SUBJECT - JOHNNY ROSELLI

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Records Related to the Assassination of Senator Robert F. Kennedy
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00367932
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: June 6, 2025
• Document Release Date: June 12, 2025

104-10303-10010 SUBJECT: 1 r Johnny Roselli en-tr..AN VA IMMO!. REVIEW PROGRAM fillt 1998". 1. 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. 2. 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, WH Division, was briefed, but all details were deliberately concealed from any of the JMWAVE officials. Certain TSD and Communications personnel participated in the initial planning stages, but were not witting of the purpose of the mission. 3. Robert A. Maheu, a cleared source of the Office of Security, was contacted, briefed generally on the project, and requested to ascertain if he could develop an entree into the gangster elements as the first step toward accomplishing the desired goal. 4. Mr. Maheu advised that he had met one Johnny Roselli on several occasions while 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. Maheu reasoned that, if Roselli was in fact a member of the clan, he undoubtedly had connections leading into the Cuban gambling interests. S. Maheu was asked to approach Roselli, who knew Maheu as a personal relations executive handling domestic and foreign accounts, and tell him that he had recently been retained by a client who represented several inter- national business firms which were suffering heavy financial losses in Cuba as a result of Castro's action. They were convinced that Castro's removal was the answer to their �1* E2 IMPDET 00012 CL BY 000988 ts.t.11 problem and were willing to pay a price of $150,000 --.) efor its successful accomplishment. It was to be made 'clear to Roselli that the United States Government was not, and should not, become aware of this operation. 6. The pitch was made to Roselli on 14 September 1960 at the Hilton Plaza Hotel, New York City. Mr. James O'Connell, Office of Security, was present during this meeting and was identified to Roselli as an employee of Maheu. O'Connell actively served as Roselli's contact until May 1962 at which time he phased out due to an overseas assignment. His initial reaction was to avoid getting involved, but through Maheu's persuasion, he agreed to introduce him to a friend, Sam Gold, who knew the "Cuban crowd." Roselli made it clear he did not want any money for his part and believed Sam would feel the same way. Neither of these individuals were ever paid out of Agency funds. 7. During the week of 25 September, Maheu was introduced to Sam who was staying at the Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach. It was several weeks after his meeting with Sam and Joe, who was identified to him as a courier operating between Havana and Miami, that he saw photographs of both of these individuals in the Sunday supplemental "Parade." They were identified as Momo Salvatore- Giancana and Santos Trafficant, respectively. Both were on the list of the Attorney General's ten most- wanted men. The former was described as the Chicago chieftain of the Cosa Nostra and successor to Al Capone, and the latter, the Cosa Nostra boss of Cuban operations. Maheu called this office immediately upon ascertaining this information. 8. In discussing the possible methods of accomplishing this mission, Sam suggested that they not resort to firearms but, if he could be furnished some type of potent pill, that could be placed in Castro's food or drink, it would be a much more effective operation. Sam indicated that he had a prospective nominee in the person of Juan Orta, a Cuban official who had been receiving kick-back payments from the gambling interests, who still had access to Castro, and was in a financial bind. 60013 LU f kt 9. TSD was requested to produce six pills of high lethal content. 1 r 10. Joe delivered the pills to Orta. After several weeks of reported attempts, Orta'apparently got cold feet and asked out of the assignment. He suggested another candidate who made several attempts without success. 11. Joe then indicated that Dr. Anthony Verona, one of the principal officers in the Cuban Exile Junta, had become disaffected with the apparent ineffectual progress of the Junta and was willing to handle the mission through his own resources. 12. He asked, as a prerequisite to the deal, that he be given $10,000 for organizational expenses and requested $1,000 worth of communications equipment. 13. Dr. Verona's potential was never fully exploited, as the project was canceled shortly after the Bay of Pigs episode. Verona was advised that the offer was withdrawn, and the pills were retrieved. 14. Of significant interest was an incident which involved a request levied by Sam upon Maheu. At the height of the project negotiations, Sam expressed concern about his girlfriend, Phyllis McGuire, who he learned was getting much attention from Dan Rowan while both were booked at a Las Vegas night club. Sam asked Maheu to put a bug in Rowan's room to deter- mine the extent of his intimacy with Miss McGuire. The technician involved in the assign- ment was discovered in the process, arrested, and taken to the Sheriff's office for questioning. He called Maheu and informed him that he had been detained by the police. This call was made in the presence of the Sheriff's personnel. Subsequently, the Department of Justice announced its intention to prosecute Maheu along 3 00014 r ! [31.41.e" ..... with the technician. On 7 February 1962, the Director of Security briefed the Attorney General, Robert Kennedy, on the circumstances leading up to Maheu's involvement in the wiretap. At our request, prosecution was dropped. 15. In May 1962, Mr. William Harvey took over as Case Officer, and it is not known by this office whether Roselli was used operationally from that point on. 16. It was subsequently learned from the FBI that Roselli had been convicted on six counts involving illegal entry into the United States. Our records do not reflect the date of conviction, but it is believed to have been sometime during November 1967. 17. On 2 December 1968, Roselli, along with four other individuals, was convicted of conspiracy to cheat members of the Friars Club of $400,000 in a rigged gin rummy game. 18. Mr. Harvey reported to the Office of Security of his contacts with Roselli during November and December 1967 and January 1968. It was his belief that Johnny would not seek out the Agency for assistance in the deporta- tion proceedings unless he actually faced deportation. Roselli expressed confidence that he would win an appeal. 19. On 17 November 1970, Maheu called James O'Connell, Roselli's first Case Officer, to advise that Vaheu's attorney, Ed Morgan, had received a call from a Thomas Waddin, Roselli's lawyer, who stated that all avenues of appeal had been exhausted, and his client now faces deportation. Waddin indicated that, if someone did not intercede on Roselli's behalf, he would make a complete expose of his activities with the Agency. 20. On 18 November 1970, Mr. Helms was briefed on the latest development in this case, and it was decided that the Agency would not in any way assist Roselli. Maheu was so advised of the Agency's position, and he was in 4 SERET 60015 ! j - (Y:8 CI�LY complete agreement with our stand. He further advised r that he was not concerned about any publicity as it affected him personally should Roselli decide to tell all. 21. Subsequently, Roselli or someone on his behalf furnished Jack Anderson details of the operation. Attached are two Anderson columns dealing with this matter. 22. The last known residence of Roselli was the Federal Penitentiary in Seattle, Washington. Attachments � f 00016 I tr- 00017 r r 'The ',1:INItingtou _lierry--Go-Round THE WASHING-Ill I POST .siN44.,- J. /S. 19:1 6 Attempts to Kill Emir� Laid to CIA. kesses of the Central ToteIBA i :off a general uprising, which nation. the CIA enlisted I-t h- :dashes to secret landing spots � ;;ence Agency is the story of: the Ccatartnist militia would .ert Maheu, a former 1-.'1:on the C'.11`.2:1 coast. Once, Bo- � isix aiz�assination attempts-t, .. 1.1 d . .b� -h.:agent with shadowy contat . 1::elii's boat was shot out from - v :aainst Cuba's Fidel Castro. t..a.e... a more t .01, .e p or ' " 5 � who had handled other und- t 'ender Ni I 2' ;down Without the charismatic!- i For In years. only a few key cover assignments for the CSI For the first try, the CIA: ?.:� I !people have known the terrl- Castro to lead them. out of his Washington publi. ._ �ie-t 1 'u-ned Roselli -xith special- i I ble secret. They have sworn' Alter' -the first attempt i relations office. He later suison capsules to stip into: f i never to talk. Yet we have!"ilea. five more assassination ! !moved to Las Vegas to head t 'astro's food. The poison was - - ;learned the details from! :up billionaire Howard Hughes' - ,pposed to take three .lays to I ms ;sources vi.-icse credentials aree were sent to Cuba. The, It - 3 - " : Nevad.a operations. . '.. -. By the time Castro died. :"....eyond question. 'last team � reportectfy made it; . Mabeu recruited .1_ohn Ro-...�-.. system would throw off all � We spoke to John McCone.!to a rooftop within shooting sell! a ruggedly handsome-ft: t �:s of the poison, so he I ,who headed the CIA at the !distance of Castro before they, 71aTraler with contacts In both f v!,.� �d appear to he the victim itirne� of the assassination at- i were apprehended. This hap-the American and Cuban uni of 2. n atur31 if mysterious ail- 'tempts. He acknowledged the!pened around the last of Feb-derworlds. to arrange the �as-t me, t . , � i idea had been discussed Inside *,ruart orfirst of March. 1963. i gassinat ion. The dapper. haWk! . R.-t -li arranged with a the CIA but insisted it had! - Nine'snonths later. Presi-; faced Roselli. formerly -./Tiii--� Cuba.% related to one of Cas- ; !been "rejected Immedildent ..Kennedy was gunned4ried to movie actress. � June ,:tro's . � -fs, to plant the deadly !ately." He vizorously 'denied:clown 'Iti.Dallas by Lee Harvey i Lang. was a power -hi the !pellet. - the dictator's food. ithat the CIA had ever particilOswald;'..; fanatic who pre-fmovie industry until his con-!on M. - -. 13. 1961, Roselli de- . i paled in any plot on Castro's :viously had agitated for Casdviction with racketeer Willie 'livered � - capsules zo ht3 con; !life. Asked whether the at-:tro in New Orleans and hadIBioff in a million-dollar Holly-tact at : - ..:It; M i Beach's glamor- . tempts could have been madelmade a mysterious trip to the; wood labor shakedown. The!ous Fon a nehleau lloteL twita - his knowledge. he re-:Cuban Embassy In Mexicol CIA assigned two of its mosti A am. i .-f we later, just ;plied: It could not have hap-:City.. . . , ',trusted operatives. Wilikarn f av-euuut._71-.ht erne for the �ipened."- and James (Big Jim) !plot to .. .-- been tarred out, -.�-� � 1 -Among Also-. �e pritr, tO-tbe�Harvey i We have comptete confi-CIA conspiracy, there is still a.O'Connell, to the hush-hush!a rept,. .t:t of Fa...2,1 said !dence. h.o Iv ev e r, in our; n a g g i n g suspicion�unsup.; murder mission. Using phony iCastro � : ill. ilu'. ;:e re- sources. 1 r !ported by the Warren Com�; names. they accompanied Ro-lcovered -4.-:ore the Ra of Figs : The plot to knock off Castro i rnission's � findings�that Cas-:selli on trips to Miami to line; in,askul . � %pm r. began as part a the Bay �Ciro became aware of the U.S. up The assassination teams. i Four n� -- � attemnts were :Pizs ope: .'tun The intent was! riot upon hr.e tif-- and �Arlo- - The.full s:ory reads like lite madp %,rt _-..�t70-5 :!f.�. .10 e;i:r!!7!.. -0--e ektban dirta- - itilW 7..-1 rt:iten tea'. : ,.:: - .ta-- ,_. ; ' "7 �: h Ja:nes .50nd movie. 7 .,:.a-::- .�-� U.:� %.ter..ts .. :at. ., -- ,. By fuck Anderson or isefore the rnoliey invad- late ap!nst President � -n- comp.ete with secret tryIts� at ers Landed on the island. Theirinedy. :giittering MI31111 Seach hotels- - Locked In the darkest re-.! arrival was expected to touch To set up the Castro as: - 0-!and :a id night pov.-efooat 60018 � T 7:e 11::-C;1;n21an Dv Ictie . - 7/1 fr.7 ;i s, TETE WASHiNGTON POST r � 7 0 A --T T-47 �n71.47 -- 0.1"-' - -4- -r: :-. '+-i" -. 1 .0 f �� :/ A.-: y (4_, a ::-Ii 4_,:/-- J 1Z.i 1 Ci:i Iti .l.../ -It. A. -- i iab 1,�: F.,.'rert '2�!aheu. a for- lio.7-0.1i :;-i. desil�:- -�7-...r. -..; s-.:."!. :-.�-:- :�.77..-. �:'.!. �:-,:cr IZIi a::-,n:. who 3'i I. -cap:It:its which he t:-.: i�����.-::+ .�-�-�:?�� � :0 � Ta :r**-V-P:4-' r''' 'I n "n t." to us that he had handled un-,' thro;:.�-la a re:a:ire of Ca-o...; S.-":? ..1:-.1 ;':.:.::���"! 5:': -Central 1E-J.:Ili:cacti At�ca�:y� , . . . ! . Cr .15.5ic.nments for the !chef to plant in the dic:a.ar s. Harvey s 3 :...! ::�! had a irecruifrd to asvissinate Cliba s CIA. Ile refused. however. to :food. Later. mar`F.smen armed � s:ard"..fcir Re;.:.iti :...-,:l r-tIleri :Fidel Ca,�+rn 11:1- hcen laid up d� saes; t'le clezailc. This is the with ht;:h-po�.verefi Belgian ri-� the Friar::: Ci4h cese a --ntim � in the 5it-(' 1vard of the Lr.s'..tne Maheu incidentally. au:10111es attempted to infiltrate irap." Sail Harvey: -The - An:cies Caunty !ail. 'is rta,m involved in a legal bat-: close enou;h to gl:n Castro:Friar's Ciuh int-lict_ment He is hac.rne- -::atyk-r:.ced ' t:e over chardom billionaire i'da�.vn. . !rho::. Rese!li had r:o tri.:,:a to John Boielli. r:nce a da:frunel Hotvard litr-f-.es Nevada oper- I AU told six assassination at- � - figure around Hoil:,-.vood andi,tions. � do with :hat than 1 !tempts were made. the iast in i Recent.3 ix-y .1ers zr.. x. ien-;f t it.ti-! .,. now ' ne3 T --h ' � - Las Veg33. now a graY. 435�1 Rocent was so flattered over !the spring of 13 .. . hro-, -, trytng to get cierrytncr for year-old inmate with a respira-lbeing asked to perform a se-tout this period. Ftoselli worked ':heir client, citing cm:- str.ries tor/ ailment 'rret mis th S. sion for e U gov-runder the d hi irect superaision-rtiout s secret CiA ?:-.!rvic Confidential F3i file d ";;;aent that hi. paid all his ;o wo secret CIA 3 7.entS, ti(y '��:-�� 33 -Zt ttsf) Algia irl'�.-,pensel- out of his otrn :lien Harvey and James atiV Fire:irms 1:E:::.:0 � . tire" who watched over --the' pocket and risked his neck to:Jim) O'Connell. i concealed interests in Las:land the assassination teams: ... i . Under pressure from the Vegas casinos of the Chicago:on the Cuban coast. *Roz.zelli's Reward � - - �Ifirearms lobby. the Treasury underworld." l ' In James Bond fashion. he The FBI which got %rind oi,Department has failed to en- Roselli has admitted to i held whispered meetinas in the assassination plot, has!force a vital section of the ; frienrls that he was a runt run-Miami Beach hotels with Cu- tried to pump Roselli for in-ii943 I ner durinz the Roarina T.A..-er-.1:�.ns willinz to make an it 1.s:illation. But he was swarn � rederaaw l as firea . _s nt. ities. Operatin4 The t w ensed eter alone. the .::-3St'tt...1Pt on Castro's life. Once. to sr.enee by the CIA. ant! t:p. - - !Coast. he :earned how to evade' he called on Chicago racket to this moment, he ha3n-t -0:0.,;:le murders of Sen. Robert !Coast Guard cutters and P0-. boss Sam Giancana to line up ken it � Nennedy and Dr. 'Martin Lu- i i _ ie.. ... , 'lire patrols. !a - 'contact. The confidential :11.an-white. the justice De., ...er min?, It authorizes the I His name later becsme+ files report that Giancana had ;part:lent. as part of its crazTreasury Secretary to require. %-; lirt;:ed with the b!:"�zest natriesi!-: ;ambling interest and an in- down on organized crima.;fult reports of r.11firearr.is and in the Chiezzo rato1-9SA;I:e�:treit:in the shrimp business :tried to nail ',Iowa' The F3i.anarnunition sales. . lea underworldi... He atao.. d -e' I veloped contact.s in the..Cuhan lot.� . ..in -Cuba.". However. the Chi-ldiscovered that his-..Chica'oi ganester took no ciirectIbirth records had been forged ..law . has For the two years that .-.:-.. been in force. t:',...� I 'under-Ave:lip:fore Castro. .O3 part in the assassination ptot. !that his name was reallY Ft.:Treasury Department. has....iz- lover the Havana gamblizi; ca-1 Roselli made midnight ; Hoots Sacco and that he had ;flared Oils ',tr.)" ProvIstan. ..--- I He had the right back- assassins in twin powerboats. i Italy as a child. He was con-,4 has compiain.e:i. isinos. - dashes to Cuba with his hiredicome to this country horn :-.--un inthls1:-/ Once a Cuban patrol ship Ivicted for failing to register would be a hook:�:ee.a:n_.: ;ground for a hush-hush mis-I I as :ni;htmare. 7r11:1;:- in-1541.- --As -Dart -of -the'ined boat. tore a hole in the I He was also convicted for - I The. federal ga�.-ernment., sion that the CIA : vas olan�: ,turncd ,its guns on his dark-jan alien. i � , . ;Wilieh-�.voulci have to compi'e � B2:: iti t :7' :1--"t"�*4' CIA '�,:tf zni $.1nt: V:01vaat- So-irrnariracv to ''C( 171r,i'5 all 1)11' ".�ea e313- las - - - :-.7.�-�:::: �`!:: ....a.51:0 .:::1:1; Foli was f;.;.....d out et the �at 'Los An-.: - � - :. � � ���,-- rel.w�alt. to l'ip-...v.i � :..- ,...,..es ear.usae . - .. � � ' � lieave Cunillzattsrless. , � � � ' � - .. � � 5:7.11' nv.i:mn it -.1-outlei %-:.F.r. � -7 1 y.' ate: zy tn.., ot.ser zr.at. which .1-riar's Cluh. i, .... ... I Ili .4:5 Neel: ccr.":170.;"e:.; anti staf. ta ...... . . .. i - - c' rap?: into the s....alaws. ! Of Reses two CIA aslo- ' . I In earlier columns. we re-I eiates. Harvey has now retired 1:-....:1 z'����= rir'2�Innis flies.. i .F.elitras rs.zruiti�ci for the; ported how the CIA furni;he�!. - to Indiant:po:ts and O'Cannell: . :-......,-.:..;--;;..1---:-.- -- : _ . a ' 0019 -