---
category: PROMIS Scandal
summary: Lawrence's investigation quickly expanded beyond the software to follow a
  drug trail.
tags:
- Person
- PROMIS
- CIA
- DoJ
---

[Scott Lawrence](/people/scott-lawrence/) is a [U.S. Customs](/organizations/us-customs/) internal affairs investigator from Boston. He became involved in the investigation of the [PROMIS Software Scandal](/events/promis-software-scandal/), initially focusing on [Peter Videnieks](/people/peter-videnieks/), a [U.S. Customs](/organizations/us-customs/) contract specialist detailed to the [DOJ](/organizations/department-of-justice/) in the early 1980s for the development of the [PROMIS](/programs/promis/) software.[1]

Lawrence's investigation quickly expanded beyond the software to follow a drug trail. His deep-cover drug investigation was code-named THE INDO-CHINA PROJECT, operating on the Maine/Canadian border. However, his probe was abruptly shut down after he and his supervisor, John (Tim) Kelly, requested to impanel grand juries in several states to depose officials from the [CIA](/organizations/central-intelligence-agency/). The [DOJ](/organizations/department-of-justice/) declined this request, and [Peter Videnieks](/people/peter-videnieks/) was never charged with any wrongdoing.[1]

Despite the obstruction, Lawrence is noted as one of only two investigators who remained in law enforcement after directly or peripherally investigating the alleged theft of the [PROMIS](/programs/promis/) software and its connections to high-level organized crime, drugs, and money laundering.[1]

---

[1] Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.