CIA papers show partnership with Mafia

Agency and Mob cooperated
in effort to kill Castro

The U.S. Central Intelligence Agency released documents today detailing its early 1960s cooperation with organized crime figures in failed efforts to assassinate Cuban President Fidel Castro, according to a Reuters story by Steve Holland and Andy Sullivan.

CIA Director Michael Hayden ordered the release of the documents, many of which had already worked their way into public knowledge.

CIA operatives actively encouraged Chicago gangster Johnny Roselli to orchestrate an attack on Castro (right). The Agency also approached Chicago organized crime boss Sam Giancana and Tampa boss Santo Trafficante. Giancana reportedly suggested the use of a poison pill.

'Secrets' witness provides Outfit history

Jurors in Chicago's "Family Secrets" trial were briefed yesterday on the history of the local Outfit by James Wagner, president of the Chicago Crime Commission, according to a story by Jeff Coen of the Chicago Tribune.

Wagner's history went back to the Prohibition Era and the reign of Al Capone. Wagner is a former FBI supervisor who spent his career investigating organized crime. He participated in investigations of the Genovese and Gambino Crime Families in New York before being assigned to study the Chicago Outfit beginning in 1976.

Wagner described the one-way membership of the organization, saying, "There are no provisions for getting out once you're in." That statement could be important to the prosecution of five accused Chicago mobsters.

"There are no provisions for getting out once you're in."

At least one defendant, Frank Calabrese Sr., could employ a statute of limitations defense. In an opening statement, Calabrese's attorney Joseph R. Lopez argued that Calabrese left the Outfit back in the 1980s.

Prosecution witness William "Red" Wemette described what Chicago businesses gained by paying the "street tax" assessed by the Outfit: "Basically it's permission to be in a business without being hurt by someone or possibly being burned down." Wemette said he split the profits from his Wells Street "peep show" business with defendant Joe Lombardo because he didn't want to have an "accident."

The other defendants in the case are James Marcello, Paul Schiro and former police officer Anthony Doyle.

Related MobNews posts:

• Opening statements at 'Secrets' trial 06-21-07


• Chicago 'Secrets' trial opens 06-19-07


• Schweihs severed from 'Secrets' trial 06-18-07


• Chicago mobster paid hush money 06-18-07


• Ratting out the Outfit 06-08-07


• Chicago mobster admits 14 killings, cooperates 05-24-07


• TV report previews Chicago Outfit trial 05-15-07


• Family Secret jurors' names secret 04-25-07


• Feds look for $500K from Lombardo 04-24-07


• Witness list of Chicago Outfit trial revealed 04-23-07


• Deputy marshal charged with aiding mob 01-13-07


• Chicago commission papers subpoenaed 01-10-07