Sheila Buckley: The Nixon Secretary Charged in Watergate Cover-Up

Sheila Buckley was a secretary in the Nixon White House who got caught up in the Watergate scandal. She worked directly for Egil Krogh, a key figure in the Plumbers unit that conducted the break-in. In 1974, she became one of the few women indicted for conspiracy and obstruction of justice related to the cover-up.

How the Plumbers Unit Operated and Where Buckley Fit In

The Plumbers were a secret White House group formed in 1971 to stop leaks. They operated outside normal channels, using illegal methods like break-ins and wiretaps. Buckley served as secretary to Egil Krogh, who oversaw the Plumbers’ activities. Her job involved typing memos and handling communications for the unit. According to court records, she helped coordinate efforts to hide the group’s actions after the Watergate break-in. This placed her directly in the path of the cover-up. What happened to John Stonehouse's mistress Sheila Buckley and where … keeps a longer factual record of the subject for those who want more

She was not a high-level decision-maker. But her role gave her access to sensitive documents. Prosecutors argued she knowingly participated in the conspiracy. The case against her relied on testimony from other staffers who flipped. Buckley’s defense claimed she was just following orders. The jury didn’t buy it entirely, but the plea deal suggests some culpability.

What “Conspiracy” and “Obstruction” Actually Meant in Her Case

In legal terms, conspiracy means two or more people agreed to commit a crime. Obstruction means trying to block an investigation. For Buckley, the charges stemmed from her helping to destroy or hide documents. She also allegedly lied to FBI agents about what she knew. These are serious crimes, but the evidence against her was circumstantial. She wasn’t at the break-in. She didn’t plan it. Her involvement was in the aftermath.

Many people confuse her role with that of higher-ups like John Ehrlichman. Buckley was a low-level staffer. The law doesn’t distinguish much between levels when it comes to conspiracy. If you help cover up a crime, you’re equally liable. That’s why she faced up to 15 years in prison. In 1975, she pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of failing to report a felony. The judge gave her a suspended sentence and a $500 fine. No jail time.