At this time, the newly sworn President Richard Nixon became frustrated by constant leaks to the press, which were detrimental to his image as well as the administration. In response Nixon formed a group called the “plumbers” in order to extinguish potential leaks. The “plumbers” were led by E. Howard hunt, a former FBI agent. Chief of staff H.R. Halderman and Domestic advisor John Ehrlichman ordered the plumbers to break in the Democratic National Committee’s office in the Watergate complex. On June 17, 1972 at 2:30am, five men were arrested planting bugs in the Democratic National Committee office. And on Monday June 19, 1972 Bob Woodward received information from his source at the FBI. Even before the scandal began Woodward referred to his source for political information and often time called his source a “friend”.
In All The Presidents Men, reporter Bob Woodward said, “federal source close to the investigation said the address book E. Hunt with the notations W.H.” The burglars had phone numbers to White House aides in their address books including that of Howard Hunt, Bernard Barker, and Kenneth Dahlberg. One of the five burglars was paid $25,000 from the funds for Nixon’s reelection campaign. Two of President’s Nixon’s top campaign officials each withdrew more than $50,000 from a secret fund that financed intelligence-gathering activities against the Democrats. Since Howard Hunt name was beginning to surface as suspicion in the Watergate burglary, John Ehrlichman (Nixon’s aid) told L. Patrick Gray to “deep six” the contents of the safe of Howard Hunt. Gray took home the materials and burned Watergate related documents. Gray who also worked with John W. Dean III, White House Counsel, cancelled an FBI interview with lawyer Miguel Ogarrio, stating that it would harm CIA operations in Mexico. Nixon and H.R. Halderman (White House Chief of Staff) ordered CIA deputy director Vernon Walters to keep the FBI’s investigation out of Mexico. Even more, three FBI officials confronted Gray and complained about what they viewed as odd behavior and interference with the Bureau’s Watergate investigation.
What is most interesting is the term “deep six” relating to “deep throat”. Although deep throat was a popular pornographic movie in the 70’s, Deep Throat and deep six both have a correlation to L. Patrick Gray. Deep six was the code to Gray to destroy Hunt’s documents and deep throat is what many have speculated to be L. Patrick Gray. Either in regards to validity or suspicions the correlation is very strong. However, according to Lisa Todorvich, what is known about the identity of Deep Throat is the following information:
- One person
- Male Gendered
- Confirmed and denied reports
- Dubbed Deep Throat from Howard Simons after a popular Porn movie
- Smokes heavily
- Drinks scotch
- Held a extremely sensitive position in the Executive branch
- Access to information from the White House, Justice, The FBI, and the CRP
In addition to these clues Deep Throat met with Woodward at certain dates and times. Some of the candidates of Deep Throat such as Mark Felt and Charles Bates were out-of-town on the dates that Woodward and Deep Throat met. Gray on the other hand is the only alive candidate that could have possibly met at the applicable dates. Also, Woodward met Deep Throat at odd times of the day and night in an underground parking garage. To schedule these times to meet, Woodward would position a red potted plant to the right of his balcony if he wanted to meet with Deep Throat that day. If Deep Throat wanted to meet with Woodward he would circle page twenty of Woodward’s New York Times. He would also position the hands of a clock indicating the time of the rendezvous at the lower corner of the page. Bear in mind subscription newspapers are delivered on or before 7am.
Gray lived four blocks from Woodward. It is plausible that he could have circled page 20 of Woodward’s New York Time and met with Woodward at each unique time and date. This is true because of the closeness in proximity to each other. If Gray walked only four blocks towards Woodward he had a perfect view of the secret signal (flower pot) that sat on Woodward’s balcony. Also, on Gray’s way to work he could have passed and saw the secret signal. Moreover, Gray held a “sensitive position,” he was acting director of the FBI. Gray had access to information at the Committee to Re-Elect the President, White House, Justice, and FBI through Watergate liaisons in regards to “deep six” and of course through his executive position. Also, while the FBI investigated the Watergate scandal and received new evidence Woodward also received information from his “friend in the FBI” that paralleled the FBI’s own probe. Gray had the inside scoop from every angle (FBI and Deep six).
On June 19th two days after the break-in Woodward received information that Howard Hunt was definitely involved in Watergate. The only way he could have known anything about Howard Hunt was through Gray who was apart of “Deep six”. Curiously, before Gray was appointed he inquired about the J. Edgar Hoover’s “D list” files. Also not even a month into his position did the news about Watergate break. After Watergate, Gray withdrew his name from Senate consideration to be permanent Director and resigned from the FBI on April 27, 1973. Gray was indicted in 1978 for approving other break-ins during the Nixon administration. However, according to John Herber, the government later dropped and pardoned Gray.
Recently, according to Kathleen Hayden, Bob Woodward appeared on NBC’s Today show. He explained how he and Deep Throat still remain friends and upon Deep Throat’s death he would reveal his Identity. Other expected candidates of Deep Throat like Cord Meyer and William Colby died several years ago and Woodward never stepped forward. Meaning Deep Throat must still be alive after all these years. Gray is now in his late 70’s and Bob Woodward has yet to reveal the greatest mystery in the Watergate scandal.
Bardsley, Marilyn.The Files.Copyright 1999< http://www.crimelibrary.com/hoover/hooverfiles.htm>
Todorovich, Lisa. Deep Throat Suspect.Copyright1997<http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/national/longterm/watergate/deept.htm>
Herber, John. In Three Decades, Nixon Tasted Crisis and Defeat, Victory, Ruin and Revival.Copyright1999 <http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/06/14/specials/nixon-obit2.html>
Hayden,Kathleen.Watergate.copyright1997<http://www.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1997/gen/resources/watergate/deepthroat/>