Washington D.C.

My first working relationship with the F.B.I. came in the 70s when I worked with a state and federal task force on organized crime. Specifically, we were investigating the Kansas City mob which had been run by Giuseppe "Nick" Civella since the 50s, although the mob had been in K.C. since the 1890s. The K.C. mob was using Teamster money to buy casinos in Vegas including the Tropicana. The F.B.I. had been wiretapping the K.C. mob in connection with their Teamster activity. It was this wiretap that led to the Las Vegas connection as depicted in the movie Casino. Chicago, Cleveland and Milwaukee were also involved in the Las Vegas casinos. Nick Civella went to Leavenworth and died about 3 years after my involvement. I was a supervising field agent for the state when assigned to the investigation. The Director was kind enough to provide the signed official photograph for my office and a nice letter that read in part, "Thanks for recognizing our efforts as you did. Please convey our thanks to your family as well." "it is a pleasure to enclose one of my photographs which I have autographed for you." Director Kelley came from Kansas City and was the first F.B.I. Director to replace Hoover.

F.B.I. Director Freeh and his son. We had an opportunity to meet at a private reception in Washington, D.C. in his honor. It was during this period of time that I had a "consulting' relationship with a variety of federal agencies concerning national security issues. I later learned that after his retirement from the F.B.I., Director Freeh worked for members of the Saudi Royal family including Prince Bandar.

This is the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia. It is located across the street from the Watergate Hotel. Over a 20 year period, I had several meetings at the Embassy and lunches and tea, tea, tea with their officials.

This was taken at the entrance to the Embassy following a meeting. We are waiting for our car and driver to take us to another meeting in the Washington D.C. area.

Back in the 80s, this was the entrance to the bar area at in the Watergate. I met a lot of interesting people and had a lot of interesting conversations at that bar. It's amazing what you can learn at a bar that would never come out  in hours of an office meeting.   

This is another view of the entrance as I knew it in the 80s. The front desk is at the end on the left side which is barely visible and the elevator is on the right. The Watergate has always been one of my favorite hotels. I recall meeting Robert Redford in the gift shop one day and that evening while having dinner, the "Champ", Muhammed Ali came in and sat at the next table and we had an opportunity to chat. At that time he carried a supply of poems with his signature that he gave to people. I was pleased to have received one. I thought that was a nice practice and I have since done the same with some of my poems. Of course receiving one of my poems does not exactly have the same cachet as his but I always thought it was a nice gesture and believe it's the thought that counts.

This is the front view of the Watergate complex that most people are familiar with. The complex includes offices, private residences in addition to the hotel.

This is a "non-public" pistol range in the Washington, D.C. area. Today, the only thing I aim for is a little peace and tranquility in my retirement.

More photos being edited and in process of posting!