FBI informant inflated facts in effort to publish book

I loved this story from my old Houston suburban neighborhood, about some pathetic dweeb -- described as an "FBI operative," which means what, exactly? Was he an FBI agent, or just an informant? -- inflated reports in order to attract a book contract as well as wreak revenge on a handsome astronaut. My favorite quote:

"He said his wife was tired of supporting him. He didn't have any income. If I couldn't get a book sale quick or a movie contract, he was going to have to go back to work and he wanted to write for a living."

How well I know that feeling.