Robert Mullen Company
Robert Mullen Company is a public relations company in Washington DC.[1] The firm was founded in 1952 by Robert R. Mullen, who was a campaign press secretary for Dwight D. Eisenhower and information director for the Marshall Plan.[2] A Watergate committee report and a CIA document revealed that the Robert Mullen Company has in at least two instances been a front for CIA operations abroad.[3][4]
In 1971 the Robert Mullen Company was purchased by Robert Foster Bennett, son of U.S. Senator Wallace Foster Bennett.
Watergate
In 1972 the company received public attention in relation to the Watergate scandal.
Howard Hunt Jr, a former official of the CIA and Robert Mullen Company employee, was convicted of conspiracy and served time in prison after a check with his name on it found at the scene of the break-in connected him to one of the burglars.[2][5] Hunt had obtained a Covert Security Approval to handle the firm's affairs during Mullen's absence from Washington.[4]
CIA relationship
A report by Howard Baker, the Republican vice-chairman for the Watergate committee:[3]
The Mullen and Company has maintained a relationship with the Central Intelligence Agency since its incorporation in 1959. It provided cover for an agent in Europe and an agent in the Far East at the time of the Watergate break-in
Notable Clients
- American Bar Association[2]
- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints[2]
- American Automobile Association[2]
- General Foods[6]
- United States Department of Health, Education, and Welfare[7]
References
- ^ Hustlers & Hucksters
- ^ a b c d e ROBERT R. MULLEN DEAD AT 77; EISENHOWER AIDE IN '52 RACE
- ^ a b Mormons and the Watergate Scandal - Justice Dept. Warns Church About Illegal Taping
- ^ a b "ARRB REQUEST: CIA-IR-06, QKENCHANT" (gif). Central Intelligence Agency. 1996-05-14. p. 3. Retrieved 2010-06-11.
- ^ Context of 'June 17, 1972: Lead Burglar Cleans out Watergate Listening Post, Alerts Lawyer to Arrests'
- ^ Douglas Caddy
- ^ Stauber, John C.; Sheldon Rampton (1995). Toxic Sludge is Good for You: Lies, Damn Lies, and the Public Relations Industry. Monroe, ME: Common Courage Press. ISBN 1-56751-061-2.