Final Report of The Independent Counsel for Iran/Contra Matters
Volume I: Investigations and Prosecutions
Lawrence E. Walsh; Independent Counsel
August 4, 1993; Washington, D.C.

Iran/Contra Matters
Preface
Part I: Underlying Facts
Part II-History of Investigation
Part III: Operational Conspiracy
Part IV-NSC Staff
Part V-Funds/Private Operatives
Part VI-CIA Officers
Chpt 15: William Casey
Chpt 16: Robert Gates
Chpt 17: US v Clair George
Chpt 18: US v Duane Clarridge
Chpt 19 US v Alan Fiers
Chpt 20: US v Joseph Fernandez
Chpt 21: CIA Subject #1
Chpt 22: James L. Adkins
Chpt 23: CIA Conduct Nov '86
Chpt 24: Shultz-Hill-Platt
Part VII-State Dept. Officers
Part VIII DoD Officers
Part IX-White House
Part X-Political Oversight
Part XI-Concluding Observations
Index

Chapter 22: James L. Adkins

James L. Adkins was the chief of a CIA facility in Central America from January 1986 until May 1987.1   Independent Counsel found that from January 1986 until October 1986, when lethal U.S. Government aid to the contras was prohibited, Adkins knew and approved of contra-resupply missions by CIA pilots, in violation of the Boland Amendment. Independent Counsel also found that Adkins approved of the provision of thousands of dollars of aviation fuel to the contras -- fuel that was mischarged to CIA accounts -- and lied to investigators from the CIA's Office of Inspector General about his activities.2   Despite the evidence, Independent Counsel concluded in November 1987 that he would not bring criminal charges against Adkins, principally because prosecution would not have advanced Independent Counsel's investigation into the Iran/contra affair.

Much of the information gathered during Independent Counsel's investigation of Adkins is classified and came from classified sources. A complete account of the investigation is set forth in the Classified Appendix to this report.

Footnotes

In May 1987, the CIA placed Adkins on administrative leave. The Agency later forced Adkins to resign.
Inspector's Notes, Adkins Interview, 3/26/87, ANT 003312-14; Inspector's Notes, Adkins Interview, 5/7/87. Independent Counsel found additional evidence that Adkins authorized activities that violated the Mrazek Amendment, Title II of the Military Construction Appropriations Act of 1987, Pub. L. 99-500, but concluded that the legal guidance that was provided to Adkins about the Amendment was insufficient to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Adkins knew his conduct was illegal.