Nixon official J. Stanley Pottinger dies after revealing Deep Throat's identity

J. Stanley Pottinger, who served as a high-ranking official in the Department of Justice during the 1970s, passed away at the age of 84 in Princeton, New Jersey. His death on Wednesday was due to cancer, as confirmed by his son Matt. Pottinger was notable for being one of the few individuals in government to determine the identity of Deep Throat, the mysterious figure who provided critical information during the Watergate scandal. In a grand jury investigation led by Pottinger in 1977, a pivotal moment occurred when he witnessed the testimony of W. Mark Felt, the deputy director of the FBI under Nixon. During the proceedings, a juror posed a question that prompted a visibly uncomfortable reaction from Felt, solidifying Pottinger's suspicions about Felt's secretive role in the investigation. Pottinger recalled that Felt's demeanor gave him insight into his identity as Deep Throat, a fact that he conveyed in later interviews. His contributions to understanding the Watergate scandal as both a government official and a novelist highlighted the complexities of political intrigue and the pursuit of truth within the government. The legacy of Pottinger endures as a reminder of the importance of transparency and accountability in public service, especially relevant as recent discussions continue about governmental ethics and whistleblowing.