Hal Hendrix
 Hal Hendrix    (journalist, spook) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1922 |
| Died | 2015 (Age 92) |
| Alma mater | Rockhurst University |
US journalist who was a media asset for the CIA. | |
Harold (Hal) Hendrix was a US journalist who was a media asset for the CIA.
Career
Hendrix joined the Kansas City Star in 1944. Initially a local news reporter, he eventually specialized in Latin American affairs. In 1957 he was recruited by The Miami News, and in 1963 the Scripps-Howard News Service.
Some of the more disrespectful reporters in Scripps-Howard's Washington bureau referred to Hendrix as "The Spook", because of the handouts he reputedly took from the CIA.[1]
For example, after the 1963 John F. Kennedy assassination, Hendrix had immediately contacted Scripps-Howard after the assassination and made them aware that he had Oswald's background for anyone who might need it, particularly Oswald's time span in the Soviet Union and his later connection with the Fair Play for Cuba Committee in New Orleans.[1]
In an article on 24th September, 1963, Hendrix was able to describe and justify the coup that overthrew Juan Bosch, the president of Dominican Republic. The only problem was the coup took place on the 25th September,[1] leading to charges he had inside info from the CIA.
International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation
Hendrix left the Scripps-Howard News Service in 1966 and went to work for the International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation (ITT), as director of inter-American relations in Buenos Aires. Officially, Hendrix worked in public relations but according to Thomas Powers, "he was something in the way of being a secret operative for the company". Later Hendrix moved to ITT's world headquarters in New York City.[1]
In 1970 ITT sent Hendrix to represent the company in Chile. On 4th September, 1970, Salvador Allende was elected as president of the country. Hendrix was disturbed by this development as Allende had threatened to nationalize $150 million worth of ITT assets in Chile if he won the election. It later emerged that Hendrix worked with the CIA in the overthrow of Allende. His CIA contact during the Chile operation was David Atlee Phillips.[1]
On 20th March, 1973, Hendrix gave evidence before Frank Church and his Senate Subcommittee on Multinational Corporations. He denied ever being a paid agent of the CIA. However, an investigation by Justice Department lawyer Walter May discovered documents that showed that Hendrix had lied when interviewed by Church's committee. Hendrix was allowed to plead guilty to lying under oath (which cost him a $100 fine and a one-month suspended sentence) in return for his cooperation with the Justice Department in its pursuit of perjury charges against higher-ranking ITT and CIA officials in the Chile matter.[1]
Spartacus Educational has a full article on Hal Hendrix
