</s>104-10122-10289 CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM RELEASE IN FULL 1999 1 9 NOV 1970 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence SUBJECT : ROSELLI, Johnny 1. This memorandum is for information only. 2. In August 1960, Mr. Richard M. Bissell approached Colonel Sheffield Edwards to determine the Office of Security had assets that may assist in a sensitive mission requiring gangster-type action. The mission target target Fidel Castro. 3. Because of its extreme sensitivity, only a small group was made proxy to the project. The DCI was briefly and gave his approval. Colonel J. C. King, Chief, WH Division, was gave his but all details were deliberately concealed from any of the JMWAVE officials. Certain TSAD and Commo personnel partici- pated in the initial planning stages, but were not writing of the purpose of the mission. 4. Robert A. Maheu was contacted, briefed generally on the project, A. Requested to ascertain if he could develop an. entire into the gangster elements as the first step toward accom- placing the desired goal. 5. Mr. Mahen advised that he had met one Johnny Rossi on several occasions while visiting Las Vegas. He only knew him casually through clients, but was given to understand that he was a high-through client's member of the "syndicate" and controlled all of the ice-icing machines on the Strip. Mahee reasoned that, if Roselli was in fact a member of this clan, he undoubutedly had connections leading into the Cuban gambling interests. JFK ACT 9-29-99 RELEAS 00044

**Key Individuals and Organizations**

* John F. Kennedy
* Johnny Roselli
* Richard M. Bissell
* Colonel Sheffield Edwards
* Robert A. Maheu
* Sam Gold
* Joe
* Juan Orta
* Dr. Anthony Verona
* William Harvey
* James O'Connell

**Dates and Locations**

* August 1960: Mr. Richard M. Bissell approaches Colonel Sheffield Edwards to determine if the Office of Security has assets that may assist in a sensitive mission requiring gangster-type action.
* September 14, 1960: Robert A. Maheu meets with Johnny Roselli at the Hilton Plaza Hotel, New York City.
* September 25, 1960: Maheu is introduced to Sam Gold at the Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach.
* May 1962: Mr. William Harvey takes over as Case Officer.
* November 1967: Johnny Roselli is convicted on six counts involving illegal entry into the United States.
* December 2, 1968: Roselli and four others are convicted of conspiracy to cheat members of the Friars Club of a rigged gin game.
* February 7, 1962: The Director of Security briefs Attorney General Robert Kennedy on the circumstances leading up to Maheu's involvement in the wiretap.

**Significant Events**

* A mission is planned to assassinate Fidel Castro using gangster-type action.
* Johnny Roselli is approached by Robert A. Maheu and agrees to introduce him to a friend, Sam Gold, who knows the "Cuban crowd."
* The project is canceled shortly after the Bay of Pigs episode.
* Dr. Anthony Verona is considered as a potential candidate for the mission but is never fully exploited.
* A technician involved in the assignment is discovered and arrested.
* Prosecution against Maheu is dropped.

**Evidence, Testimony, or Findings**

* The Office of Security produces six pills of high lethal content.
* Joe delivers the pills to Orta, who attempts several times without success.
* Dr. Verona requests $10,000 for organizational expenses and communications equipment.
* Johnny Roselli is convicted on six counts involving illegal entry into the United States.
* Roselli and four others are convicted of conspiracy to cheat members of the Friars Club of a rigged gin game.

**Connections to JFK, the Assassination, or Related Investigations**

* The mission planned to assassinate Fidel Castro using gangster-type action.
* Johnny Roselli's activities with the Agency are mentioned in connection with the assassination investigation.

RFK Declassified Files

00344430_memo_for_dci_re_roselli_104-10116-10003.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search