George Christie can remember the moment he decided to quit the Hells Angels.
“I went into the outlaw motorcycle life because it was a live-and-let-live society,” the former club leader told Fox News Digital. “A lot of things had changed. I went to the meeting, and I told everyone what I was going to do. It was a very difficult decision. I said we have become the people we rebel against, and I’m leaving. It’s time for me to move on.”
Christie admitted, “I foolishly thought that because of my position at the club and the 40 years I have given them, I would be able to leave the club.” “But the main thing is that you are either in or out.”
Former undercover agent recalls Hells Angels infiltration: ‘A dangerous game to play’
George Christie speaking in the “Secrets of the Hells Angels” series. (A&E)
Christy is sharing her account in a new A&E The series, “Secrets of the Hell’s Angels,” Which examines the history of the infamous biker club. It features former chapter presidents, as well as new interviews with law enforcement officials, undercover agents, and victims.
The 77-year-old resigned his position as president of the Ventura chapter and left the club in 2011. Christie said he had become disillusioned with the club, which had turned from a brotherhood into an all-out war fighting every major outlaw bike club. United States – as well as law enforcement.
According to Christie, he was immediately ostracized by those he once called brothers. He claimed that the members were banned from talking to him again.
“I miss the camaraderie, the brotherhood. I miss the good times. I miss the bad times, too,” George Christie told Fox News Digital. (George Christie)
Christie explained, “I miss the camaraderie, the brotherhood.” “I miss the good times. I miss the bad times too. But I’m a realist. I don’t live in a fantasy world. It is what it is. I gave them 40 years of my life. I left when I thought it was the right time to do it and I feel like that’s where I need to be at this point in life.”
Organization It has a long history in California, It was founded in 1948 by returning World War II veterans in the dusty town of Fontana. This includes an infamous incident during a Rolling Stones show at Altamont in 1969 in which a spectator was stabbed by a Hells Angels security guard. A jury later acquitted the murderer, finding that he had acted in self-defense.
From left: Mick Jagger and Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones watch the Hells Angels discreetly on stage at The Altamont Speedway in Livermore, California, December 6, 1969. (Robert Altman/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
In 2011, the US Justice Department stated that the Hells Angels had 2,500 members in 230 chapters in 26 countries. According to the FBI, the Hells Angels are still listed as an outlaw motorcycle gang involved in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking.
Follow the Fox True Crime team on X
George Christie became a full-patch Hells Angel in the Los Angeles chapter in 1976. Six months later, he became that chapter’s president before founding the Ventura chapter in 1978. (Brian Chan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Federal, state and local police have stalked the club for decades, infiltrating it with undercover agents, prosecuting suspects with the harshest charges reserved for the Mafia and on charges ranging from drug trafficking to mortgage fraud. The members have been held guilty.
Nevertheless, the club has flourished over the years. It has opened chapters around the world and aggressively enforced its trademarks in court. It has also won high-profile acquittals and other legal battles with law enforcement.
As the only child of a family of Greek immigrants in Ventura, Christy grew up fascinated by motorcycles. Despite his father’s objections, he bought his first bike, a 1957 Panhead, in 1966 for $200. He soon found himself gigging in local clubs.
George Christie said, “Some people run away and join the circus. I ran away and joined the Hells Angels.” (George Christie)
“I think America has a romance with outlaws – they always have, and they always will,” he explained. “As a little kid, I always identified with the outlaw guys. And when I got out of the Marine Corps, I was still looking for that camaraderie. I moved into the world of outlaw motorcycles and eventually with the Angels Stopped riding.”
Christy becomes a full-patch Hell’s Angel los angeles Chapter in 1976. Six months later, he became president before becoming club leader of the Ventura chapter in 1978.
“You have to make your presence known,” Christy said of what it takes to join the Hells Angels. “When I started out in the ’60s, you had to build your own custom motorcycle. It became an extension of your personality. If you had a good-looking motorcycle, most of these guys would think you were probably a pretty cool This is how I established myself. To some people it may seem abstract, but to me it was a piece of art.”
Sign up to receive true crime newsletter
“My bike was an extension of me,” George Christie told Fox News Digital. (George Christie)
The Angels have always stated that they are a club of motorcycle enthusiasts who are wrongly considered an organized crime syndicate due to the crimes of some members acting independently. The club participates in charity events, such as “Toys for Tots”, motorcycle runs and blood drives.
“When we do it right, no one remembers,” the club’s website says. “No one forgets when we do wrong.”
In the early 80s, Christie joined the trademark committee of the Hells Angels, as well as communicating with the press.
George Christie told Fox News Digital that it was important to him to communicate with the press and avoid “misunderstanding” of the Hells Angels. (George Christie)
“We were vigorously protecting our name and our logo,” he said. “…It taught me the importance of protecting your brand, your image, especially when it comes to the media….If a false story comes out, you have to respond to it. So I created Contact Los The media with The Angeles Times, The New York Times and local newspapers were trying to save our image.
Christie added, “The federal government and law enforcement want you to believe that the Hells Angels are a criminal organization.” “It’s not. It’s an organization that consists of criminals like Congress, the Senate… I can break laws with different people. But as an organization, the Hells Angels is not a criminal organization.
“The patch is like a flag. You don’t want to desecrate it, you don’t want to disrespect it. When people fly it, when people wear it, when they ride their motorcycles, they do it with pride. They do it with pride. Let’s protect it. It’s the soul of the club. You have to protect it at all times.”
Get real-time updates directly true crime center
Jay Dobbins is seen here with another undercover agent. (A&E)
The first episode of “Secrets of the Hells Angels” details undercover agent Jay Dobbins. Infiltrated Hells Angels in Arizona, Christie said it is common to question who is a “true brother.”
“You always have doubts,” Christie said. “If you see someone, and you can’t really trace their history very far, you have to ask yourself, ‘Is this person involved in FBI? ATF?
In 1997, the Ventura District Attorney launched an investigation. Christie was arrested in 2001 with a 59-count indictment. He spent a year in solitary confinement before being offered a bargain for time served.
Hells Angels Ventura Chapter President George Christie was seen in Ventura County Superior Court for a bail hearing. (Ricardo Deratanha/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
A few weeks after Christie resigned from the presidency, he said the feds “wasted no time” in indicting him for conspiracy to set fire to two Ventura tattoo shops in 2006. Christie told the court that he had never instructed anyone to burn down the two shops but would accept responsibility for “poor leadership”.
After two years under house arrest following a double hip replacement, Christie spent the next year in a federal prison in Texas. He was released from custody in 2014.
“I don’t miss going to jail,” Christy said, laughing.
Click here to get the Fox News app
George Christie shares his story in the podcast, “Speak of the Devil.” (Spencer Wayne/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Today, Christy is eager to share her story in hopes of dispelling “misunderstandings” about the Hells Angels. He has written books about his travels And currently has a podcast, “Speak of the Devil.”
He explained, “I don’t want anyone to be speculating about my lifestyle 100 years from now.” “I want to get it on record while I’m alive. If anyone wants to challenge me, I’m ready to debate them.”
“Secrets of the Hells Angels” airs Sunday nights. (A&E)
“I’m not trying to glorify my life, but I won’t apologize for it either,” he said.
“Secrets of the Hells Angels” airs Sunday nights at 10 p.m. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
