Cartha Dekle DeLoach (July 20, 1920 – March 13, 2013), known as Deke DeLoach, was associate deputy director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the United States. During his post, DeLoach was the third most senior official in the FBI after J. Edgar Hoover and Clyde Tolson.
DeLoach was born July 20, 1920, in Claxton, Georgia, the only child of Cartha Calhoun DeLoach. His father, a merchant, died when DeLoach was ten years old. He attended Gordon Military College, South Georgia College and Stetson University.
In his book, âÂÂThe Secrets of the FBIâ national security journalist Ronald Kessler reported an incident in which a highly placed congressional staffer believed that DeLoach attempted blackmail using derogatory information from the agency's files.: <blockquote>Roy L. Elson, administrative assistant to U.S. Sen. Carl T. Hayden, experienced [FBI blackmail] first-hand. FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover wanted an additional appropriation for the new FBI building on Pennsylvania Avenue. Elson had reservations about the request, but Cartha D. âÂÂDekeâ DeLoach, one of the FBIâÂÂs top officials, met with him and âÂÂhintedâ that he had âÂÂinformation that was unflattering and detrimental to my marital situation and that the senator might be disturbed,â Elson told me for my book.
âÂÂI was certainly vulnerable that way,â Elson said. âÂÂThe implication was there was information about my sex life. There was no doubt in my mind what he was talking about.âÂÂ
Elson suggested that they both tell Hayden, who headed the Senate Appropriations Committee, about his affair.
âÂÂBring the photos if you have them,â Elson told DeLoach.
âÂÂAt that point,â Elson recalled, âÂÂHe started backing off ⦠He said, âÂÂIâÂÂm only joking. Bullshit,' â Elson said. âÂÂI interpreted it as attempted blackmail.âÂÂ</blockquote>
DeLoach retired from the FBI in 1970, going on to become Vice-President for Corporate Affairs at Pepsi.