MEMO: REQUEST FOR AGENCY ASSISTANCE IN THE DEATH OF JOHN ROSELLI
Agency: CIA
Originator: CIA
From: BRENEMAN. ASSISTANT GENERAL COUNSEL
To: THE RECORD
Document date: 08/25/1976
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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104-10213-10020]

L CRET SENSITIVE.

..25 August 197t.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE RECORD

FRO:A:

Gary M. Brenewan

Assistant General Counsel

SUBJECT:

Request for Agency Assistance in the Death of John Rosselli

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

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

(WYashir.ston Post, 25 August 1976, p. 125, 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 unanthorized

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 August, in the offices 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 Mike Epstier

of the Committee Staff. Present for par. of the reeting 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 host,

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 follow's:

1. Ramon Don Eestevez Dominguez (deceased by shooting) - born

2 May 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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#l. Rolando lasferrer Rojas (deceased by bombing) - boin

12 January 1918.

111. Luciano Nieves (deceased by shooting).

1v. Jose De La Torriente (deceased by shooting).

V. Jose Quistana - born 3 October 1945; reportedly a nephew by

marriage to Rosselli.

vi. Jaoquin Antonio Cortizo - born 10 January 1945.

vil. Manola Artimes (the detectives specifically asked where he is

nOw).

vill. AM/LASH - his identily and presert whereabouts.

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

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

9 December 1970 memorandum discussed in paragraph 4 of

this memorandum.)

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

provide on the following individuals whose citizenship is unknown but who

are probably U.S. citizens.

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

he reportedly lives in the Watergate Apararents and is a friend

of Maheu, Rosselli and Shimon. They wanted to know if he had

any connection with the Castro assassination plots.

11. Edward Morgan - a D.C. altorney who has reportedly represented

Black, Shimos, Rosselli and Maheu.

til. Joseph Shimon - identified in the Senate Select Committee Report

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

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

tionship.

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

follows:

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

Senate Select Committce Report?

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di. Allo is "t 1ª and what is ine name of the i

i-Castro group

boil of which are mentioned on page 89 of the Report?

Ji. Did larvey actually pay Rosselli $2, 700 to deiray the Cuban

expenses as mentioned on page 84 of the Report?

iv. Why was Rosselli approached instead of Giznicana or soneone

else?

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

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

vi. Why was all contact with Rosselli stopped in 1965? ...

vil. Would it be possible for them to tall to the man or men who

served as Chief of Ssation in Miani during 1960 to 1965?

visi. Could they tall to the current Chief of Statica in Miami?

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

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

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

may have been involved in Rosselli's death ar that Cuban agents

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

4. Rick Inderfurth presented the undersigned with two classified meino

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

the détectives. One is a 9 December 1970 memorandum to the DCI fron the

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

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

attached.

5. The undersigned ade absolutely no commisments with respect to any

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

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

reached a! Thcir motel, Tel. 521-1900, Room 610. Following that they can be

reached at the sheriff's office in Miami at (305) 547-7156.

AtEs.

SECRET SOUSINE

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