http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20050302/ts_nm/court_spies_dc
Yes, it's okay to recruit spies, tell them you will take care of them, and then once you don't need them, use Secrecy as a shield so you don't have to pay them.
I have not read the appropriate 1875 decision, but from what is in this article, it appears that the 1875 decision was about paying heirs.
Any lawyers out there to explain this? thanks