<span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>

Richard Woolsey is a fictional character on the series Stargate Atlantis and Stargate SG-1 played by Robert Picardo. Woolsey is a former NID agent deeply concerned with civilian oversight of secret military operations.

Woolsey was assigned to investigate Stargate Command after a deadly rescue mission to P3X-666. Under the direction of Vice President Robert Kinsey, he reviewed SGC missions with a critical eye and presented his case to President Hayes believing the program's leadership had placed Earth in grave danger. The investigation led to General George Hammond's replacement at the SGC by Dr. Elizabeth Weir, a civilian Robert Kinsey thought would be easier to control.

Woolsey eventually came to realize the part he'd played in Kinsey's power play and delivered information from General Hammond to President Hayes that implicated Kinsey in illegal activities. Hayes was then able to force Kinsey to resign and Woolsey proved himself to be genuinely concerned with what is right. However, he'd already made his enemies.

Woolsey moved on to the International Oversight Advisory where he represented the United States. He often represents the IOA to the SGC. In "Prototype", he was assigned to interrogate Khalek but proved to be out of his depth. In "The Scourge" he joined other representatives of the IOA on a visit to the Gamma Site where they wound up on the run from flesh-eating alien insects. Following Daniel Jackson's conversion into an Ori Prior, he was given the task of informing him of the IOA's decision to end his life. Again, his plans were thwarted as Daniel transported him back to Earth.

On Atlantis he was sent to review procedures but his report proved meaningless as the IOA was unable to make any decision that would make them culpable in anything that went wrong in Atlantis. When Dr. Weir was replaced by Samantha Carter, Woolsey was sent to evaluate her leadership. In typical Woolsey manner, when his fears and conservative nature got the better for him, he attempted to take over command, lacking confidence in Carter's choices which ultimately proved correct ("The Seer").