Irvin C. Scarbeck

Irvin Chambers Scarbeck (born May 8, 1920) was a US State Department official who was convicted of giving information to Polish UB (secret police) during the Cold War after he became involved in a romantic affair with a Polish woman and was blackmailed by Polish intelligence agents. His case was the first prosecution under Title 50 783(b) of the Subversive Activities Control Act. His case also prompted a modification of the Espionage Act of 1917 to allow it to be used outside U.S. territory.

History Scarbeck was a student at City College of New York and New York University. He served in the United States Army from 1942-1946 and became a staff sergeant. In 1956, he went to work at the State Department, where he won an award for meritorious service.