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THE PENTAGONISTS -- AN INSIDER'S VIEW OF WASTE, MISMANAGEMENT, AND FRAUD IN DEFENSE SPENDING |
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APPENDIX B FBI Memorandum, Two Versions, May 23, 1978 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT memorandum DATE: 5/23/78 REPLY TO ATTN OF: SAC, WFO (74-303) FROM: HANS H.
DRIESSNACK, Major General, TO: (00:WFO) TO: DIRECTOR, FBI This case was predicated upon a complaint received by SA [delete] of this office in late March of 1978 by A. ERNEST FITZGERALD (Protect). For the information of the Bureau, Mr. FITZGERALD, since October, 1968, has been known as a "whistle-blower" while employed at the Department of the Air Force, which began in 1965. In 1968, FITZGERALD's biggest complaint had to do with the building of the Air Force C-5A cargo plane by Lockheed. In this Pentagon weapons contract involving Lockheed Corporation, the C-5A had developed huge cost overruns in the amount of 3.4 billion dollars. According to the contract between the Pentagon and Lockheed, if overruns did occur, it would be paid for by the company not the taxpayer. However, FITZGERALD found that the overruns were, in fact, paid by the taxpayers, and brought this to the attention of Senator WILLIAM PROXMIRE. PROXMIRE asked FITZGERALD to testify before his subcommittee to bring this information to the attention of this Congressional hearing, in 1968. As a result of FITZGERALD's testimony in late 1969 and after his name was out of the headlines, the Air Force fired him. Plus, FITZGERALD found out that he was also black listed by the Air Force and was unable to get a job in his old calling. In 1973, after a series of administrative appeals and law suits, the Civil Service Commission (CSC) ordered the Air Force to reinstate FITZGERALD, but according to FITZGERALD his career today is at a dead end. FITZGERALD is currently suing to collect damages from the individuals who prevented his reinstatement to the Air Force in good standing and also for restoration to his old job or its equivalent. Civil Action Number 74-178, A. ERNEST FITZGERALD, Plaintiff, versus ROBERT C. SEAMANS, JR., Et Al; Defendants, is a current civil action that FITZGERALD has against those currently and formerly in the Air Force. FITZGERALD is suing these individuals, in their capacity as Government employees for the Air Force. Version 1 of page 2 In April 1974, then Lieutenant-Colonel HANS H. DRIESSNACK, named also as a defendant in this civil action by FITZGERALD, produced a sworn affidavit dated and signed 4/18/74. Through discovery in this civil action, FITZGERALD's attorneys were able to produce an unsigned affidavit by DRIESSNACK with numerous corrections that eventually became his sworn affidavit of 4/18/74. After reviewing FITZGERALD's civil suit at the U.S. District Court House during April and May, 1978, SA [delete] came across the affidavit of General DUWARD L. CROW dated and signed on 4/19/74. Through the chain-of-command, DIRESSNACK had reported to CROW on 5/7/69 allegations that FITZGERALD was involved in a conflict of interest as a civilian with the Air Force, and the private management firm, Performance Technology Corporation (PTC), which FITZGERALD was formerly President. CROW forwarded DRIESSNACK's allegation on FITZGERALD to his immediate superior, General MC CONNELL, Chief of Staff, which initiated an investigation by the Air Force's Office of Security (OSI). In DIRESSNACK's signed affidavit of 4/18/74, he states, "I did not discuss these matters again with General CROW (after the meeting of 5/7/69) nor did I ever discuss them with other defendants in this case after the OSI interview." It is the opinion of WFO that by DRIESSNACK altering his unsigned affidavit into its present form of 4/18/74, and the fact that both DRIESSNACK's and CROW's affidavits appear to be similar, it does give the appearance that DRIESSNACK "discussed these matters with General CROW" prior to submitting the final form of his affidavit dated 4/18/74. If this is the case, WFO feels DRIESSNACK perjured himself. SA [delete] discussed the above with Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) DONALD E. CAMPBELL, Major Crimes, Washington, D.C., and he advised the facts warrant that a preliminary investigation be instituted at this time. FBI Headquarters is requested to grant WFO the authority to investigate captioned matter. For the information of FBI Headquarters, Major General DRIESSNACK is currently Director of the Budget for the Air Force, and the complainant A. ERNEST FITZGERALD, a well-known figure in the Washington, D.C. area, has strong ties with Senator WILLIAM PROXMIRE. WFO indices negative regarding DRIESSNACK. Version 2 of Page 2 In April, 1974, then Lieutenant-Colonel HANS H. DRIESSNACK, named also as a defendant in this civil action by FITZGERALD, produced a sworn affidavit dated and signed 4/18/74. Through discovery in this civil action, FITZGERALD's attorneys were able to produce an unsigned affidavit by DRIESSNACK with numerous corrections that eventually became his sworn affidavit of 4/18/74. After reviewing FITZGERALD's civil suit at the U.S. District Court House during April and May, 1978, SA GOLDEN came across the affidavit of General DUWARD L. CROW dated and signed o 4/19/74. Through the chain-of-command, DIRESSNACK had reported to CROW on 5/7/69 allegations that FITZGERALD was involved in a conflict of itnerest as a civilian with the Air Force, and the private management firm, Performance Technology Corporation (PTC), which FITZGERALD was formerly President. CROW forwarded DRIESSNACK's allegation on FITZGERALD to his immediate superior, General MC CONNELL, Chief of Staff, which initiated an investigation by the Air Force's Office of Security (OSI). In DIRESSNACK's signed affidavit of 4/18/74, he states, "I did not discuss these matters again with General CROW (after the meeting of 5/7/69) nor did I ever discuss them with other defendants in this case after the OSI interview." SA GOLDEN discussed the above with Assistant U.S. Attorney (AUSA) DONALD E. CAMPBELL, Major Crimes, Washington, D.C., and he advised the facts warrant that a preliminary investigation be instituted at this time. FBI Headquarters is requested to grant WFO the authority to investigate captioned matter. For the information of FBI Headquarters, Major General DRIESSNACK is currently Director of the Budget for the Air Force, and the complainant, A. ERNEST FITZGERALD, a well-known figure int he Washington, D.C. area, has strong ties with Senator WILLIAM PROXMIRE. WFO indices negative regarding DRIESSNACK.
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