OFFICER'S PRIVILEGE: THE COL. GEORGE MARECEK STORY

Spies Like US

In one of the odder twists of the Maracek tale, Russell Preston, a Green Beret buddy of Marecek's who would later provide critical testimony against him, was also allegedly targeted for recruitment by Czech intelligence operatives, a fact that was uncovered and trumpeted by Maracek supporters during his trials. There was never any proof that the Czechs actually succeeded in enlisting him, and Preston has consistently denied that Czech spymasters ever employed him.

Whatever Marecek's official reasons for being in Czechoslovakia, by the spring of 1991, Viparet Maracek was convinced that her husband was becoming deeply involved with his cousin.

She began to confide in Marecek's eldest daughter, Susan Kirk. Court papers filed in 2002 describe the circumstances this way: "Viparet began to call Kirk with increasing frequency while (Maracek) was in Czechoslovakia," and on at least one occasion, while she and the Colonel were visiting with Kirk after one of his trips, she became noticeably agitated while Marecek showed slides of his most recent trip abroad.

"There were several of (Maracek and Marecekova)," according to the court papers. In them, the Colonel and his cousin were standing together, often touching. "Viparet elbowed Kirk each time (Marecek) showed a picture of himself next to Hana."