## Page 1

Date

Page

11/03/98

1

AGENCY

RECORD

NUMBER

RECORDS SERIES

AGENCY FILE NUMBER

JEK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

: INSCOM/CSF

: 194-10001-10120

DOD AFFILIATED PERSONNEL AND INCIDENT INVESTIGATIONS

AC678001R - PAGES 2396-2407

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR

FROM

SCREENING BOARD, PANEL NO.

TO

: DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEF

TITLE : MEMORANDUM

DATE: 08/04/70

PAGES : 12

SUBJECTS : SECURITY CLEARANCE RECOMMENDATION

WERBELL, MITCHELL LIVINGSTON, III - AKA: ALEX WILSON,

ERIC WILSON, ERIC STRAFF

DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : SECRET

RESTRICTIONS : 3

CURRENT STATUS : RELEASED WITH DELETIONS

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 09/12/97

OPENING CRITERIA : COMPLETION OF REVIEW BY OASD

COMMENTS : COORDINATION WITH OASD HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND

DETERMINED TO BE RELEASABLE, PER MEMO

DTD 12 SEP 97.

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act of

1 992 (44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW

E4954 Date: 09.22-2022

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SECRET

MEMORANDUM FOR:

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense

(Security Policy)

FROM: Screening Board, Panel No. 2

SUBJECT: WERBELL, Mitchell Livingston, III

CASE NO:

AKA: Alex Wilson, Eric Wilson,

Eric Straff

4 AUG 1970

OSD

69-59

I. (FOUO) Applicant has been employed by Sionics, Inc., Atlanta,

Georgia, since August 1967, as a Vice President and Director of

Research and Development of Exotic Weaponery.

2.

(FOUO) Extant clearance of Applicant as set forth by the file:

None. Requested: Secret.

submitted pursuant to Criterion N, DoD

Directive 5220.6, dated December 7, 1966. Type of Investigation:

Expanded National Agency Check completed by Air Force on December 30,

1968; FBI check completed on May 13, 1968, reflects Applicant was

arrested on March 1, 1967 for conspiracy to violate the U.S. Neutrality

Act.

3.

(SX All members of the Panel have read and evaluated the contents

of the case file attached hereto.

Pertinent information in the file

regarding Applicant includes the following:

a.

(FOUO) Applicant, a 52 year old married male born

March 8, 1918 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, presently lives in

Powder Springs, Georgia.

His Personnel Security Questionnaire

(PSQ) reflects honorable service in the U.S. Army from July 21, 1942

to December 30, 1952.

(FOUO) Applicant was arrested on March 1, 1967, at

Atlantic, Georgia, onia Federal Warrant issued by the U.S. District

Court for the Southern District of Florida, on a charge of conspiring

with six other persons to violate the U.S. Neutrality Act. Although

investigative report indicates the charges were dismissed on March 23,

1968, à newspaper article in file and Applicant's statement on

addendum sheet to DD Form 48 convince us that the charges were, in

fact, dismissed in 1967, soon after Applicant's indictment and immedi-

ately after he voluntarily appeared in answer to a Federal Warrant

voluntari appeared a 10

on March 1, 1967.

23%6

EXCLUDED FROM AUTOMATIC

REGRADING: DOD DIR 5200.10

DOES NOT APPLY

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c.

, (FOUO) Mr. Stanley Schacter, Assistant Customs Agent

in Charge, Miami, Florida, advised on April 28, 1969 that Applicant

the conspiracy to export arms

and men to aid the overthrow

of the Haitian government during the early part of 1966. Applicant

had previously been to the Dominican Republic during the upheaval

there and had come into contact with a freelance photographer and

writer named Andrew St. George, who subsequently intarduced Applicant

to one of the ringleaders of the conspiracy--Rolando Masferrer.

This

meeting allegedly took place at Applicant's home in Powder Springs,

Georgia.

He identified the two main leaders in the conspiracy as

Masferrer and Father Jean Baptiste Georges.

Applicant was allegedly

recruited for the purpose of securing a boat to be used in the shipment

of men and equipment to the Dominican Republic and eventually to Haiti,

and also to secure a base in the Dominican Republic adjacent to Haiti.

He said Applicant became actively involved in these tasks and managed

to secure a boat, the "Poor Richard" in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and

sent an emissary

to the Dominican Republic in an effort to secure

base.

He stated the U.S. Marshall eventually put a lien on the vessel

after it was taken to Key Largo, Florida. The lien was allegedly for

default of payment. He advised that to the best of his knowledge,

Applicant participated in meetings concerning the conspiracy in Florida,

and at his home in Georgia. According to Schacter, Applicant probably

had nothing to do with the purchasing of arms for the conspiracy and

had nothing to do with the training exercises which were held in South

Dade County, Florida, and possibly in New Jersey. He stated the conspiracy

was broken on January 2, 1967 when seventy (70) of the individuals in-

volved were arrested.

He advised Applicant was not one of those arrested

on January 2, 1967, but was arrested later on a warrant. He further

advised that indictments were drawn up only on the leaders of the con-

spiracy, including Applicant.

He stated all the individuals indicted

were convicted with the exception of Applicant, who had charges against

him dismissed.

He stated he had no idea why the charges were dismissed

as the U.S. Attorney did not inform him of the reasons. He did not

know if Applicant was on the payroll of another U.S. government agency

either before or during the conspiracy.

d:

¡EX An FBI informant in July'1966, advised that a Columbia

Broadcasting System (CBS) team reportedly filmed phase one of a docu-

mentary in Coral Gables, Florida in about June 1956 involving the

collection and shipment of arms from the United States destined for

Haitian rebel forces, outside the United States. Applicant, as Alex

Wilson, reportedly met the team and served as guide.

Phase two which

never materialized reportedly was to be the bombing of Duvalier's

23.7

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palace at Port-au-Prince and signal the start of the revolution.

According to hearsay information, Alex Wilson (Applicant) had des-

cribed himself as a former associate of CIA and prior thereto as

associated with OSS. Alex Wilson (Applicant), moreover,. It was

stated was well known in Santo Domingo and is held in high respect

there. No decision had been made by CBS headquarters, New York,

to show, or not to show, the completed documentary.

(FOUO) The U.S. Attorney, Miami, Florida advised on

May 8, 1969, that the dismissal of charges against Applicant on

March 23, 1967 was on "legal grounds," but that he was unable to

furnish any further information or explanation of details due to the

fact that the co-defendants are in process of appealing their con-

victions.

(I A page proof copy of the transcript of testimony of

Applicant and witnesses appearing before the Special Subcommittee on

Investigations, Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce, House

February and April 1970, entitled "Project Nassau," Serial No. 91,

concerning the involvement of CBS in an invasion conspiracy reflects

(1) Applicant was indicted along with six others as

a co-conspirator to violate the neutrality statues, Title 18, United

States Code, Section 960, and the Munitions Control Act, which is

22 U.S.C. 1934. Applicant was later dropped from the suit for reasons

not indicated in the hearing or the file.

(2) The main function of Applicant in the operation

was to obtain a base in the Dominican Republic from which an invasion

could be launched into Haiti/Cuba. To this end, Applicant was to

go to the Dominican Republic ahead of time and

obtain this base.

Applicant did not go there personally but sent a friend of his, Adolos

Cobos, to attempt to make the arrangements for the base. Because of

the political climate in the Dominican Republic at the time, arrange-

ments for a base were unsuccessful.

(3) Applicant was the principal in leasing a 68 foot

schooner, the

"Poor Richard"

at Fort Lauderdale, Florida which re-

portedly was to be used to transport arms and ammunition in the in-

vasion effort. The schooner was first brought to Miami and later

taken to

Ocean Reef where it was subsequently impounded by the U.S.

Marshall's Office because of a lien on the vessel.

23..8

DECLUDED FROM! CONORAL

DECLASSIFICATION SCHEDULE

SECREF

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(4) Applicant has his own personal boat brought from

Powder Springs, Georgia, where he lived, to Miami, and then to

Ocean Reef, to augment the Poor Richard

as a

"camera boat and life

boat" if needed. Prior to transporting his boat to Florida the

boat was used in the filming of loading of weapons aboard at Powder

Springs, Georgia. This, however, was a staged activity for the

benefit of CBS and the weapons were not involved in the invasion

effort but returned to their owners after the filming.

(5) CBS letter dated August 11, 1969 to the Committee

advised that there was no written agreement

of employment between

Applicant and CBS, however, some monies for "expenses" were paid

Applicant by CBS.

Testimony of sources indicated that Applicant

implied sanction of a U Company (ClAagency for the invasion and a

daily contact with the

There is no probative evi-

dence to indicate that Applicant ever stated he was a CIA representa-

tive at that time but he did indicate previous affiliation with CIA.

Moreover, Applicant reportedly stated to CBS representatives that he

had a base in the Dominican Republic from which CIA operated boats,

some going from there to Cuba and allegedly showed pictures of some

of the boats.

(6) Sometime in September or possibly October 1966,

Applicant with others met with Eugene Maximillian, the Haitian consul

in Miami to discuss the impending invasion of Haiti. Applicant had

a recording device concealed ön his person and the conversations were

recorded, whereby they discussed with Maximillian, the possibilities

of overthrowing President (Papa Doc) Duvalier and if he might cooperate,

establishing him in some choice post later on. They also reportedly

offered to abort the invasion if Papa Doc would come up with $200,000.00.

At a later date, they tried to blackmail Maximillian by telling him

they had this tape which they would make available to Papa Doc if

he didn't come across.

(FOUO) On June 16, 1970 Mr. James P. Morris, Criminal

Section, Internal Security Division, Department of Justice, advisec

that the charges against Applicant were dismissed for technical rea-

sons which had nothing to do with guilt: or innocence.

Mr. Morris

declined to make any further statements concerning the dismissal or

(S) On January 25, 1966, Mr. Robert H. Fleming, Chief of

the Washington News Bureau, American Broadcasting Company, furnished

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the following information to the FBI.

John Casserly, their corre-

spondent in the Dominican Republic had been approached by Applicant

saying he had a plan to assassinate Premier Fidel Castro of Cuba.

Applicant had told Casserly that he had been in Cuba on recent occa-

sions

"as a private citizen" but that he would not enter that country

in execution of his plan. He would direct the assissination from some

point outside Cuba.

Andrew St. George, freelance photographer and

journalist, would enter Cuba to film the assassination.

St. George

was interviewed by the FBI and verified this story. On february 10,

1966, Applicant was interviewed by the FBI and stated he had no such

plan himself but claimed that he had limited knowledge of such a plan

that had been formulated by Ricardo Zaragusa, who died in New York

City in December 1965. Zaragusa's death put an end to the plan

according to Applicant.

SX In interviews with FBI agents on January 29, and 30,

1968, a source of unknown reliability advised that he was introduced

to the reported leader of the Second National Front of Escranbray

(SNE), an anti-Castro Cuban revolutionary organization with head-

quarters in Miami. The source reported that during his conversations

with the individual he heard that SNFE collects money from Cuban exiles

on the premise that the organization will take some 'type of military

action against the Castro government in Cuba and that Applicant was

named as being in charge of making arrangements to obtain necessary arms

and ammunition.

j.

S) An investigative report shows that a pistol found in

the car of a suspect apprehended in Miami, Florida, belonged to Appli-

cant. Applicant admitted that he purchased the pistol in Florida for

his own use

and that he signed the gun registration certificate Alex

Wilson and Alex J. Wilson.

He claimed he has been known to many of his

friends and Central Intelligence Agency officials by the name of Alex

Wilson. He stated that when he was purchasing the pistol there were

Cubans

in the shop.

Cubans and to avoid them hearing the Werbell name and bothering him,

he gave the name of Alex Wilson.. Applicant claimed that he left the

pistol at a friend's house and later told the individual who was appre-

hended that he could borrow it for use to protect his home which hao

been robbed earlier and to pick it up at the house of the friend. N

action against Applicant was indicated.

(O) FBI report indicates that on February 20, 1967, Appli-

cant advised FBI that he was informed of a plan to assassinate an

unidentified midale-east ruler or member of his family living or

2400

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DECEASED CATION BONEDULE

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visiting in the U.S.

Investigation indicated that Ibu Saud, half-

brother of King Faisal Al saud of saudi Arabia, at that time attend-

ing the University of Redlands, Redlands, California and living in

Redlands, may have been the intended victim of this reported con-

spiracy which was never actually substantiated.

1.

(FOUO) An investigation requested by Commander, Eglin

Air Force Base, Florida was initiated on July 7, 1969 to determine

circumstances surrounding importation of 3 boxes of captured enemy

weapons by a It. Colonel Paul Arnold Marriott, USAF.

Two boxes con-

taining a total of 21 weapons, 5 noise suppressors and related equip-

ment which was marked for Marriott, was

seized at Eglin AFB.

The

Deputy Commander, AFAll, advised his agency was queried by ARPA, a DOD

agency, about a box of weapons sent through ARPA channels. The investi-

gation

showed further that Marriott had sent 12 weapons to Eglin AFB

from SEA while he was on TDY in Vietnam in November 1968. Eleven of

these weapons were subsequently shipped from Eglin AFB to Sionics,

Atlanta, Georgia, at Marriott's request.

The information of record

shows that Applicant is the Vice President and Director of R&D for

Sionics.

The firm holds Federal Firearms license which expires

March 31, 1970 as a manufacturer of firearms other than destructive

devices; a license which expires May 18, 1970 as an importer of fire-

arms other than destructive devices; a special occupational tax stamp

as a Class I Manufacturer (Firearms), and a Class I Importer (Firearms)

both issued for period beginning July 1, 1969. According to Sionics,

they were a registered importer under the Munitions and Control Act,

registered importer with.the U.S. State Department.

The investigation

shows that Applicant visited Vietnam in September 1968 and remained

until June 1969 and that he visited Thailand between January and June

1969 for the purpose of demonstrating "Sound Suppressors" manufactured

by Sionics.

The visit reportedly was authorized by the State Depart-

ment, Munitions Control, Washington, D.C. Applicant was also reportedly

authorized to take and send weapons and sound suppressors for demon-

strations, however, he had nothing in writing from the State Department.

In the course of his travels in Vietnam, Applicant acquired 12 captured

enemy weapons between September and November 1960, reportedly given him

by General Dong of the South Vietnamese Army and other authorized sources.

Apparently no application for importation of the firearms into the U.S.

was made. Lt. Colonel Marriott while on IDY in Vietnam was assigned

to assist Applicant.

Reportedly, Marriott at that time, indicated to

Applicant that he wanted some weapons for the Air Force museum and

Applicant advised Marriott he wanted some weapons for research pur-

poses.

Before Marriott returned to Eglin AFB it was agreed that

captured weapons would be sent to Marriott for displaying in the museum

2401

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and Applicant hoped, at that time, that arrangements could be made

to transfer any of the weapons not used by the museum to Sionics

for research purposes. During the next few months two additional

cases of weapons were authorized for shipment and shipped through

Air Force channels, to It.Colonel Marriott at Eglin AFB. The

record shows that It. Colonel Marriott on or about April 11, 1969

shipped from Eglin AFB five firearms to Sionics which were obtained

in Vietnam and sent to the U.S. along with 15 other items which

Sionics had sent to Vietnam earlier.

Sionics had not applied or re-

ceived authorization to import these firearms.

The record also shows that

two additional boxes of firearms were

authorized to be shipped to Eglin

AFB from Vietnam during June 1969, at the request of Applicant for museum

purposes. All weapons were taken into custody by the Air Force.

mo

(E) Information from OSI, Republic of Vietnam revealed

that on April 29, 1909, Colonel William M. Fagan, Commander, Detach-

ment 6, 7th Air Force (DAFSC), Tan Son Nhut Air Base, Republic of

Vietnam, advised that Werbell, Who is Vice President of Sionics,

Inc.,

Powder Springs, Georgia, arrived in RVN to demonstrate Noise and

Flash Suppressor Assemblies for the M-16 rifle as well as other fire-

arms equipment.

Fagan arranged to provide Werbell with a MACV Identi-

fication and Privilege Card, which Werbell received with an equivalent

grade of GS-16 noted thereon. Werbell did demonstrate his equipment

to various military agencies in RVN, after which Fagan understood he

was to return to the U.s.

Fagan was unable to locate Werbell for some

time, but eventually learned he had travelled to Korea and Thailand

demonstrating his equipment.

This travel was not part of the agreement,

and as a result, Fagan began to make inquiries. He contacted various

individuals in the U.S" and Thailand and discovered that Werbell

arrived in RVN in an unofficial status, with no security clearance.

He

further learned Werbell had been using his MACV card, with the mention

of a few alleged friendships with U.S. Senators and Generals, includ-

ing Air Force Chief of Staff, General MeConnell, to meet high ranking

individuals of the Thailand and Korean governments. Fagan also ad-

vised Werbell is alleged to have stated he worked for the CIA in

various assignments and told Colonel John V. Patterson, Deputy Director,

OSD/ARPA, Thailand, that he was in that country to confer with American

Embassy officials on a classified task. With no official sponsorship

or endorsements, Werbell has been extremely active demonstrating his

company's products and conferring with several ranking officials of

the Thailand Supreme Command.

He has influenced Air Chief Marshall

Dawee, Chief of Staff, Thailand Supreme Command, to request technical

assistance from the US. Army in setting up a sniper school, using

Sionies equipment. Colonel Fagan's primary interest in this matter

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was that of locating Werbell and confiscating the MACV Identification

Card. He located Werbell in Bangkok on May 8, 1969, and recovered the

MACV ID Card. Colonel Fagan and Colonel Patterson believed that Werbell

was acting opportunistically, and believed his agency name dropping is

a perfected technique to insure assistance.

n.

(FOUO) The majority of sources interviewed in the course of

this Air Force investigation expressed reservations with respect to

Applicant's business ethics and that of Sionics, Inc. They characterized

Applicant as unscrupulous, a wheeler-dealer, a name dropper, and a high

pressure promotion man.

As an example, oin about July 1968 Applicant

demonstrated a pistol silencer and flash supressor by shooting in a

hotel room in Washington, D.C.

0.

(FOUO) A report in the file furnished by the Internal Re-

venue Service, Southeast Region, Assistant Commissioner (Alcohol, Tobacco

and Firearms), dated October 7, 1969, stated Sionics is in the business

of developing and manufacturing silencers for sale to United States Mili-

tary Units and United States Allies.

Although there are apparent vio-

lations of Title XX of The Gun Control Act of 1968, it appears from

tional. Mr. Werbell stated that prior to the passing of the Gun Control

was the acceptable method with the State Department.

(EX CIA advised that Applicant has never worked or been

associated with the CIA although the CIA is aware of his tendency to

pose as a CIA or former CIA agent. Applicant was a member of the OSS

for a short period in 1945. In January 1969, Time Magazine contained

an article on Applicant as stating that if he ever becomes involved in

any serious difficulty, CIA or DIA would help him out. CIA complained

to the Munitions Board regarding this statement. The Board indicated

they would attempt to take some action against Applicant but this was

not done. Applicant is characterized in CIA's files as "an unseru-

pulous con-man, and a wheeler-dealer" who constantly imposes upon

those around him.

9.

(FOUD). An item in the Evening Star, Washington, D.C.,

under the date of february 14, 1970, reports that an Air Force announce-

ment said It. Colonel Marriott's activities concerning his being sus-

pected

of helping to smuggle captured Viet Cong weapons into the United

States from Vietnam

"were found clear of any illegal or unauthorized acts

on his part and no disciplinary or administrative actions have been or

will be

taken."

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(FOUO) A local agency credit check revealed the following:

(1)

Credit Bureau of Atlanta, Inc., listed on June 6,

1968, the following accounts that had been listed with them for

collection against Applicant:

(a)

March 12, 1956, Bandas Bazar. No company

by this name could be found in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; $54.80.

(b)

May 20, 1950, Bishops Office Equipment,

Orlando, Florida, $100.00.

Bishop Company records fail to reveal

this debt.

(c)

July 14, 1962, Dr. Wm. L. Eubanks; $18.00.

This account paid in full on July 25, 1965.

(d) Holiday Inn, Atlanta, Georgia; $75.69. Credit

Bureau says no payments made and account considered open and unsatis-

factory.

No check made with company records.

(e)

Monaco, Inc.; $28.11. Credit Bureau says

open and unsatisfactory. No check made with company records.

(2)

Two

tax liens have been imposed against Applicant

as föllows:

(a)

Income tax for

JFK Law 11(a)

Lien filed

December 8, 1954.

(b)

Withholding tax for

JEK Law 11(a)

JFK Law 11(a)

Both liens have expired without renewal. No further

action contemplated.

So

(FOUO) On July 9, 1968, Harold E. Watson, Major General,

USAF, Retired, a representative of Sionics, Inc., was interviewed

concerning Applicant. He advised that he had met Applicant about 5

years ago when he (source) was connected with General Electric Com-

pany (GE) in connection with GE interest in mass-produced housing in

the Dominican Republic.

Watson indicated he had no direct knowledge

that Applicant was involved in anti-Castro activities but only through

hearsay. Applicant was described by Watson as an avid gun fancier

2404

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and most qualified in the technical aspects of firearms.

Applicant

apparently has interested the Army (Ft. Benning) in his ideas in the

filed of noise reduction (silencers) on weapons and in this connec-

tion set up the firm Sionics in Atlanta, Georgia.

Watson indicated

he considered Applicant completely honest, trustworthy and loyal

and unreservedly recommended him for a position of trust.

to

(FOUO) Three references

have been interviewed.

The first

knew Applicant from 1950-1953 when they were in the advertising busi-

ness together. He has had occasional to frequent contact with Appli-

He spoke highly of Applicant and would

The second person had known Applicant since 1951. He

was one of Applicant's employees in 1956 when Applicant's advertising

agency went bankrupt. He spoke highly of Applicant and would recommend

The third has known Applicant since 1955 when he became attorney

for Sionics, Inc. He describes Applicant as an adventurer and frus-

trated inventor but felt that Applicant was loyal, honest, trustworthy

and he would recommend him.

(FOUO) A neighborhood check of Applicant reveals no ad-

verse information.

One friend and neighbor since 1962 was inter-

viewed and described Applicant as honest,

trustworthy, extremely

capable, and loyal, and he would recommend him. He knew of Applicant's

on the violation of the U.S. Neutrality Act charge.

of Police at Powder Springs, Georgia, and a local grocer were inter-

viewed and said they had known Applicant since 1949, and considered

him loyal, trustworthy, capable and of good character, and they would

recommend him.

Several years ago, they said, Applicant had had financial

that Applicant seems

to have done quite well in paying off

his debts during the past two years.

4. Rationale: (FOUO)

The Board has carefully considered and evaluated Applicant's

reported involvements in various activities of a questionable and

possibly criminal nature. The major issues of this case revolve

around: (1) Applicant's involvement/arrest for violation of the U.S.

Neutrality Act; (2) his reported activities or association with the

SNFE; (3) his involvement in alleged smuggling illegal importation

of weapons

5 from Vietnam; and (4) his past financial difficulties.

The record establishes that between June and November 1966,

Applicant actively participated in a conspiracy to violate the U.S.

Neutrality Act. He was indicted with six other co-cospirators.

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Although the six other co-conspirators were convicted the charges

against Applicant were dismissed "on a legal technicality" with no

further details provided. According to information of record, a

Applicant reportedly has also been engaged in shipping arms and

ammunition to revoluntionary groups

the Caribbean area and

The file also shows that he pur-

chased a pistol in Florida signing the gun registration certifi-

as Alex Wilson and the pistol was subsequently found in the

possession of a "friend" who was apprehended by the police. In

addition, in 1969 Applicant was involved in an Air Force investi-

gation of alleged smuggling of weapons from Vietnam.

He apparently

violated the Gun Control Act of 1968 at this time, but no action

was taken since the violation

"appeared unintentional."

The Air

Force officer with whom Applicant was involved in the alleged

smuggling was found clear of any illegal or unauthorized acts and

no disciplinary or administrative actions were taken against the

officer.

The information of record

establishes a history of activities

of a very suspicious nature on the part of Applicant.

These activi-

ties of questionable legality, while yet apparently not transcending

the lawful limits, strongly suggest less than ethical business

practices over an

extended period of time. There is no information

to show that any of these activities were

in behalf of a U.S. Govern-

ment agency.

The file indicates Applicant used a perfected technique of

"name dropping," flagrantly imposed on those around him, and employed

subterfuge to assure cooperation and assistance in his questionable

promotional schemes.

His modus operandi causes the Board to have seri-

ous reservations as to his integrity and trustworthiness. There is

no information, in the file which would show, with reasonable certainty,

that his pattern of questionable conduct is

at end.

On the contrary,

because of the pattern of his activities over an extended period of

time it appears more reasonable to conclude that he will continue in

his involvements in questionable undertakings. This, in turn, could

cause action contrary to the national interest.

In short, the very

nature and extent of Applicant's past activities as shown in the

record leads us to believe that he is an opportunist. His demonstrated

lack of integrity, ethics, and trustworthiness strongly suggests that

on his own motion or at the instance of others, colored or motivated

by self interests, Applicant might easily be influenced to engage in

activities inimical to the national interest.

2406

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It appears that Applicant's financial problems of the past

have been resolved and the tax liens against him satisfied.

This,

in and of itself, due to lack of recency, appears to have little,

II any, security import at this time. The recurrence of future

financial problems and possible effect therefrom is unpredictable

and any comments thereon would be purely speculative.

In view of all the information of record and on an overall

common sense basis, mindful of the various circumstances shown, the

Board considers Applicant's conduct over the years of such gravity

and significance as to render him unworthy of a security clearance

at this time.

(FOUO) Upon the basis of the information available to it, the

Screening Board finds:

a.

A determination in Applicant's favor is not warranted.

b.

Further investigation, personal interview, or written

interrogatory is not required.

6.

has a

C.

A Statement of Reasons, attached hereto, should be issued.

(FOUO There is no

evidence in the record that Applicant currently

security clearance

at any level.

John Surelyke

John Kiselyk, Chairman

Law Lutant

William L. Ewbank, Member/

lonel Le Costella

Darrel Go

Costello, Member

2407

SECREF

EXCLUDED FIOM GENERAL

DECLASSICICATION SCHEDULE

NW 64954 Docld:34517456 Page 13

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