Paine Family Connections to the CIA

Much has been rumored about Ruth & Michael Paine’s ties to the CIA. Here are some facts:

According to this declassified CIA document, Ruth’s sister, Sylvia Hyde Hoke, was listed as an employee of the agency in the Falls Church, VA local directory in 1961. Ruth visited and stayed with her sister in September 1963. Ruth admits that her sister may have worked for “an outfit.”

Ruth’s father, William Avery Hyde, was an insurance executive who went to work for USAID (United States Agency for International Development), which was and is a well known cover for CIA personnel. Declassified documents show that Hyde had contacts with the CIA, which at least considered him for use in an operation in Vietnam.

Michael Paine’s mother, Ruth Forbes Paine was a friend of CIA director Allen Dulles’ mistress and fellow spy, Mary Bancroft. Michael’s mother invited Dulles and Bancroft to visit the Forbes private island (Naushon Island) near Martha’s Vineyard. The Paines were also frequent visitors to the island.

In 2017, two CIA employment applications for Ruth Paine’s brother-in-law, John Hoke were released. Hoke is the husband of Ruth’s sister Sylvia, a confirmed CIA employee.

Many of the documents are unreadable, but they seem to suggest that John Hoke was not hired by the CIA.

Hoke was an employee of USAID, like Ruth Paine’s father. USAID is often a cover for CIA personnel.