Obituary – Death – Cause of death News : Hyde, the Illinois Republican who was the panel’s ranking minority member, called him “a hero” who was “as honest as the day is long.” The panel’s chairman, Senator Daniel K. Inouye, a Hawaii Democrat, said, “I wish I had ten more like the general.”
General Secord was indicted on multiple counts, including conspiracy, theft, and fraud. However, he ultimately struck a plea deal in which he pleaded guilty to a single charge of making a false statement to Congress. He was sentenced to two years of probation and a $50,000 fine.
After the Iran-contra scandal, General Secord largely retreated from public view, focusing on his consulting business and writing books. He remained unapologetic about his role in the affair, maintaining that he had acted out of loyalty to his country. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88.
In conclusion, General Richard V. Secord played a pivotal role in the Iran-contra affair, getting involved in a complex web of arms deals and covert operations that ultimately led to a scandal that shook the Reagan administration. Despite facing legal consequences, he remained steadfast in his belief that he had acted in the best interest of his country.
Source: The New York Times
General Richard V. Secord was a key figure in the Iran-contra affair, a scandal that rocked the Reagan administration in the 1980s. Retired from the military and working as a private arms dealer, Secord was drawn into the scheme by Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. North. The operation involved using back-channel arms sales to Iran to secure the release of American hostages and funding the Nicaraguan contras with the profits.
Secord, known for his experience in covert operations, was instrumental in setting up the complex logistics of the operation, known as the “Enterprise.” Together with his partner, Albert Hakim, Secord created a network of shell accounts in Swiss banks to finance the arms deals. The operation was carried out under a veil of secrecy, with more than $47 million passing through the Enterprise.
Despite facing legal repercussions, including indictment on multiple charges, Secord maintained his belief that he had acted out of loyalty to his country. He ultimately pleaded guilty to a single charge of making a false statement to Congress and received a two-year probation sentence.
After the scandal, Secord largely retreated from the public eye, focusing on his consulting business and writing books. He passed away in 2017 at the age of 88. Secord’s role in the Iran-contra affair remains a controversial chapter in American history, highlighting the complexities of covert operations and the consequences of unchecked power. General Richard Secord, a key figure in the Iran-Contra scandal, was praised by Illinois Republican Hyde as a reliable figure in times of crisis. In 1989, he was indicted on nine counts of lying to Congress about his involvement in the secret network’s financial dealings. The prosecution argued that the proceeds from the Enterprise belonged to the US government. Secord earned over $2 million from the Iran-Contra affair and took steps to hide the payments to avoid taxes. Only a small fraction of the proceeds reached the contras.
Facing trial, Secord pleaded guilty to lying to Congress about financial benefits to North and paid a fine and received probation. Born in Ohio, he graduated from West Point and rose through the ranks in the Air Force. After the scandal, Secord returned to private business and remained defiant, defending his actions as necessary for national interests. He saw himself as a victim of betrayal in Washington and stood by the Iran-Contra initiatives as crucial decisions for the country.
In 1961, he married and had three children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Secord passed away, leaving behind a legacy of controversy and conviction. Despite the legal troubles, his career was marked by rapid advancement and leadership roles. His story reflects the complexities of power and duty in the political landscape. General Secord’s life serves as a reminder of the consequences of secrecy and the enduring impact of decisions made in the name of national security.
Richard V. Secord, general embroiled in Iran-contra affair, dies at 92
Hyde, Republican of Illinois and the panel chairman, called him “a true American patriot.”
The Senate committee’s chief counsel, Arthur L. Liman, was less charitable. He wrote in his own memoir that General Secord had exhibited “a certain coldness and amorality” during his testimony.
In the end, General Secord was never charged with a crime in the Iran-contra affair. He later wrote that he had felt “set adrift” by the experience.
How was General Secord drawn into the Iran-contra scheme?
General Secord was drawn into the scheme in the summer of 1984. By then retired from the military and working as a private arms dealer, he received an overture from Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. North, then a National Security Council aide.
What were the dual policy objectives of the Reagan administration?
The Reagan administration was pursuing dual policy objectives. In the Middle East, the White House wanted to use back-channel arms sales to the Islamic regime in Iran to help win the release of Americans held captive in Lebanon. At the same time, in Nicaragua there was an effort underway to prop up the contra rebels fighting the Marxist Sandinista government, ultimately by using funds generated from the Iran deals.
Who were the key figures involved in the Iran-contra operation?
In General Secord, a pugnacious West Point graduate with boundless self-assurance, North and national security adviser Vice Admiral John M. Poindexter had found perhaps the ideal candidate to handle the byzantine logistics of their plan, which became known simply as the “Enterprise.”
What was General Secord’s background and experience in covert operations?
General Secord, whose 28-year Air Force career had been as colorful as it was distinguished, was experienced in covert operations. As a young officer in Indochina in the early 1960s, he flew more than 200 secret combat missions against the Viet Cong, then helped the CIA supply Laotian tribesmen fighting the local communist forces.
What were the motivations behind General Secord’s participation in the Iran-contra operation?
In his memoir “Honored and Betrayed” (1992), written with Jay Wurts, General Secord maintained that he agreed to participate in the Iran-contra operation out of what he saw as his patriotic duty — though later disclosures would suggest financial motives played no small role.
The Enterprise Partners and the Establishment of a “Cutout” Operation
In early 1985, Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North, along with General Richard Secord and their partners, aimed to create a free-standing unit for covert activities known as a “cutout” operation. This unit was designed to operate independently and without direct ties to the US government, allowing for a level of deniability in espionage operations (source).
The Enterprise’s Weapon Procurement and Resale Activities
With funding primarily sourced from Saudi Arabia, the Enterprise partners began purchasing weapons from the global gray market in early 1985. These weapons were then resold to the Nicaraguan contras, supporting their efforts against the Sandinista government (source).
Expansion into Dealing Weaponry with Iran
By early 1985, North and Secord enlisted General Secord and his partner to begin dealing weapons, including antitank and antiaircraft missiles, to the Iranian government. The profits from these transactions were intended to be diverted to support the contra rebels in Nicaragua (source).
Financial Operations and the Enormous Slush Fund
Money from the Iran and contra initiatives circulated with minimal accounting oversight, resulting in more than $47 million passing through the Enterprise. The financial operations of the Enterprise were characterized by secrecy and a lack of formal record-keeping, with the primary focus being on accomplishing the mission at hand (source).
Unraveling of the Operation and Congressional Investigations
In October 1986, the covert activities of the Enterprise were exposed when a contra supply plane was shot down by the Sandinistas. This incident led to the discovery of connections between the contras and General Secord, triggering a series of investigations by Congress and an independent counsel (source).
General Secord’s Testimony and Legal Troubles
During the Iran-contra hearings in May 1987, General Secord testified without immunity before a joint congressional panel. Despite initial assertions of innocence, further evidence emerged regarding his financial dealings, including the use of Enterprise funds for personal purchases such as a Porsche and a private plane (source).
Indictment and Legal Consequences
In April 1989, General Secord was indicted on nine felony counts of lying to Congress about his involvement in the secret network’s financial operations. The prosecution argued that the proceeds from the Enterprise rightfully belonged to the US government, leading to a guilty plea from General Secord on one charge of perjury (source).
Post-Legal Proceedings and Legacy
Following his legal troubles, General Secord returned to private business and continued to defend the Iran and contra initiatives as necessary actions. Despite the controversy surrounding his involvement, he maintained a sense of duty to the nation’s interests and saw himself as a victim of political betrayal (source).
**Who was General Secord and how was he involved in the scheme?**
General Secord was drawn into the scheme in the summer of 1984, after being retired from the military and working as a private arms dealer. He received an invitation from Marine Lieutenant Colonel Oliver L. North, who was then a National Security Council aide.
**What were the dual policy objectives pursued by the Reagan administration?**
The Reagan administration aimed to use back-channel arms sales to Iran to help secure the release of Americans held captive in Lebanon. Simultaneously, they were supporting the contra rebels in Nicaragua fighting against the Marxist Sandinista government.
**What made General Secord an ideal candidate for handling the logistics of the operation?**
General Secord was described as a pugnacious West Point graduate with boundless self-assurance. He had experience in covert operations, including flying secret combat missions in Indochina and serving as a military liaison to the shah of Iran for weapons procurement.
**What were General Secord’s motives for participating in the Iran-contra operation?**
In his memoir, General Secord claimed he participated out of patriotic duty, though financial motives were also suggested later on. He wanted to come across as a white knight, but there were mixed motives behind his involvement.
**How did General Secord and his partner create a clandestine network of shell accounts?**
General Secord and his business partner, Albert Hakim, established a labyrinth of shell accounts in Swiss banks to create a free-standing unit for covert activities that could not be traced back to the US government.
**What was the role of the Enterprise partners in reselling weaponry to the contras?**
With funds mostly from Saudi Arabia, the Enterprise partners began buying weaponry on the gray market and reselling it to the contras in early 1985. The profits from selling arms to Iran were earmarked for diversion to the contras.
**How did the Iran-contra affair come to light and what were its consequences?**
The affair was uncovered when a supply plane bound for the contras was shot down by the Sandinistas, revealing ties to General Secord. President Reagan fired North, an independent counsel was appointed, and Congress launched investigations that led to hearings with General Secord as a witness.
**What were the controversies surrounding General Secord’s involvement in the Iran-contra affair?**
Despite testifying without immunity, General Secord faced accusations of using Enterprise funds for personal expenses like buying a Porsche and a private plane. While he insisted he was not a profiteer, other evidence and witnesses portrayed him as someone who may have acted without regard for propriety. Richard Vernon Secord, a key figure in the Iran-Contra affair, was a complex and controversial figure in American history. Born in the small farming town of LaRue, Ohio, in 1932, Secord rose through the ranks of the Air Force to become a highly decorated general. His involvement in the Iran-Contra scandal would ultimately tarnish his reputation, but his supporters saw him as a patriotic hero who was willing to do whatever it took to advance the nation’s interests.
In the 1980s, General Secord became involved in a secret network known as “the Enterprise,” which was responsible for selling arms to Iran and using the proceeds to fund the Contras in Nicaragua. This covert operation was highly controversial and led to a series of congressional investigations and indictments.
Despite the legal troubles that followed, some, like Illinois Republican Hyde, praised Secord and his colleague Oliver North as the kind of guys the country turned to when it was in real trouble and had a dirty job to do. This sentiment underscores the polarizing nature of General Secord’s legacy – to some, he was a hero, while to others, he was a criminal.
In 1989, General Secord was indicted on nine felony counts of lying to Congress about his knowledge of the financial dealings of the secret network. The heart of the prosecution’s case was that the proceeds of the Enterprise rightfully belonged to the US government. Investigators found that Secord had realized more than $2 million from his Iran-Contra dealings and had taken precautions to conceal the payments to avoid paying taxes.
In November 1989, just five days before he was due to stand trial, General Secord agreed to plead guilty to one charge of lying to Congress. He admitted that he had not disclosed paying for an expensive security system for North’s home, which was seen as an attempt to ensure that business kept coming his way. Despite this admission of guilt, Secord was sentenced to a $50 fine and probation, with the judge ruling that he had already suffered enough.
After the Iran-Contra affair, General Secord returned to private business, working for a time as an executive at Computerized Thermal Imaging and as president of the Air Commando Association. Despite the scandal that had engulfed him, he continued to see himself as a victim of perfidy in Washington and defended his actions as necessary steps in advancing the nation’s interests.
In his memoir, General Secord reflected on the Iran-Contra affair, noting that he did not see himself or his colleagues as impulsive cowboys but as people who had finally woken up and smelled the coffee. This perspective reveals the complexity of his character and the moral ambiguity of his actions.
In conclusion, Richard Vernon Secord was a complex and controversial figure whose involvement in the Iran-Contra affair left a lasting impact on American politics. While some saw him as a patriot willing to do whatever it took to protect the nation, others viewed him as a criminal who had violated the law. Regardless of one’s perspective, General Secord’s story is a reminder of the complicated and often murky world of covert operations and government intrigue.
Sources:
1. [New York Times – Richard V. Secord, Major Figure in Iran-Contra Affair, Dies at 88.](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/30/us/politics/richard-v-secord-dead.html) our horizons by exploring new opportunities, challenging ourselves to try new things, and seeking out different perspectives. By expanding our horizons, we can grow personally and professionally, develop new skills, and gain a greater understanding of the world around us. It allows us to break out of our comfort zones, learn from diverse experiences, and open ourselves up to endless possibilities. So why not take a chance, step outside of your comfort zone, and expand your horizons today?
