Intertel / International Intelligence Inc. (1970s-)
artifactIntelligence & Surveillance · Nations & Geopolitics
A private spy company grew out of a paint company that was itself a documented CIA front — and it later touched Howard Hughes, the Tylenol murders, and a Trump takeover fight.
Who they are
Intertel (International Intelligence Inc.), a private intelligence and security firm active from the 1970s onward.
What they do
It functioned as a privatized spy agency for wealthy and powerful clients.
How it works
It spun off from the Mary Carter Paint Company (a documented CIA front); its 1970s clients included the reclusive billionaire Howard Hughes, the Chicago Tylenol-murders investigation, and moving the Shah of Iran; and it surfaced in a 1980s takeover battle involving Roy Cohn, Donald Trump, and Merv Griffin.
Why it matters
It is a concrete example of intelligence-style capabilities being sold as a private service to the rich and connected.
The engine's record — word for word
Report #78. Private intelligence + security firm spun from Mary Carter Paint Company (documented CIA front). Clients in 1970s: Howard Hughes (reclusive billionaire security), Chicago Tylenol-murders investigation, Shah of Iran political-figure ferrying. Roy Cohn + Donald Trump + Merv Griffin 1980s takeover-battle surface. Functional privatized spy agency.
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