MEMO FOR THE RECORD

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: SEAL BARRY
• Keywords: MENA ARKANSAS
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0001289686
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: June 22, 2015
• Document Release Date: September 30, 2009
• Case Number: F-2002-01499
• Publication Date: July 21, 1995

(b)(1)
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Memorandum for the Record
EVENT: MEMBER BRIEFING DATE:07/21/95 TIME: 1000 STATUS: COMPLETE
PLACE: 2186 RHOB
FOR: REP LEACH
SUBJ: MONEY LAUNDERING
REP.
CIA
CIA
--- (PARTICIPANTS) -----
----- (EXECUTIVE SUMMARY) -----
BRFR
SPRT
1. On 21 July 1995, at 1000 hours, in room 2186 Rayburn House Office Building, Chairman James Leach (R-IA),
Committee on Banking and Financial Services, and staffer Jamie McCormick, received a briefing, at Leach's written request to
the DCI, on allegations of k
in Arkansas in the late 1980s. Agency participants were: Investigative Staff, Office of Inspector General;
Chief, Legislation Grou Office of Congressional Affairs; and the undersigned. NSA participants were: Frank
Newton, Inspector General, an Congressional Affairsi
-_-( ADDITIONAL INFORMATION) --
2. Representative Leach began the briefing by saying that he was not interested in opening a new probe of U.S.
Contra-policy or suggesting wrongdoing by either Agency, especially since he served on the October Surprise Task Force,
where he was convinced that the Marcos' walked away with billion of dollars. Leach, however, did say he based his request for
the briefing on reports that have appeared in the press that refer to secret foreign bank accounts held by prominent people in
Mena, Arkansas, and an Arkansas-centered network of banks formed t
~
see attached incoming letter). Leach also said that over a period of time he had talked to a lot of people regarding this
issue. He said that most of the allegations contained within the articles were probably false, but he felt an obligation to look
into Whitewater related allegations on behalf of the Banking Committee. That said, some allegations may be credible, some
totally unbelievable, but as information goes out to the American public in non-traditional ways, it becomes more believable.
3. along with Frank Newton, responded to Leach's questions regarding each Agency's,- irrent
knowledge on involvement with ny of the alleged allegations contained in his letter. Newton responded o all of
the questions posed in the incoming letter, but did, however, provide a brief broadbrush background briefing on now NSA
conducts it normal daily activities said that the
capability of the IG to conduct its function depends in part on cooperation by others with CIA and thus far the IG had not look
into any of these allegations. However, said as he understood the current issue, a thorough search had been
conducted by CIA regarding PROMIS/Inslaw issues relating to Systematics, Inc., Mena, and Hadron, during a much earlier
timeframe. Also, he understood that thus far very little information had been found to be responsive to the exact allegations
APPROVED FOR
RELEASE^DATE:
28-Sep-2009
LEACH, JAMES A. (R-IA)
TBD
SECR T
 (Memorandum for the Record
Page
however, did say that the Agency had perhaps made some connections within
the larger picture of things. The Agency was aware of Barry Seal, but had no relationship with him nor any records regarding
As for PROMIS, that issue had been looked at in-depth by the Senate Select
Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) and the House Judiciary Committee in 1991 and 1993. The conclusion then and still is that
the Agency never purchased any INSLAW/PROMIS software.
Chairman Leach was also informed that w
6. Leach, after listening to the responses to his earlier questions, proceeded to ask approximately 45 other questions
regarding the issue, basically repeating many of the issues already addressed. For those questions and responses, please see
attached pages from a draft memorandum provided by staffer Jamie McCormick and checked against the personal notes of
the undersigned. The responses in the draft memorandum correspond correctly to the personal notes of the undersigned. F_
7. Leach concluded by once again saying he has an obligation to look into the matter on behalf of the Committee, and
asked us to inform the DCI and DIRNSA that he may hold hearings on these allegations in the fall. (U)
8. The briefing lasted approximately 90 minutes. Leach was informed that the Agency would continue to check its
records, especially on questions relating to: 1) Park-o-Meter;, 2) CIA's relationship, if any, with Terry Reed; and 3) whether the
CIA had any connection to Seal's cargo plane (serial number 54-0679). F-]
CIA Liaison Group
Office of Congressional Affairs