Who is Tom Richardson from By the Rivers of Babylon and what is their importance?

An American Air Force Colonel, Tom Richardson is an attaché on the peace mission. He is introduced early on, when he meets with Teddy Laskov to discuss the flight details of the two Concordes. Though it is not confirmed until near the end of the story, Richardson has sold the details of the flight and radio frequencies to Ahmed Rish for one million dollars before the hijacking, and another million afterwards.