Editing Robert Altman (section)

===Role in BCCI’s Acquisition of First American===
In the late 1970s, Altman, as a partner at Clifford & Warnke, worked with Clark Clifford to represent BCCI in its acquisition of First American Bankshares, a Washington, D.C.-based bank. BCCI, founded by Agha Hasan Abedi, used nominees to conceal its ownership, violating U.S. banking laws. Altman served as president of First American, managing its operations alongside Clifford, who was chairman.

BCCI’s CIA Links: BCCI was used by the CIA to facilitate covert operations, including funding the Afghan mujahideen and the Iran-Contra affair. A 1992 Senate report confirmed the CIA held accounts at BCCI and used the bank for “sensitive intelligence operations.” Altman’s role at First American placed him in proximity to these activities, as the bank was a BCCI front.

Allegations of CIA Complicity: Senate investigations (1991–1992) suggested BCCI’s operations, including its control of First American, were tolerated by U.S. authorities, including the CIA, due to the bank’s utility in covert operations. Reports, such as those by Peter Dale Scott, speculate that Altman’s legal work for BCCI aligned with CIA interests, given the bank’s role in intelligence operations.