The Hells Angels Hold a Business Meeting in Laconia

By Mark Bevis on Friday, August 1, 2003.

listen:

An international meeting of the Hell's Angels has been gathering in Laconia.

Anywhere from 900 to 1500 representatives from chapters all over the world are expected to attend.

The secret meeting is being held about a mile from Weirs Beach at the Laconia chapter's clubhouse.

But as New Hampshire Public Radio's Mark Bevis reports, the motorcycle gang's gathering may not be what you'd expect.

THE HELLï¿½S ANGELï¿½S WORLD RUN IS A VERY PRIVATE AND VERY SECRET MEETING.

EVERY YEAR MEMBERS FROM CHAPTERS WORLDWIDE GATHER AT A DIFFERENT LOCATION.

THIS YEAR ITï¿½S LACONIA.

NOT MANY PEOPLE OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION KNOW WHAT HAPPENS AT THESE GATHERINGS.

TIM MCKINLEY DOES THOUGH.

HEï¿½S NEVER BEEN TO ONE, BUT INFORMANTS HAVE TOLD HIM ALL ABOUT IT.

MCKINLEY RETIRED LAST YEAR FROM THE FBI.

HE SPENT A QUARTER OF A CENTURY AS A FEDERAL AGENT CHASING DOWN CRIMINAL MEMBERS OF THE HELLï¿½S ANGELS.

HE HELPED PUT HUNDREDS BEHIND BARS.

HE SAYS THE WORLD RUN GATHERINGS ARE PROBABLY NOT WHAT YOUï¿½D EXPECT.

THEY ARE BUSINESS MEETINGS.

TAPE:

TIM MCKINLEY RETIRED LAST YEAR AFTER 26 YEARS IN THE FBI.

HE NOW PRACTICES FAMILY LAW IN CALIFORNIA.

THE HELLS ANGELS WORLD RUN IN LACONINA IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE THROUGH THE WEEKEND.

FOR NHPR NEWS, THIS IS MARK BEVIS.