JFK Assassination System Identification Form 4/27/201 Agency Information AGENCY: FBI RECORD NUMBER: _ 124-10280-10177 RECORD SERIES: HQ AGENCY FILENUMBER: CR 87-41245-742 Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: LENIHAN, JOHN P. TO: DIRECTOR, FBI TITLE: DATE: 01/04/1960 PAGES: 88 SUBJECTS : ‘NRO, ASSOC, EMP, ANTI-CASTRO ELEMENTS, B/F INT, . ARMS ACT, CUBA, EB, TRIAL, INDICTMENTS DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: Confidential RESTRICTIONS: Consulted; 4 CURRENT STATUS : Redact . DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 04/09/1998 . f, OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE, APPROVAL OF INS COMMENTS : RPT, TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1A, REFERRED TO INS - v9.1 Docld: 323022740 Page 1
a seria ret irae SMa SE HOSA NL ke et soggy Ot COLDER ORR ae Sus in fe \ er. #394) : an _— ____GUNFIVEWWHIAL _ | STOLEN PROPERTY - MAJOR THEFT JAN 41960 | 8/24-12/21/59 < JOHN P. LENIHAN mim. CHARACTER OF CASE - in - BERNARD J.~EZHAYA; INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF | Reports SA JOHN P. LENIHAN, 8/25/59, 9/9/59 and 9/10/59, Miami. . Report SA EDWARD KINZER, JR., 8/10/59, Chicago. OeSaeaty on One “Pe / copie fef27x | : ./. -COpIE@ MADE, DATE/244<°B | | " ~ FOR REVIEW\AT FRING Aau/OR Creiven ~ cHTcAGO TO HSCA RE\REQUEST DATED a..-nneam SHECAGOs (SEE BUFILE\62-117290), ~ Will advise the Pittsburgh Office if the driver of MANNARINO's car, JAMES LOCKHART, should be interviewed. - 6 . . + . } ‘copies made f OO a ‘ a ¢ ‘PTS / "COPIES DESTROYED 21 NOV 23 1972 copies madg ° Ar 4 for review at FBIEQ by | ee Buffle 762-117290) nena poem 7§_ requests. & ~/pureau (87-4145) : “SEE PAGE "A" FOR COPIES 2 - Miami (87-8756) / : en 0900 te Lirrtenr oa - Yds bs 5% (7 fen! ON 7 ROX OV: a ~N, NFORMATICN CONTAINED OTHERWISE ‘ Docld: 323022740 Page 2?
MM 87-8756 Wu weer 108 the INFORMANTS On August 21, 1959, RICHARD B. JAFFE, PSI, advised SA GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., that NORMAN ROTHMAN, 3 ‘manager of the Biltmore Terrace Hotel, Miami. Beach, Florida, had been associated with some anti- CASTRO elements in the Miami area and they were discussing placing a half million dollar price on the head of CASTRO's associate, WILLIAM ALEXANDER MORGAN. PSI added that ROTHMAN and others discussed having an American crime syndicate sign a contract to effect the assassination of MORGAN on behalf of the Dominican dictator TRUJILLO, who would furnish the money. ROTHMAN told PSI that he had purchased dynamite for some people in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, who had been responsible for blowing up several Cuban airplaines at the Miami International. Airport- recently. ROTHMAN did not disclose the identity of the "crime syndicate" he referred to but he deseribed it as "the organization." . ROTHMAN added that "the organization" does not : desire to take over gambling in Cuba in the event CASTRO : is overthrown but they do desire to obtain business con- cessions and franchises. ROTHMAN added that he personally ,. expected to receive a hundred thousand dollars for a share in the contract to assassinate MORGAN. On August 24, 1959, JAFFE advised SA LEMAN L. STAFFORD, JR., that ROTHMAN told him that he is .in solid with the MANARINO gang in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and * would be able to obtain money to assist in toppling the government of FIDEL CASTRO in Cuba. On August 31, 1959, JAFFE advised SA STAFFORD | , that ROTHMAN wag in the process of obtaining a VU. S. passport for the purpose of traveling abroad. ROTHMAN did not disclose his destination, ‘date of departure, ~ itinerary or purpose of the trip. f é On September 18, 1959, MM 6354s : advised SA GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., at Miami, that EDWARD BROWDER . , claimed he had paid $25,000.00 each for two boats that looked as though they were former LSTs and which' were docked at Nuta's Boat Yard, 1884 N.W. North: River Drive, Y Xu) * ~~ _COVER PAGE. No D. . CONFIDENTIAL. Docld: 32302740 Page 4
“MM 87-8756 COW WDE; HiAl Miami. The informant advised that a professional revolutionary named PAUL HUGHES had recently transported a B-25 airplane to the Dominican Republic for BROWDER. (3) U ) The informant added that an Italian consul, identity unknown, in the Dominican Republic, serves as a contact man for BROWDER in the Dominican Republic. BROWDER maintained that the "Mafia" is putting up the money for the purchase of guns which BROWDER is obtaini for the anti-CASTRO group with whom he is dealing CY uU BROWDER refers to contacts with ROTHMAN (wht is probably NORMAN ROTHMAN), MEROLA (who is probably JOE MEROLA) and BOOTH (who is probably BROWDER's attorney, RICHARD BOOTH, or the father of RICHARD BOOTH, an attorney named JOHN PARKHURST BOOTH). BROWDER also indicated to the informant that he is interested in disposing of a large quantity of stolen Canadian bonds and mentioned that thirty million dollars worth of stolen bonds are involved. BROWDER is considering fencing these bonds in Cuba. He - indicated the bonds are concealed in various places out- Side of Miami but he has not stated where or in whose custody. The informant added that he had been living at BROWDER's residence periodically and in BROWDER's s absence, had searched BROWDER's apartment but could find no bonds or ther data that might assist in locating the bonds.() UN On September 23, 1959, the informant advised that on September 19, 1959, BROWDER and his wife, LILLIAN MARTIN BROWDER, accompanied by other persons, departed from Miami on a forty-foot boat named "Saleo," piloted by CHARLIE and RAY CARVER, brothers, of Miami, The group - landed in the boat at Cuba on the morning of September 22, 1959, BROWDER and the other members of his party using fletitious names. The Cuban police searched the. boat and found a load of machine guns and ammunition and as a con~ sequence, BROWDER and the CAR brothers were arrested by the Cuban National Police. ( alw/, On September 27, 1959, MM 635-S telephonically contacted SA GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., and related that the BROWDERS had been released by the Cuban authorities but he did not know the eirecumstances of their release. MM 635-S has not been heard from since that time and it tu) ~ COVER PAGE. go CONFIDE N iAL Docld: 323022740 Page 5
ae appears he is pr bably permanently living in Cuba at the present time. ( AL): On Octobe 13, 1959, PCI CHARLES W. HORMEL advised that he heard the prominent Tampa, Florida, and. Havana, Cuba gambler. (and Pop hoodlum), SANTOS TRAFFICANTE, had recently left Miami and the PCI believed he may have: stayed at the Biltmore Terrace Hotel. The PCI. stated TRAFFICANTE was allegedly in Miami looking for men to assassinate FIDEL CASTRO. fhe PCI. added that-he heard Major WILLIAM MORGAN, CASTRO's close associate, was. in Miami for a few days during the previous week and allegedly was” brought into the. United States by ED BROWDER.. On September il, 1959, BROWDER placed a telephone call from a boat to the home of JUSTO CARRILLO, Vice President of the National Bank in Cuba and advised that BROWDER and: his Cuban companion would be leaving Miami on that. date for Cuba. BROWDER has hopes of negotiating these bonds through this bank. MM 635-S i hed this data to SA. -DAVIS September 23, 1959. Bus” , On Septembér , 1959, General MANUEL BENTTEZ of 60 Palmero Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida, contacted SA GEORGE E. DAVIS, JR., at the Miami Office. Amofig other * ' things, he confidentially advised that NORMAN ROTHMAN has an interest in the Biltmore Terrace Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida, in addition to. ‘being manager of this hotel. s° : On September 28, 1959, General MANUEL BENITEZ ; voluntarily came to the. Miami Office and contacted SA .- DAVIS on a very confidential basis. Among other infor- - mation he-furnished, he stated NORMAN ROTHMAN, manager. of the. Biltmore Terrace Hotel, is supposed to provide a .souree for guns through American gangsters, these. guns. to be used in an effort to overthrow the FIDEL CASTRO Government in Cuba. COVER PAGE. Fo OS CONFIDENTIAL Doclda: 32302240 Page 6
‘JPL: flt \ MM, 87-8756 CONFIDENTIAL suggested that Major PEDRO LUIS DIAZ LANZ be interviewed about this case and also about EFREN PICHARDO, Bureau airtel to Miami dated August 20, 1959, _ On August 16, 1959, Major PEDRO LUIS DIAZ LANZ former Inspector General of the Cuban Air Force, confidentially advised SA WILLIAM A, WIGHTMAN, that he recognized the photograph of EFREN PICHARDO as an individual who had served some time in jail in Cuba on suspicion of counterrevolutionary sympathies, but who he believed is now released from jail and is probably now residing in Cuba, On September 21, 1959, PEDRO LUIS DIAZ LANZ, former Chief of the Cuban Revolutionary Air Force, who resides at | 120. Northwest 7lst Avenue, confidentially advised SA WILLIAM A, WIGHTMAN that he knows as of several months ago EFREN RUDOLPHO PICHARDO was still in Cuba. LANZ stated he knows. nothing about any Canadian bonds in the possession of | PICHARDO or anyone else. LANZ further advised he has never heard of EDWARD BROWDER . oo, fo On December 10, 1959, SA ROBERT JAMES DWYER contacted MM 639-S regarding RENE RAYNERI, It will be ‘ ‘ noted that BROWDER made several long distance telephone ‘ calls from his apartment to RAYNERI in Cuba in late 1958 and early 1959. MM 639-S 1s well acquainted with | 'RAYNERI.. He stated that in early 1959, RAYNERI was made ‘Ambassador for Cuba in El Salvador or San Salvador. The informant advised SA DWYER that about three months ago informant received a letter from RAYNERI inviting him to - &@ social function in El Salvador. Insofar as the informant: knows, RAYNERI is probably still in El. Salvador, The informant stated in the event RAYNERI came to the Miami area, informgnt would know about it and promptly contact . On October 21, 1959, former PCI HAROLD SAM KAWAS, ~ a Miam1 bondsman, stated that about July, 1959, SAM KAY, & Miami Beach Shylock, wanted to buy 22 million Cuban pesos. COVER PAGE. 7 - & | 7 _ CONFIDENTIAL DocId: 32302240 Page 7
"MM 87-8756 “bu JPL: j1t/mim JIN) Moun tink Report of SA EDWARD KINZER, JR., dated August 10, 1959, at Chicago, set out a ‘lead to have MM 660-PC recontacted for any. Mapas FGAGY /Apfprmation he might possess on this case. i On September 23, 1959, MM 660-PC advised ' SA HURST that he has no additional imformation regarding this case. MM 660-PC said from conversations overheard, it - appears that the identity of the Government witness against MANNARINO and ROTHMAN who appeared before the Federal Grand Jury, Chicago, is unknown to MANNARINO and ROTHMAN, but. they would like to learn the identity of any witness. PC said no threats have been overheard against any witness and it is the opinion of MM .660-PC that no retaliation would be made against any witness, as apparently SAMMY MANNARINO and ROTHMAN became involved in this bond deal on their own. . Miami Western Union records referred to in this report were made available to SA LENIHAN by Z..F. KEATHLEY, Manager of the Western Union Office in Miami. HOGAN's phone records referred to in this communication were made available to SA LENIHAN by JOAN MONAHAN, Service Representative of the Southern ‘Bell Telephone and ‘Telegraph Company, at Coral Gables, Florida. COVER PAGE, Wy, CONFIDENTIAL. o- onon ease ee DocId: 32302240 Page 8
mi na CONFIDENTIAL JPL: Jit KAWAS stated in looking for 22 million Cuban pesos, he was referred to ED BROWDER and a West Palm Beach bondsman, who bonded out ED BROWDER on this case, whose identity KAWAS did not recall. BROWDER claimed he had access to 22 million pesos. When BROWDER heard that KAY was the buyer who wanted them, BROWDER wanted no part of the deal. The confidential source abroad who furnished the information regarding HICKMAN being in Switzerland is Legat, Paris, which information is contained in Legat, Paris letter dated November 18, 1959, as well as Bureau airtel dated December 8, 1959. -<e) On November 5, 1959, HENRY LOVERN, Investigator for Florida Sheriff's Bureau at Tallahassee, cerephonically - stated that he has lost one of his sources close to FLOYD HOLTZAPFEL. LOVERN did add that he still has some © coverage on HOLTZAPFEL and recently HOLTZAPFEL has been telling’ many of his associates and creditors that he is now working on a big deal. HOLTZAPFEL maintains that if he is able to consummate this deal, he will repay all his .creditors and have a sizeable amount of money left - a ~ for himself, and planned on going to Brazil to live there . the rest of his life. LOVERN added that HOLTZAPFEL * was recently convicted in local court in Miami, and is now appealing this conviction. o LOVERN stated that HOLTZAPFEL is ‘currently closely associated with a man named JACK JOSEPH CRANE, who comes from West Palm Beach and who LOVERN states is now painting 7 a house across. the way from HOLTZAPFEL's home. -LOVERN - \ stated he did not know whether or not HOLTZAPFEL was still closely associated with BROWDER, On December 10, 1959, PSI JAMES P. DOWRICK, confidentially advised SA JAMES D, HAYES that ROTHMAN had told him that he was going to take a “trip to Yucatan, Mexico, to locate a site for a base of operations in order - to attempt to overthrow the CASTRO government in Cuba. COVER PAGE.  #B. GFP -Y¥/2¢S- 742 Docld: 32302240 Page 9
—_— OS EDrFo4 {Fi v. 3-3-59) ‘S . ‘ ; ‘ sgt - _U, .fED STATES.DEPARTMENT OF  sTICE FEDERAL: BUREAU OF INVEST IGATION: CON aT J? DENIAL 1 - USA, MIAMI 1 - USA, CHICAGO 1 - USA, ALBANY 1 - USA, NEW HAVEN Copy tor 1 - USA, BOSTON 1 = USA, SDNY 1 - USA, PORTLAND 1 - USA, PITTSBURGH oe . 1 = USA, WASHINGTON, DC Report of SA JOHN P. LENIHAN Ofte: © MIAMI Date: m JAN 4 1960 Field Office File #: 87-8756 ‘Bureau File # §87-41245 me BERNARD J. EZHAYA; ET AL Character: ‘ «INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF STOLEN PROPERTY - MAJOR THEFT Synopals; FERRARA's former girl friend, LYNN FREDERICK, is willing to testify against him at New Haven trial. BROWDER's ex= cellmate, CURTIS BARFIELD, does not want to testify. BROWDER and wife LILYAN allegedly made a trip to Canada in 10/59. BROWDER's new trial date set for 1/18/60 in Miami. BROWDER's associate, PAUL BERT HICKMAN, allegedly jailed in Switzerland in early 12/59. PICHARDO came to FBI Office 11/24/59 accompanied by BROWDER's attorney, RICHARD BOOTH, ‘ and BOOTH stated PICHARDO did not desire to discuss matter. _ Mrs. DOLLYE TOMLINSON residing at 4535 N. Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla., im Summer of 1959. RABIN was arrested when leaving this residence 7/2/59. MANNARINO identified as being at Sea Gull Hotel, Miami Beach, around Christmas, 1958. RUBY LAZARUS, aka Ruby Straus, well known around Sea . Gull Hotel, Miami Beach. Gre) SPF MAGS DETAILS: AT MIAMI, FLORIDA H>o1z26 FAT YY ee Classified by 52% 2IRAGCC_ 1. BE FERRARA PHASE Declassify on: OADR (7,25: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED EX@EPT WHERE SHOWN OTHERWISE woPo £7 -Y¥12¥S5~- 7Y2- This document contatns neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; St and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. t CANCINCNTIAL Docld: 323022740 Page 10
f : “hy . . Z oe . : ° 1 87-8756 . CONFIDEN \AL an ‘On December 4, 1959, BROWDER appeared ‘before U. S. District Judge EMETT C. CHOATE, at ‘which time he- pleaded not guilty on this-new indictment and trial date was set for January 18; 1960. ~BROWDER's attorney, RICHARD BOOTH, requested the Judge to clarify the condition of - BROWDER's bond, which stipulated that BROWDER was to get permission from the Judge to leave the jurisdiction of ~~ the court. BOOTH desired to know whether the Judge meant _BROWDER had to stay within the limits of the Southern District of Florida or the continental limits of the United States. Judge CHOATE stated his intention was that BROWDER had to stay within the continental limits of the United: . States and if BROWDER wanted to leave the country at any time, written permission should be obtained from Judge CHOATE. At the hearing on December 4, 1959, BROWDER explained that he had a license from the U. S. Treasury Department to deal in surplus planes and plane parts, and in order to utilize this license it would be necessary for him to travel to various points in the United States where surplus materials were being exhibited and auctions held, - La 7 On December 10, 1959, a confidential source abroad advised the Miami Office that BROWDER'’s close associate, PAUL BERT HICKMAN, was in custody at Bern, Switzerland ‘in a connection with illegal arms traffic and gold smuggling. This source added that BROWDER might go to Bern, Switzerland to assist HICKMAN.(¢) . On December 10, 1959, Assistant U. S. Attorney DAVID C. CLARK was advised that BROWDER might make a trip to Bern, Switzerland. He stated that in the event BROWDER did . make the trip to Switzerland without getting permission from? the Judge, he desired to be advised of this. Mr. CLARK stated he was not sure what the Judge might do,if anything, in the event BROWDER made the trip to Bern without getting written permission from Judge CHOATE. — —" 19, CONFIDENTIAL gary FYe Docld: 32302240 Page i1
-_ : y . a . fr “ i MM 87-8756 Gunriveiv tL ‘learn. anything from her daughter about stolen Canadian bonds, she would promptly contact the FBI Office. ' Mrs. HUBER added that her daughter, Mrs. CORINNE ~ YOUNG, has presently an unlisted telephone number , CA 1-0716. : Miami, Florida newspapers reflected that AUSTIN YOUNG was convicted by a Cuban court, sentenced to thirty years in jail in Cuba, escaped from jail a few days after his conviction, but was rearrested in a downtown Havana hotel a few days after his escape. 0 “7 j i P _RE_PAUL, weaNrcouy YEAS Avy . tEo On November 28, 1959, a confidential source abroad advised the Miami Office that efforts to locate HICKMAN in Switzerland have been unavailing. This source stated.-that HICKMAN had registered at the Grand Hotel Dolder in Zurich, on May 28, 1959, that he visited Basel, Switzerland on that same date, that he visited Zurich on July 20, 1959, and that he was believed to have been in Lugano, ‘Switzerland on July 23, 1959.(e) - | | a ra On December 7, 1959, Mrs. PAUL BERT HICKMAN was telephonically contacted by SA JOHN P. LENIHAN, She stated her husband is still in Switzerland, and can be contacted care of Ducatal A. G., 77 Bahnhofstrasse, zurich, Switzerland. She added HICKMAN travels considerably. Mrs. HICKMAN asserted ‘that her husband's return date to the United States is uncer- tain,but estimated it would be at least two months hence. On December 8, 1959, Mrs. PAUL BERT HICKMAN was reinterviewed at her residence. She stated her husband is still in Switzerland, so far as she knows, although she has not heard from him for a few weeks. She added tht he is there working on a deal whereby HICKMAN and some of his 34, CONFIDENTIN, pg. yous ve Docld: 323022740 Page 12
fs - | f) associates, probably BROWDER included, will buy gold bars, in Mexico and fly the gold from Mexico to Switzerland, where they have a ready market for it. Mrs. HICKMAN added that her husband seems to be quite enthused about this matter, tells her it is a legitimate enterprise and that it will be very lucrative. She related that HICKMAN never does confide in her about the details of any deal he is working on, and adds that she knows very few of his associates. She claims she -was in Zurich with HICKMAN from May to August, 1959. Mrs. HICKMAN added. during that time HICKMAN never mentioned — any Canadian bonds to her and never indicated he was anxious ‘to contact any American authorities for any reason at all.. She stated while HICKMAN was in Europe on this trip, he was constantly travelling and for that -reason she did not: have a ‘lot of personal contact with him. She pointed out she -spent part of her time with her son, daughter-in-law and grandson in an Army base in Bordeau, France. She pointed out at the present time she is somewhat worried about HICKMAN, because she has not heard from him for a week or two,. pointing _ out the last time she heard from him he was in bed with a bad case of the flu in Switzerland and she was concerned that * he might be seriously ill. As indicated above, on December 10, 1959, a © confidential source abroad advised the Miami FBI Office that PAUL BERT HICKMAN was in custody at Bern, Switzerland in connection with illegal arms traffic and gold smuggling. This source stated HICKMAN was in touch with EDWARD BROWDER, JR. and that BROWDER might go to Bern, Switzerland to assist HICKMAN . (e) 3S. DocId: 32302240 Page 153
EDtos (Fv. 3-3-58) a re |, cFED STATES.DEPARTMENT OF _ STICE FEDERAL: BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION: CONFIDE; AL , i Nt 1 - USA, MIAMI 1 - USA, CHICAGO | 1 - USA, ALBANY 1 =~ USA, NEW HAVEN Copy to: 1 - USA, BOSTON 1 - USA, SDNY , 1 = USA, PORTLAND 1. = USA, PITTSBURGH a . 1 = USA, WASHINGTON, DC Report of SA JOHN P. LENIHAN Ofc: MIAMI Date: ™ - JAN 4 1960 Field Office File #} = 87-8756 . ‘Bureau File #: 9741245 Tiles BERNARD J. EZHAYA; ET AL Character: INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION OF STOLEN PROPERTY - MAJOR THEFT ‘Synopsi-ERRARA' 8 former girl friend, LYNN FREDERICK, is willing to testify against him at New Haven trial. BROWDER’s ex- cellmate, CURTIS BARFIELD, does not want to testify. BROWDER and wife LILYAN allegedly made a trip to Canada in 10/59. -BROWDER's new trial date set for 1/18/60 in Miami. BROWDER's associate, PAUL BERT HICKMAN, allegedly jailed’ in «+ Switzerland in early 12/59. PICHARDO came to FBI Office k 11/24/59 accompanied by BROWDER's attorney, RICHARD BOOTH, and BOOTH stated PICHARDO did not desire to discuss matter. _ Mrs. DOLLYE TOMLINSON residing at 4535 N. Michigan Avenue, Miami Beach, Fla., in Summer of 1959. RABIN was arrested when leaving this residence 7/2/59. MANNARINO identified as being at Sea Gull Hotel, Miami Beach, around Christmas, 1958. RUBY LAZARUS, aka Ruby Straus, well known around Sea . Gull Hotel, Miami Beach. Gre) SPF MAOWSE DETAILS: - AT MIAML, FLORIDA #H>1 726 9-9 779 ~~ Classiffed by seibsyfecl hi [8S J, BE FERRARA PHASE Declassify on: OADR ; ae iuesessecerpurenantnpcicasnessensianiiatiacetamicimen meneraes tia ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED — | HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFTED a EXGEPT WHERE SHOWN — i OTHERWISE . This document. contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; St and its contents are not to be distributed outs ide your agency. PANTINCAITIAL Docld: 32302240 Page 14
d ra a oY = MM 87-8756 User tne TAC mm “The file also reflects that after several hear- ings on the matter the Judge still upheld his stand that ‘BROWDER should be granted a new trial. _ On November 24, 1959, PICHARDO appeared at the — FBI Office in Miami accompanied by Attorney RICHARD BOOTH. BOOTH is the attorney for BROWDER. BOOTH explained to - SA JOHN P. LENIHAN that he is the attorney for PICHARDO, stated that PICHARDO is now residing in Miami, and stated PICHARDO’ did not want to discuss any phase of the BROWDER case with Agents of the FBI. - | __ SA LENIHAN detemmined after meeting PICHARDO, that he is identical with FBI #641798B. On November 24, 1959, Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) Investigator JOSEPH THURMAN, advised that INS had a case on PICHARDO. He related that PICHARDO came in- through Customs at Key West, Florida on November 22, 1959, claimed to be an American citizen and was readmitted on that “ basis. A search of his luggage, however, disclosed a Cuban Air Force uniform. For that reason, the INS had an investigae .- tion underway to determine if PICHARDO had actually served in , the Cuban Air Force, in which case PICHARDO would have lost his citizenship. THURMAN stated PICHARDO apparently was going to deny having served: in the Cuban Air Force, and had engaged . Attorney RICHARD BOOTH in order to hold his status as a naturalized American citizen. Mr. THURMAN stated that a:‘hear- ing was set in the PICHARDO matter for December 4, 1959, but it was likely that this hearing would be postponed by the INS to give them more opportunity to investigate the matter further. Sl, CONFIDENTIAL DocId: 32302240 Page 15