Ware was a Communist Party (CP) official working for the federal government in Washington, D.C.[3][4] The first known meeting of the Ware Group occurred in late 1933 with eight members: John Abt, Henry Collins, Alger Hiss, Victor Perlo, Lee Pressman, Nathaniel Weyl, and Nathan Witt.

"[2][5] The Ware group started among young lawyers and economists hired by the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA).

Bentley testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) regarding those Soviet spy rings of which she was aware.

[3][5] During August 1948, the only remaining member who continued to face serious investigation was Alger Hiss, who was convicted in January 1950 on two counts of perjury.

"[4] Packer also noted that "Hiss obliquely recognizes the fact of the Ware group's existence, but relies on the post-trial testimony of Pressman to establish that he was not a member.

"[4] Such inquiry has not occurred to date, though in 2011 Thomas L. Sakmyster's book Red Conspirator about J. Peters included extensive discussion about the Ware Group.