his request for compensation. (b)(1)
(b)(3)
5. The above was related to C/CCS at approximately 1830 hours on
12 July.
6. Mr. Mullen resides in
and his telephone number is Code
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
DISTRIBUTION:
Original -
(b)(1)
(b)(3)
cc: 1 - DDO
1 - 00C
1 - IC
1 OLC
Attachment: Mr. Mullen's Draft of
Proposed Response to
News Media
7
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
C.:71om Egg dzikof
ROBERT R. MULLEN
July 9 '74
Marty,
Per our phone conversation,
this is what I drafted.
Call me.
bob...
[phone]
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
DRAFT
In response to inquiries from the media Robert R. Mullen & Co.
wishes to state that some years ago at the urgent request of the Central Intell-
igence Agency it assisted in the opening of an office in a certain country.
still
In our judgement, it/would be contrary to the interests of the United States to
divulge the name of this country, +est ice was not concez106d with
matters in that country but was required solely for the transmission of
vital information from certain persons aiding the U.S. The gullen Company
was able to help on very short notice and did so without charge to the
Government inlmilt
When this work was concluded--with a success for which we were
warmly thanked by appropriate officials" -War-employees were redundant. They
remained on our payroll until proper places could be 41,-;;;;157 found for them.
They were employed by the Mullen Company only in normal a4=mmve=4.4*Nre
aspects of its business and in no way imposed on the hospitality of the countries
in which they resided. In no instance did this represent more than 5% of the
Mullen Company activity, and was entirely non-u:914)
printrmutitTe 6771;17 �Me Mullen Company and all relationship
1
between-ths-balen-.Evmpartr.elid the CIA was terminated.
The employment of Mx. Hunt had no relationship whatsover to the
employee
above. Although he :lad been an � � 1 of the C IA and was recommended a-
_
(;;by that agency, we were advised that he was fully retired. His work for
our C ompany was as a writer and executive on a specific project of a
public advertising and public relations nature. When he became a consultant
at the White House he terminated his full time employment witli-Vs, but
.���������������
continued on a part time basis on our project.ialtaisaxax..gxempistaL
�
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 000506623
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623
-2
At no time were we advised, or were we aware, of the nature of
his work for the White House.
The above information, with the approval of the CIA, was made
freely available to the FBI, the Watergate prosecutors and the Ervin Committee.
It is to answer speculations, surmises and misinformation that we feel
it necessary to state the above.
Robert R. Mullen, Chairman
Robert F. Bennett. president
The above statement accords with
our understanding and information,
CIA, by
The above statement accords it
=0.41e44.*(7�
ftwermi with the 4a..-stalements
given our committee by
officials of the Mullen Company
and the CIA.
ErviK)Comm. by H. Baker
Approved for Release: 2020/08/14 C00506623