Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy: A Watergate Saboteur Switches from Disrupting Campaigns to Spying on Employees

by Martin D. Kelly

Not until Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy does a memoir exist by one of the principal Watergate saboteurs-provocateurs that exposes the full extent of the insalubrious side of politics and negative campaigning. And that is not After Watergate, Kelly became a corporate security consultant that provided undercover agents for client companies to spy on their employees. Kelly also specialized in eavesdropping detection, which took him around the world searching for clandestine listening devices for clients such as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Ferdinand Marcos, the Miami Dolphins, Eastern Airlines and even suspected drug dealers. He secretly provided debugging training for entities such as IBM, Revlon, the U.S. Navy and dozens of others. During President Nixon's second term when the Watergate scandal erupted, Kelly teamed with Donald Segretti in a wild series of underhanded capers that created havoc in the Democratic presidential primaries. Kelly and Segretti turned a fundraising dinner for front-runner Senator Ed Muskie at the Washington Hilton into absolute chaos; hired a University of Miami coed to strip naked and parade before Muskie's hotel; released two mice and a bird that threw a Muskie press conference into total confusion; organized fake luncheons, fake press releases, and other unscrupulous acts. The aim of the Nixon White House and Committee to Reelect the President was for the dirty tricksters to sow discontent among the Democratic primary candidates so they would blame each other for the dirty tricks, making it more difficult for them to unite in the general election against Nixon. The author was one of only three witnesses who testified specifically about dirty tricks before the Senate Watergate Committee. Initial chapters reveal how dirty tricks were covertly planned and executed, how Kelly dealt with special prosecutors, investigators, Karl Rove, Watergate Judge John Sirica, the FBI, an inebriated Senator Ted Kennedy, the seven U.S. Senators on the Senate Watergate Committee, Bernstein and Woodward, Lesley Stahl and others in the media. Mid chapters expose inside secrets on successful tactics for public-office seekers or those climbing the rough-and-tumble steps of internal party politics. In final chapters, Kelly unveils the widespread corporate spying that is going on in America to this day, with amazing examples from his security consulting career as a covert industrial undercover agent and secret mystery shopper who spied on all levels of employees. Kelly also fully discloses his role as a polygraph examiner and interrogator with hilarious anecdotes as well as how polygraph can be beaten. Even more controversial examples are revealed from Kelly's specialized international work as a detector of clandestine listening devices, complete with the tools and tricks of the trade. With an intriguing yet amusing style, Kelly names names and holds back nothing in Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy.

410 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2018

Reviews

[LAWonder10 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir is totally interesting and somewhat enlightening.
In his own words, Martin Kelly relates how he became in involved in the Watergate Conspiracy, what he did, his entire hearing, why he did not go to jail, and the negative impact it had on the rest of his life.
It, also, tells of how he tried to learn from this major mistake and make something worthwhile of his remaining years.
He explains much about Watergate I was unclear on, and I have always been quite involved in politics. It is amazing of how "dirty" politics has always been a part of political power, not excluding the U.S.A.I I question, how many individuals in today's society really know what Watergate was all about.
I am further amazed that what President Trump has been forced to endure, is worse than Nixon ever thought of doing, yet nobody is held accountable!
In the past, once a candidate won, the other party accepted it and worked at supporting the administration. There was still integrity, which is greatly missing in most of today's Politicians.
Martin Kelly humbly admits he deserved everything he got sand more, and is very regrettable he allowed himself to be persuaded into setting aside his values to be a part of this despicable
plot.
The main problem I had with this book is there was quite a bit of repetition. (Plus, personally, I disliked the crude sexual comments and profanity,
The Book Title was chosen well and the Cover image depicted the two sides of all, very well. It would be eye-catching to "the browser":

*This was gifted me with no stipulation of a positive review. This is my honest review.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was born way after the Watergate incident. However, I am briefly familiar with the event. Yet, not a lot of details. Mr. Kelly lived this event and it changed his life forever. Thus, the only way you can get all of the facts and the "truth" is straight from the horse's mouth.

Mr. Kelly does just that by giving readers tons of details...from the moments leading up to the event, the conclusion and everything else in between. On one hand, I found this book intriguing with a in depth look into the behind the scenes of what it is like to be a "spy/whistleblower". Yet, on the other hand, it was like too much of a good thing can be a lot. That is how I felt. With mixed feelings as I was drawn to the lots of information but the information was overwhelming. Also, it seemed like with all of the details it kind of slowed the book reading down as I tried to soak it all in. Overall, this book is still worth a look.

[Angela Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy gives readers an insider view. This book takes readers inside the darker sides of both the political and corporate spaces of the world that most of us know exist--but, rarely visit. While I learned about Nixon's Watergate scandal in history classes--I didn't know about the "dirty tricksters" or their activities.

Readers will love Kelly's writing style. The author's "trickster" personality shines through from beginning to end in this humorous memoir. While, indeed, some of the issues peeked into are not funny--the author relates his life story and his adventures in such a down to Earth, easy going manner--that it is quite entertaining. Readers will not find a stuffy politician or corporate suit telling this story--just a regular guy who has a great storytelling technique.

Would I recommend Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy? With the current state of politics--and misadventures following both political parties daily, I think readers will enjoy reading a story of similar misadventures handled before the days of constant media shares. The author tells a real story in a humorous, authentic manner that creates a delightful read for readers. (Even those with minimal interest in politics and scandals.) If you enjoy memoirs--this is a unique one for readers, and I highly recommend it.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author or publisher for use in a blog review. All opinions are my own.

[Teddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a child when Watergate happened. I remember watching the news every night with my parents and saw President Nixon’s speech/resignation. I was 10 years old when he resigned. There are a lot of things I don’t remember form that age but I do remember Nixon’s resignation like it was today!

When I was asked if I wanted to read a memoir by a guy who was involved, of course I agreed.

Martin D. Kelly wasn’t just involved, it turns out he was knee deep in it! After Watergate, he left politics only to become a corporate spy, setting up listening devices, etc and a private investigator. He exposes many of the tactics he used both for Watergate and as a spy.

You would think this book would make for heavy reading however, Kelly has a wicked sense of humor and it turns out, the guy can write! I did get pretty angry in parts and certainly don’t condone many of the things he has done but this is a great read. I can’t help but wonder if he wrote his memoir now because he is getting up there in age and wants people to know what he did. Almost like a criminal badge of honor.

It is also easy to see the parallel from today’s politics and could be read as a “beware”. No matter what his motivation for publishing his memoir now, it is timely. There is never a dull moment and I can highly recommend it!

[Amber Hawke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy by Martin D. Kelly was a well written memoir that was both informative and enjoyable, two thing that rarely go together in memoirs came together perfectly in this one. There were some spots that were more serious, but most of the book was rather fun to read, even with the one adult scene. I personally felt that scene was well done as it was not over the top, but rather just another part of the book.

[Misty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirty Trickster, Corporate Spy by Martin D. Kelly was the very first memoir that I have actually enjoyed reading! I loved reading about Kelly's involvement with Dean Martin, the Miami Dolphins, and Eastern Airlines as it really opened my eyes to what can go on behind the scenes. I found some of the ricks rather amusing and I found it rather sad how often people fell for them. Overall, this was a great book that was worth the read.