Karel Koecher: A Spy Who Beat the CIA Polygraph

[George W. Maschke]

The Defense Personnel Security Research Center document, Recent Espionage Cases 1975-1999, includes yet another presumptive case where a double agent beat the CIA polygraph:

1984 - KARL F. KOECHER, a former CIA employee, and his wife, were arrested 27 November as they were preparing to fly to Switzerland. At the time, he was believed to be the first foreign agent to have penetrated the CIA having operated successfully as an "illegal" for Czech intelligence for 19 years. In 1962 Koecher was trained as a foreign agent by Czech intelligence. He and his wife staged a phony defection to the US in 1965 and soon became known as an outspoken anti-Communist member of the academic community in New York City. Both became naturalized citizens in 1971 and Koecher obtained a translator job with the CIA two years later where he translated Top Secret materials until 1975. Koecher, who claimed that he was a double-agent, was arrested after being observed making frequent contact with KGB operatives. According to Federal prosecutors, Mrs. Koecher operated as a paid courier for Czech intelligence until 1983. An FBI agent testified that from February 1973 to August 1983, Karl Koecher passed on to Czech agents highly classified materials including names of CIA personnel. However the case never came to trial. On 11 February 1985, Koecher was exchanged in Berlin for Soviet dissident Anatoly Shcharansky.

New York Times, 28 Nov 1984, "Man Charged with Passing State Secrets"
                           5 Dec 1984, "Wife is Held in Contempt of Court for Refusing to Testify "
                           13 Jan 1985, "Intrigue and Countercharges Mark Case of Purported Spies"
Washington Post, 17 Apr 1988, "Moscow Mole in the CIA"

***

 

[J.B. McCloughan]

From: http://www.dodpoly.army.mil/history.htm

In 1983, the President signed National Security Decision Directive No. 84 (NSDD 84) directing the expansion of security programs. In 1985, Congress passed a bill directing and authorizing the Secretary of Defense to institute a program of counterintelligence polygraph examinations for military, civilian, and contractor personnel whose duties involved access to classified and highly sensitive compartmented information. Based upon NSDD 84, DoDPI expanded its curriculum to address increasing concerns in the counterintelligence area.[/u]

From: http://www.dss.mil/training/espionage/1985.htm

1985 - ARTHUR JAMES WALKER, a retired Navy Lieutenant Commander, was arrested on 29 May for providing classified material to his brother in 1981 and 1982. Arthur Walker was employed with a Defense contractor in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he reportedly sought work in early 1980 at the urging of his brother, John A. Walker, to gain access to classified documents. During the period of his employment, Arthur Walker provided his brother with several Confidential documents which related to ship construction and design. These were photocopied and returned to the firm's classified container. In all Arthur Walker received $12,000 for his collaboration, much of which he returned to his brother to repay a debt.

On 9 August, he was found guilty of seven counts of espionage by a US District Court judge. On 12 November, Arthur Walker was sentenced to life imprisonment and fined $250,000. At the time of sentencing it was revealed that polygraph tests indicated Walker may have been involved in espionage while on active duty with the Navy[/u].

[George W. Maschke]

J.B.,

What's your point?

[beech trees]

Note the paragraph reads, "At the time of sentencing..." Clearly, in an attempt to bolster their case against Mr. Walker and add severity to the punishment phase, the prosecution tacked on the specious "it was revealed that polygraph tests indicated Walker may have been involved in espionage while on active duty with the Navy."

"May have been involved"? I though polygraph tests concluded with one of two findings: Deception Indicated or No Deception Indicated.

This is simple manipulation and fabrication on the part of the Federal government.

[Mr. Mystery]

J.B.,

I'm confused as to what you are trying to indicate.   Koecher was indeed employed by the CIA as a translater and required to undergo a polygraph examination prior to employment.   Pre-employment screenings were already in place at the CIA when he was hired.  The DOD citation offered wouldn't have applied to him.

[r tay]

I was in NYC the day Koecher was arrested. He looked like he was on the way to a vacation in the Bahamas, sporty clothes and sporting a big grin.   His photo is shown in Kalugin's book - without a name - First Directorate.

[reak21]

Is this the most substantive thing that you can contribute to this discussion?

[Mr. Truth]

Like yours? Replying to something over 5 months old, on a thread started over 9 years ago? Thanks for playing.

[George W. Maschke]

On 30 June 2016, The Guardian published a feature article about polygraph-beating spy Karel Koecher:

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/30/how-a-czech-super-spy-infiltrated-cia-karel-koecher