The Untold Truth Of Jack Parsons

As far back as when Jack Parsons and his collaborator had relocated from the Caltech labs (which they had damaged) to the canyon, the FBI had been watching them. As stated by Wired, there were concerns that political extremists might try to use the explosives. Years later, they revoked Parsons's security clearance because they feared he himself was a political extremist (via the New York Post).

As rockets and jet propulsion went from an eccentric hobby to something financed by the U.S. military, Jack Parsons' personal life became a matter of national importance. As stated in "Strange Angel," he was investigated by both local and national authorities many times. The FBI began collecting data on Parsons, and they referred to his "religious cult, believed to advocate sexual perversion" at The Parsonage. During the anti-communist fervor of the Red-Scare, the FBI temporarily revoked Parsons's security clearance because they believed he had communist connections. He was also accused of espionage, and though he was found not guilty and regained his security clearance, he never worked in science again.

Unable to find work in his field and having lost his fortune to Hubbard, Parsons found himself having to work odd jobs. As noted by Vice, he pumped gas and repaired cars until he secured work in Hollywood, doing pyrotechnics for films.