Why did Richard V. Allen resign from government service in 1982?

On the 4th of January 1982, he resigned before any charges were proven after classified sources revealed his firm solicited bribes paid as consulting fees.

What testimony did Richard V. Allen give regarding Vietnam in 1992?

Allen testified under oath on the 23rd of June 1992 about a financial offer involving fifty prisoners and an exchange for four billion dollars.

Where did Richard V. Allen die and how old was he when he passed away?

A hospital in Denver recorded his death on the 16th of November 2024, and he was eighty-eight years old when he passed away.

Richard V. Allen: the story on HearLore

Richard Vincent Allen entered the world on the 1st of January 1936, in Collingswood, New Jersey. He was the son of Magdalen Buchman and Charles Carroll Allen. His early education took place at Saint Francis Preparatory School located in Spring Grove, Pennsylvania. Allen later earned both a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master of Arts degree from the University of Notre Dame. His graduate work focused specifically on political science. These academic foundations prepared him for decades of service before he ever touched national security policy.

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Allen served as Ronald Reagan's chief foreign policy advisor starting in 1977. This role preceded Reagan's election victory in November 1980. The White House appointed Allen as the first National Security Advisor under President Reagan on the 21st of January 1981. Photographs show Allen standing beside Reagan in the Oval Office during that month. Cabinet members gathered with them in May 1981 to mark his new position. He held this office until early 1982 when controversy forced his departure.

In November 1981, Allen faced accusations regarding payments from Japanese corporations. A Japanese journalist allegedly offered cash gifts to people interviewed by their magazine. Allen intercepted a check intended for First Lady Nancy Reagan to avoid embarrassment. He gave the check to his secretary who placed it in an office safe. When Allen changed offices, the check remained inside the safe. The FBI cleared all individuals involved but the Justice Department opened its own investigation. Classified sources later revealed Allen and his Potomac Associates partners solicited bribes paid as consulting fees. Japanese security operations reported these crimes to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. They requested quiet removal of Allen from government service. On the 4th of January 1982, he resigned before any charges were proven.

Allen testified under oath on the 23rd of June 1992, about a specific financial offer involving Vietnam. He stated that an unidentified third country possibly Canada passed information regarding fifty prisoners. This information concerned a return of American prisoners of war in exchange for four billion dollars. Committee investigators asked if the administration became involved with this Vietnamese government offer soon after taking office. Allen replied that the figure stuck in his mind. He recalled writing notes suggesting negotiation might be worth the president's approval. When pressed about whether the money was for live prisoners, Allen confirmed yes. He estimated dozens or hundreds of prisoners remained held at that time. Later recantations occurred while no other official supported the statement publicly.

Richard V. Allen Company operated as a Washington D.C.-based consulting services firm. Allen served as its president providing services to international companies and organizations. He worked on APCO Worldwide's Iraq reconstruction task force during the early 2000s. Trade press considered him one of the most influential lobbyists in Washington for South Korea's interests. The Hoover Institution appointed him as a senior fellow following his White House tenure. He joined the advisory council of the Nixon Center and served on the United States Defense Policy Board. Allen also became a fellow of St Margaret's College located in Otago, New Zealand.

Allen married Patricia Ann Mason in 1957. They raised seven children together over their lifetime. In later years he divided his residence between Denver, Colorado, and Long Beach Island, New Jersey. A hospital in Denver recorded his death on the 16th of November 2024. He was eighty-eight years old when he passed away. His life spanned from the 1st of January 1936, until that final day in late autumn.

Richard V. Allen.

Reagan Administration Service

Reagan Administration Service

The Bribery Controversy

Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

Post-Administration Career

Personal Life And Death

The Bribery Controversy

Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

Post-Administration Career

Personal Life And Death

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Common questions

Richard V. Allen.

1. Reagan Administration Service

1. Reagan Administration Service

2. The Bribery Controversy

3. Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

4. Post-Administration Career

5. Personal Life And Death

2. The Bribery Controversy

3. Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

4. Post-Administration Career

5. Personal Life And Death

Continue Browsing

Common questions

Reagan Administration Service

Reagan Administration Service

The Bribery Controversy

Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

Post-Administration Career

Personal Life And Death

The Bribery Controversy

Vietnam Prisoner Negotiations

Post-Administration Career

Personal Life And Death