Blackwater's owner builds spy firm

WASHINGTON, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- Security analysts say the U.S. company that owns Blackwater is one of a growing number of firms offering spy services to the government.

The Prince Group, owned by Erik Prince, who formed Blackwater Worldwide, now is building Total Intelligence Solution, The Washington Post reported Saturday.

Total Intel, as the firm is known, has assembled former high-ranking spies from the CIA to muster intelligence about foreign regulations and global political developments, the Post reported.

"They have the skills and background to do anything anyone wants," said R.J. Hillhouse, author of a security blog called The Spy Who Billed Me. "There's no oversight. They're an independent company offering free-lance espionage services. They're rent-a-spies."

Total Intel's chairman is Cofer Black, the former head of counter-terrorism at the CIA, and its chief executive is Robert Richer, a former CIA associate deputy director of operations.

"Cofer can open doors," said Richer. "I can open doors. We can generally get in to see who we need to see."