Editing Richard Secord (section)

==Iran-Contra Affair and Private Venture==
Secord’s post-military career centered on private intelligence and arms dealing, culminating in his pivotal role in the Iran-Contra affair.

	•	Iran-Contra Affair (1984–1986):
	◦	Secord partnered with Albert Hakim, an Iranian-American businessman, to form Stanford Technology Trading Group International and other companies to sell arms to Iran and fund Nicaraguan Contras, bypassing Congressional bans. Working with Clines, Oliver North, and others, Secord managed a covert network known as “The Enterprise.”
	◦	He oversaw arms shipments to Iran to secure the release of U.S. hostages and diverted profits to the Contras, using offshore accounts in Switzerland and the Cayman Islands. Secord personally profited, earning over $2 million.
	◦	In 1987, the Iran-Contra scandal broke, leading to Congressional hearings where Secord testified under immunity. He was indicted in 1988 on nine counts, including obstruction of justice and perjury, but pleaded guilty in 1989 to one count of making false statements to Congress. He received two years’ probation, avoiding prison due to his cooperation.

	•	Connection to [[Nugan Hand Bank]] and [[Michael Jon Hand]]:
	◦	Secord’s ties to Nugan Hand Bank are indirect, through [[Edwin P. Wilson]] and [[Thomas G. Clines]]. Wilson used Nugan Hand in 1974 to finance arms shipments to southern Africa, facilitated by Michael Jon Hand, a former CIA contractor. Secord’s involvement with Clines in [[EATSCO]] and their shared CIA network under Shackley suggest a parallel structure. Hand’s Laos experience with [[Air America]] and Secord’s oversight of similar operations indicate overlapping covert logistics.

	•	Other Ventures:
	◦	Secord operated Secord Enterprises, a security consulting firm, and worked with Hakim on ventures like Lake Resources, which managed Iran-Contra funds. His companies supported anti-communist groups in Central America and the Middle East, continuing his CIA-era objectives.

Air America:
	◦	Secord’s Vietnam and Laos roles directly tied him to Air America, which he used for air support and logistics under Shackley’s command. His coordination of combat missions and supply drops relied on Air America’s aircraft, and drug trafficking allegations mirror those against the airline, though Secord denied complicity.