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(This is an encore episode previously posted on June 15, 2019 as Episode 170. The audio interview and show notes have been edited and updated.)
Retired agent Oliver “Buck” Revell served in the FBI for 30 years.
In this episode, he reviews the FBI Dallas Division’s investigation into allegations of dirty tricks made during the 1992 presidential campaign primary involving the campaigns of President George H. W. Bush and candidate Ross Perot. He also discusses the important but precarious role of the FBI and politics when investigating criminal matters with serious political implications.
During his Bureau career, Buck Revell assumed many leadership roles, culminating with his promotion to Associate Deputy Director in Charge of Investigations and Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office.
He is the author of A G-Man’s Journal: A Legendary Career Inside the FBI- From The Kennedy Assassination to the Oklahoma City Bombing in which he shares highlights from his career.
The book covers the case discussed in this episode (Chapter 24) and several other investigations involving the FBI and politics.
I let Buck know I was going to release his case review again and asked if he wanted to provide an update statement. This is what he told me:
“I worked on every kind of official corruption case there is from local police, county commissioners, and state representatives to Federal Judges, Congressmen, and Senators. However, working a case involving a President or a Presidential candidate is obviously the most difficult and sensitive. You just have to follow the law and your oath and not let anyone lead you astray. In the end, that is what the vast majority of the American people want and expect of you.”— Retired agent Oliver “Buck” Revell
Associate Deputy Director (Retired)
Oliver “Buck” Revell
11/16/1964 – 8/31/1994
“If you think you’re going to come through this type of investigation unscathed, that’s not being very realistic.”—Retired Agent Oliver “Buck” Revell
The following are links to newspaper articles about the dirty tricks allegations made during the 1992 presidential campaign and issue involving the FBI and politics:
Washington Post – 10/27/1992: CHARGES REVISITED BITTERLY BY PEROT
New York Times – 10/27/1992: THE 1992 CAMPAIGN: The Investigation; Officials Say Perot Charges Led F.B.I. to Try Sting at Bush Office
Dallas Observer – 9/12/1996: Perotnoia
Buck was also interviewed on FBI Retired Case File Review about the first FBI case where extra-territorial jurisdiction was used to capture and prosecuted a subject for a crime that had occurred outside the US. You can listen to the episode here:
Episode 110: Oliver “Buck” Revell – Operation Goldenrod, G-Man’s Journal
Exactly, why was NO CONGRESSIONAL PROBE, NO SENATE PROBE, NO FEDERAL GRAND JURY OPENED ? TO GET TO THE TRUTH AND FACTS ? Several U/C Agents were involved as we met with them to get our “Wires On” ask him about his man “Bob Watson” and others who started this scandal the FBI is NOT above the Law..
Buck Revell lied on this podcast the FBI set the sting up. There was never any Congressional or Senate probe. No FBI did any full investigations.
I don’t recall Buck Revell saying anything about a Congressional or Senate probe. If an undercover agent was employed, at the least a preliminary investigation would have been opened. I don’t remember him saying it was a full.