“I Worked For The DoD” - Hells Angels Boss Reveals His SECRET Classified Double Life

Key Concepts

• Hell's Angels: Outlaw motorcycle club, its internal dynamics, power structures, and historical events.
• Security Clearance & DoD Work: The interviewee’s simultaneous involvement with the Department of Defense and the Hell's Angels, and the conflict arising from this.
• Power Dynamics & Leadership: The interviewee’s rise within the Hell's Angels, his leadership style, and his relationship with Sonny Barger.
• FBI Informant – Anthony “Tony” Tate: The impact of an FBI informant within the Hell's Angels organization and the consequences for Sonny Barger.
• Strategic Thinking & Tactical Experience: The application of military training and strategic planning within the outlaw motorcycle club context.

The Dual Life: Military Service, Security Clearance, and the Hell's Angels

The interviewee recounts a period of his life where he simultaneously held a top security clearance while working for the Department of Defense (DoD) and served as a leader within the Hell's Angels motorcycle club. He specifically worked at Point Magu and Port Hueneme at the Pacific Missile Test Center, and on Santa Cruz Island, maintaining a secret submarine surveillance system during the Cold War. This system was a direct line to Washington D.C. for reporting submarine activity. In 1978, after becoming President of the Los Angeles chapter of the Hell's Angels, his dual life was discovered by the DoD. He was presented with an ultimatum: resign from the club or lose his security clearance. He chose to remain with the Hell's Angels, stating, “Because I was an outlaw.” He explicitly denies using his DoD access or information to benefit the club, but acknowledges leveraging his experience as a 0311 rifleman in the Marine Corps – specifically his tactical training – within the outlaw motorcycle culture.

Recruitment and Rise to Power within the Hell's Angels

The interviewee’s entry into the Hell's Angels began in the early 1970s, through connections made on the Kern River. He was introduced to “Old Man John,” who saw potential in him. He was invited to the Glendale Clubhouse and quickly integrated into the club. John recognized the lack of discipline within the Los Angeles chapter and saw the interviewee as a potential “patriarch” figure.

By 1978, he had risen to become the number two figure – Consiliary President of Ventura County – a rapid ascent he attributes to a degree of luck, comparing himself to Forrest Gump. Others, however, described him as the “intellectual” and “strategic” mind of the organization, comparing his role to that of Meyer Lansky in the traditional Mafia structure – the “brains” behind the operation. He embraces the comparison, noting that law enforcement perceived him as the “Al Capone of Ventura.”

Peak Power and the Julian Shear Interview (Early 2000s)

The interviewee identifies the early 2000s (around 2002-2003) as the peak of his power within the Hell's Angels. This period coincided with the aftermath of a shootout at the Laughlin casino in Nevada. He recounts an encounter with investigative reporter Julian Shear, author of Hell's Angels: Angels of Death, who requested an interview. The interviewee insisted Shear come to his family home, a century-old property inherited from his grandfather, a Greek immigrant. Shear also interviewed Sonny Barger at his Arizona residence.

The interviewee notes that Shear was initially “pensive” but relaxed during their conversation. Shear later gifted him a signed copy of his book, inscribed “to my favorite angel of death.” This interview, however, contributed to a growing rift between the interviewee and Sonny Barger.

The Sonny Barger Fallout and the Anthony “Tony” Tate Incident

The interviewee’s differing vision for the club ultimately led to a falling out with Sonny Barger. A key factor in this breakdown was the case of Anthony “Tony” Tate, an FBI informant who infiltrated the Hell's Angels in the late 1980s (1988-1989). Tate spent approximately four years undercover within the club.

Barger initially embraced Tate, even promoting his rise within the organization, referring to him as “the Hell's Angels of the Future.” This proved to be a critical error, as Tate was revealed to be an FBI informant. Barger was subsequently convicted of conspiring to commit murder with Tate and served nearly four years in prison. The interviewee emphasizes that Barger’s embrace of Tate was a “tactical mistake.” He draws a parallel to figures like Joe Pisone and Donnie Barasco, known FBI informants in organized crime.

Leadership Lessons and the Importance of Respect

The interviewee references a lesson imparted by Michael Barger (Sonny Barger’s son): “Be careful with the young guys, because the young guys that are coming up are one day going to be the bosses.” Michael advised being mindful of how one treats those with little power, as they may one day hold significant influence. The interviewee acknowledges that not all rising members reciprocate such consideration, noting that ambition and ego can lead to disregard for past relationships.

Tuscano Advertisement

The final segment of the transcript is an advertisement for Tuscano shoes, emphasizing their commitment to Italian craftsmanship, quality materials, and a deliberate, non-rushed production process. The advertisement highlights the involvement of 50 skilled artisans and a two-year development period.

Notable Quote:

“You either go with us or you go with them because we're going to pull your security uh clearance if you don't uh resign from the Hell's Angels.” – DoD official, delivering the ultimatum to the interviewee.

Technical Terms:

• 0311 Rifleman: A military occupational specialty in the United States Marine Corps, denoting a basic infantryman.
• Consiliary President: A leadership position within the Hell's Angels organizational structure, typically overseeing a chapter or region.
• FBI Informant: A confidential source providing information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
• Top Security Clearance: A high level of authorization granting access to classified information.
• Pacific Missile Test Center: A facility used for testing and developing missile systems.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The interviewee’s story provides a unique perspective on the internal workings of the Hell's Angels, highlighting the complex interplay of power, loyalty, and strategic thinking within the organization. His simultaneous involvement with the DoD and the club underscores the contradictions and challenges of living a dual life. The narrative emphasizes the importance of strategic vision, tactical experience, and understanding the dynamics of power, both within the outlaw motorcycle world and in broader contexts. The fallout with Sonny Barger, stemming from the Anthony Tate incident, illustrates the dangers of misplaced trust and the long-term consequences of strategic errors.