Was Bear really a consultant for the FBI, or merely a rat?

[RespectableGent]

Think about it. In the mid to late 70's John Bear was running a number of illegal diploma mills, the kind which sold degrees and required no work what-so-ever in addition to the kind which required a minimum amount of work.

Then, according to Bear, he became a "consultant" for the FBI in 1980. I'll take this to mean that they came knocking at his door and rather than facing charges and prison time Bear negotiated a deal to become an "informant" and proceeded to rat out all of his friends.

[Dickie Billericay]

RespectableGent Wrote:Then, according to Bear, he became a "consultant" for the FBI in 1980.

And his dad was "blacklisted," while everyone else said "unemployed."  That's a journalism major at work.  He knows how to use a thesaurus.

RespectableGent Wrote:...and proceeded to rat out all of his friends.

...and his competitors.  Gotta give him credit for creative manipulation of government oppression.   Bear was peddling unaccredited paper in Hawaii while Ezell was kicking down the doors of his business rivals.

[ham]

Informants exchanging immunity with insider's info are many. Equally common is the practice of blasting one's opponents and competitors. Of course none wants to put 'squealer' on his resume...

[Armando Ramos]

Quote:[Confidential Informants (CIs)] can also come with a host of motivations. While some informants are motivated by money, or promises to have charges dropped or reduced, other informants will provide information to the authorities out of revenge or in order to further their own criminal schemes either by using law enforcement as a way to take out rival gangs or even a rival within their own organization. Because of these varying motivations, it can be very difficult to tell when CIs are fabricating information or when they are trying to manipulate the authorities. In fact, it is not at all uncommon for inexperienced or vulnerable handlers to lose control of a CI. In extreme cases, it is even possible for a smooth and sophisticated CI to end up controlling their handler. And this is not just confined to ICE or small-town police departments; there have been instances of FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents being manipulated and controlled by their CIs.

http://www.policeone.com/drug-interdicti...ged-sword/