Lear literally introduced Bob Lazar to legendary UFO journalist George Knapp, who broke the story.
Now I've spoken to Jeremy Korbel, George Knapp's co-host on the Weaponized podcast, who's made a great documentary about the story.
I respect Jeremy Korbel and George Knapp a lot.
But according to George Knapp himself, Lear may have flown planes for the CIA well into the 80s around the time he leaked the Lazar story.
At the time, Area 51 security is very aware of John Lear and know exactly who he is by Jeremy Corbell and George Knapp's own admission.
In 1989, Bob Lazar goes public with John Lear introducing him to George Knapp.
In 87, Lear leaks a story about the F-117 stealth fighter to KLAS, Knapp's news station in Las Vegas, and also gives them a bunch of supposedly top secret UFO tips.
By Knapp's own account, this information on the F-117 establishes credibility for Lear with the news station.