So it goes. Every American knows the story of Jed Clampet and his wacky misadventures in the big city. We all laughed along with Granny that lovable old lady, and Elly May, Jed's beautiful daughter. We even laughed at Jethro, Jed's Dimwitted son. Few people know that the story of the Clampets' move to Beverly Hills was based on a real story.
A well known accountant was keeping the books for a powerful mob boss. We'll call the accountant Bill, and the mob boss Don Vienetta. Bill was a greedy man. That greed drove him to the accounting business and even to keep the books for a powerful mafia kingpin despite the obvious reprecussions. Bill's greed was his greatest asset, it took him through school and got him a partnership in a prestigious accounting firm. His greed was also his tragic flaw. Bill was very well off, even for an attorney. He had two BMW's a yaht, and a summer home in the Bahamas. This didn't stop Bill from ammassing more wealth by skimming the cream off of Vienetta. Bill realised that this practice was risky and could even endanger his life or the well being of his loved ones. When Bill's bank account reached one million dollars he decided enough was enough and it was time to enjoy his money.
Bill went to the authorities and confessed to keeping Don Vienetta's books. He told them where and who Vienetta did business with and turned over the books to the FBI. Bill, being the weasel he was, got a spot in the Federal Witness Relocation Program. The only problem the FBI had was moving all of Bill's assets without suspicion. That's when the hillbilly stradgy surfaced.
The bureau devised the clever cover of Cletus Ray Hillford. Cletus was a mountian man who came upon a crude oil spring on his property. He called in drillers and became a millionare off of the mineral rights from his property. Cletus then settled in the upscale California neighborhood of Bel Aire. The government aslo sent three crack commandos "deep cover" to protect Bill. George Marshall a Marine sniper, and Gina Smitts a trained deep cover agent. The third agent was discuised as Cletus' grandmother but under all of that make up 24 year old Jim Tucker had nerves of steel and a trigger finger to match. The "cement pond" became a reality after a bounty hunter discovered Bill's identity and was conviently declaired missing at about the same time as the Clampets were pouring their concrete swimming pool. Much of the information was changed for the television show to protect Bill's true identity but the plot was based on Bill's alter ego Cletus. This cover was very succesful and Cletus still lives in Bel Aire today.
The government can be unefficent and beuracratic but it can also work fast and effecienty if it has too. You may think that the IRS can't get you or that FBI doesn't know anything but you are very wrong. Never turn your back on a groggy bear. He may look slow but he might just be lulling you into a false sense of security, waiting to strike.