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Prelude to Political Spying
In the late fall of 1971, John Dean, counsel to the President, asked Liddy to set up "an absolutely first-class intelligence operation "to ensure Nixon's re-election in 1972. Liddy said such an effort would cost $1 million. "No problem, "he quotes Dean as replying. Liddy and Hunt set about recruiting people for the operation.
In California I attempted to recruit one woman, Sherry Stevens, who was ideal as a plant. She was flashily good-looking, young, had secretarial skills and experience, and appeared able to attract men sexually if she wished. At dinner Miss Stevens seemed reluctant, and when I told her that her identity would be revealed to no one, she pointed out that I would know her identity. I told her that no one could force me to disclose anything I chose not to reveal. She didn't believe me. I told her to light her cigarette lighter and hold it out. She did and I placed my hand, palm down, over the flame. Presently the flesh turned black and when she smelled the scent of burning meat, Sherry Stevens pulled the lighter away from my hand. Pale, Miss Stevens said she was sure I would never betray her, but excused herself as a candidate, invoking a just remembered plan to marry a Swiss airplane pilot in September of 1972. She asked to be taken home.
At her apartment Miss Stevens appeared even more fearful, saying she hoped "you won't go down in flames" if she didn't offer to sleep with me.
"My God," I said, "is that what you thought all this was about? Weren't you listening to what I was saying?"
"Well, I wasn't sure."
"Be sure. I want you for the job. No strings attached."
Stevens turned the job down. No matter. Liddy, who had become the counsel for Nixon's re-election committee as a front for his intelligence assignment, was soon asked to lay out his million-dollar operation. With handsome, 3-ft. by 4-ft. charts provided by the CIA, he readied a Madison Avenue-style presentation for Attorney General John Mitchell.
We met Mitchell in his small inner office. At my request there was an easel set up. I greeted the Attorney General and, as Magruder [Jeb Stuart Magruder, deputy director of the Committee to Re-Elect the President] seated himself in front of the desk with Dean, I set up my charts.
The plan was given the overall name of GEMSTONE, and although most components bore the names of a precious or semiprecious stone, some were named for minerals. I started with operation DIAMOND.
DIAMOND was our counterdemonstration plan. At the time, we still expected the [Republican] convention to be held in San Diego. I proposed to identify protest leaders, kidnap them, drug them, and hold them in Mexico until after the convention was over, then release them unharmed. The