University of Virginia Library

Microphone
Bugs Visitors

An electric eavesdropping device
found at the meeting of the Board of
Visitors Friday has been sent to the
Federal Bureau of Investigation laboratory
in Washington D.C. for analysis.

The "bug" according to W. Wade
Bromwell, Director of Security, is "a bit
of wire and a small microphone with a
transmitter in it." He said that it appeared to be
a home-made device.

Mr. Bromwell has not let anyone see the
device for fear it would hamper the investigation.
Along the same lines of reasoning, the
University authorities who know of this
mystery have also refused to release any
information.

The only official statement released about
the device was issued Friday by Frank Rogers,
Rector of the University. He said:

"Today the Board of Visitors of the
University of Virginia discovered that an
electric eavesdropping device had been attached
to the underside of the table in the board room
in Pavilion VIII. It apparently was operative
during much of today's meeting of the Board
and possibly during previous meetings held in
that room. An investigation is underway."

The "bug" dropped to the floor midway
through the meeting Friday, according to one
person who was present. The meeting began at
10 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m.

The visitor's board room in Pavilion VIII has
three doors and two windows. According to
Jeanna Bailes, a secretary whose office is across
the alcove from the board room, one of the
windows has an air conditioner in it and one of
the doors is always locked because a board
room chair always blocks it.

Mrs. Bailes said she is generally aware of
who comes and goes through the board room
doors. When she leaves at 5 p.m., she locks the
doors to the room.