William J. Casey

William Joseph Casey ( born March 13, 1913 in New York City; † May 6, 1987 ibid ) was an American government official. He was from 1981 to 1987 Director of Central Intelligence and headed the foreign intelligence service CIA.

Biography

Early career

Casey graduated from Fordham University and St. John's University and received a law degree in 1937. During the Second World War he worked for the Office of Strategic Services. Under Richard Nixon, he led from 1971 to 1973 the presidency of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. From February 1973 to March 1974, he held the post of Secretary of State for Economic Affairs ( Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs ) in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the United States. In advance of the 1980 presidential election, he served as campaign manager during the election campaign team of Ronald Reagan.

Director of the CIA

Casey was the campaign manager for Ronald Reagan and worked after the election in the Reagan transition team. After taking office, Reagan appointed Casey as director of the CIA. During his tenure at the CIA, Casey played a large role in the shaping of Reagan's foreign policy, particularly Reagan's approach to Soviet international activity. Casey had to be allowed to consult privately as the first CIA director the status of a Cabinet member and the privilege of the President.

In his tenure as CIA director fall financial and military support to the Islamic mujahedeen in the Soviet- Afghan war and the start of cooperation with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. In Nicaragua, the CIA financed under Casey the Contra rebels and their fight against the government of the country. In this context, Casey was also accused Iran - Contra affair, but it was because Casey's health no conviction.

Casey died in 1987 of a brain tumor.