The State - News from May 30, 1986

A San Clemente woman, stunningly turned out in a black and white outfit and white felt hat, testified that accused spy Jerry Whitworth and his wife showered her with lavish gifts and $6,600 in loans. Celia Vanderpool, a teaching specialist, said she was introduced to Whitworth in 1979 by a boyfriend. The Whitworth wedding was a posh affair attended by John Walker, the admitted organizer of the Walker family spy ring that Whitworth, 46, is alleged to have served, Vanderpool said. Up to Whitworth’s arrest in May, 1985, she said, he and his wife, Brenda, would take her to the finest restaurants where “the sky was the limit.” “Jerry had this one habit that was fun,” the witness said. “He would keep stopping by and replenishing my liquor cabinet.” Vanderpool said Whitworth lent her about $6,600, mostly in cash. The government is trying to prove in the San Francisco federal court trial that Whitworth lived far beyond his means--on money paid to him by the Soviet Union.