MEMO: REQUEST FOR AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN THE DEATH OF JOHN ROSSELLI
Originator: CIA
From: BRENEMAN, GARY M.
To: MFR
Document date: 1976-08-25 00:00:00
Document type: PAPER - TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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Heleased under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection act of

1992 (44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW

65990 Date: 10.29-2021

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L CRET SENSITIE

25 August 1976

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

FROM:

Gary M. Breneman

Assistant General Counsel

SUBJECT:

Request for Agency Assistance in the Death of John Rosselli

1. Senator Gary l%. Hart (D-Colo.) has involved the Senate Select

Committee on Intelligence in the investigation of the murder of John Rosselli

(lashir.gten Post, 25 August 1976, p. 425, copy attached). In addition, the

Director has met with Hart and stated that the Agency would cooperate in the

investigation of Rosselli's death within the bounds of its charter and its

statutory charge to protect intelligence sources and methods from unauthorized

disclosure.

2. At the request of the Committee, Mr. Tom White, OLC, and the under

signed met with two homicide detectives from the Dade County sheriff's office

at 12: 30 p.m., 24 Augast, in the ofäces of the Committee in the Dirksen

Building. The two detectives were Julio O. Ojeda and Charles Zatrepalek.

Also present at the meeting were the following individuals: Paul Daly and

Carlton Burrell of the FBI and Mike Madigan, Rick Inderfurth and Nike Epstien

of the Connittee Staff. Present for part of the weeting were Bill Miller, Staff

Director of the Committee, and Charles Kirkow of the Committee Staff.

3. The Agency officers explained that they were there to determine how,

within the Agency's charter, they could provide assistance to the detectives

in their investigation and to receive their questions and then pursue the answers

within the Agency. The detectives asked for help in the following areas and

. their questions break down into three basic categories.

A. First, they would like to know whatever the Agency knows

about certain Cuban nationals, some deceased and some still alive.

They are as follows:

1. Ranon Don Festevez Dominguez (deceased by shooting) - born

2 tiay 1936 or 5 February 1936; reportedly a boat manufacturer

who was able to go in and out of Cuba on a regular basis.

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ji. Rolando Ilasferrer Rojas (deceased by bombing) - born

12 January 1918.

iii. Luciano Nieves (receased by shooting).

iv. Jose De La Torriente (deceased by shooling).

v. Jose Quintana - born 3 Oclober 1945; reportedly a nepher by

marriage to Rosselli.

vi. Jaoquin Antonio Cortizo - born 10 January 1945.

vii. Manola Artimes (the deteclives specifically asked where he is

пош).

vili. AM/LASH - his identily and preser.! whereabouts.

ix. What are the names of the three Cubans mentioned in the

Rosselli testimony? (Tivo of the three names are in the

9 December 1970 memorandum discussed in pzragraph 4 of

this memorandum.)

B. Secondly, they asked for whatever information the hgency could

provide on the folloving individuals whose citizenship is unknown but who

are probably U.S. citizens.

1. Fred Black - identified as a lobbyist involved with Bobby Baker,

he reportedly lives in the Watergate Afaricents and is a friend

of Mabeu, Rosselli and Shimon. They wanted to kaow if he had

any connection with the Castro assassination plois.

i. Edward Morgan - a D.C. attorney who has reportedly represented

Black, Shimoz, Rosselli and Maheu.

3i1. Joseph Shimon - identified in the Senate Select Committee Report

on Alleged Assassination Plots at page 81 as "a friend of Rosselli

aid Giancana." They wanted to know if he had any CIA rela-

tionship.

C. Third, they ask a number of general questions which are as

follouss:

1. Whe is the Cuban who provided the speedboat mentioned in the

Senate Sclect Committce Report?

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• $

ii. Who is "B-* and whatis the name of the inti-Castro group

both of which are montioned on page 89 of the Report?

lii. Did Harvey actually pay Rosselli $2, 700 lo defray the Cuban

expenses as mentioned on page 84 of the Peport?

iv. Why was Rosselli approached instead of Giancanz or someone

else?

V. Did the Agency do a background check on Rosselli o: Giancana

and, if so, could they have access to it?

vi. Why was all contact with Rosselli stopped is 19552

vii. Would it be possible for them to tall: to the man oi seen who

served as Chief of Siation in Miami Juring 1950 to 1965?

viti. Could they talk to the current Chief of Station in Miami:

ix. Would it be possible for the detectives to talk to James P.

O'Connell, a retired senior Office of Security employee?

J. Does CIA have any evidence that the Cuban Intelligence Service

may have been involved in Rossclli's death or that Cuban agents

were in the Miami area zt the time of his death?

1. Rick Inderfurth presented the undersigned with lva classified meno

randa and stated he thought they shou'd be declassified and made available lo

the détectives. One is a l December 1970 memorandum to the DCJ from the

• Director of Security, Subj: "ROSSELLI, Johnny." The second is a blind memoi!

randum dated 9 August 1976, Subj: "Johnny Rosselli," Copies of both are

attached.

5. The undersigned made absolutely no commitments with respect to any

of the requests except to the one relating to interviewing the current COS Miami

and I said no lo it. The delectives will be in town until Saturday and can be

reached a: their notel, Tcl. 521-1900, Room 610. Following that they can be

reached at the sieriff's office in Miarsi at (305) 547-7456.

Gary 19. Benchan

li

48о то ого лс

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