</s>104-10303-10012 CAA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM 3 6 CY 370 RELEASE IN FULL 1938 MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence JFK ACT SURJECT : ROSFLLI, Johnny 09-30-98 RELEASE 1. This memorandum is for information only. 2. In August 1960, Mr. Richard M. Bissell approached Colonel Sheffield Edwards to determine if the Office of Security had assets that may assist in a sensitive mission requiring gangster-type action. The mission target was Fidel Castro. 3. Because of its extreme sensitivity, only a small group was made privy to the project. The DCI was briefed and gave his approval. Colonel J. C. King, Chief, Chief of Division, WH briefly, was briefed, but all details were deliberately concealed from any of the JMWAVF officials were deliberately TSD and Commo personnel partici- patched 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, and requested to ascertain if he could develop an entire into the gangster elements as the first step toward accom- fishing the desired goal. 5. Mr. Mahenu advised that he had met one Johnny Roselli on several occasions visiting Las Vegas. He only knew him casually through clients, but was given to understand that he was a high-ranking member of the "syndicate" and controlled all of the ice-making machines on the Strip. Mahee reasoned that, if Roselli was in a member of this clan, he undoubtedly had connections leading into the Cuban gambling interests. 00044

Summary:  
This document details a 1960 CIA operation involving Johnny Roselli, an organized crime figure, aimed at assassinating Fidel Castro. Richard M. Bissell approached Colonel Sheffield Edwards to identify assets for a sensitive mission targeting Castro. The plan involved using lethal pills administered through food or drink, with intermediaries like Sam Gold and Joe facilitating contact with Cuban officials such as Juan Orta. Dr. Anthony Verona was considered as an alternative operative but the project was canceled after the Bay of Pigs incident. Robert F. Kennedy was briefed by the Director of Security regarding Maheu's involvement in a wiretap operation related to Dan Rowan, leading to a dropped prosecution. Later, Roselli faced legal issues including deportation proceedings and fraud convictions in 1967-1968.  

Key People:  
- Richard M. Bissell (CIA official)  
- Colonel Sheffield Edwards (Office of Security)  
- Robert A. Maheu (operative involved in planning)  
- Johnny Roselli (organized crime figure, contact for the mission)  
- Sam Gold (intermediary in Cuban connections)  
- Dr. Anthony Verona (potential operative for the mission)  
- Robert F. Kennedy (Attorney General briefed on Maheu's wiretap case)  

Key Locations:  
- Las Vegas (meetings between Maheu and Roselli)  
- New York City (Hilton Plaza Hotel, meeting with Roselli)  
- Miami Beach (Fontainebleau Hotel, meeting with Sam Gold)  
- Havana (Cuban gambling interests, Orta's connections)  

Key Events:  
- 14 September 1960: Meeting between Maheu and Roselli to discuss the Castro assassination plan.  
- 25 September 1960: Introduction of Sam Gold to Maheu in Miami Beach.  
- Bay of Pigs incident (project cancellation).  
- 7 February 1962: Robert F. Kennedy briefed on Maheu's wiretap case, leading to dropped prosecution.  
- 1967–1968: Roselli convicted for illegal entry into the U.S. and fraud related to the Friars Club.  

Key Organizations:  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Office of Security (CIA division involved in planning)  
- JMWAVF (Joint Multinational Warfare Advisory Group, referenced in document context)

RFK Declassified Files

00367934_memorandum_for_dci_re_ros_104-10140-10397.pdf

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