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20
00 - META/CHANGELOG.md
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@ -1,10 +1,16 @@
- 2026-10-09T1824 · [[Wackenhut Corporation]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Robert Frye]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Michael Riconosciuto]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Wackenhut Corporation]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Cabazon Security Corporation]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[John Paul Nichols]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Arthur Welmas]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Myron S. Malkin]]
- 2026-10-09T1843 · [[Middle East]]
- 2026-10-09T1821 · [[John Vandewerker]]
- 2026-10-09T1821 · [[Fred Alvarez]]
- 2026-10-09T1821 · [[Mark Nichols]]
- 2026-10-09T1821 · [[John Paul Nichols]]
- 2026-10-09T1821 · [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]]
- 2026-10-09T1816 · [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]]
- 2026-10-09T1815 · [[Cabazon Indian Casino]]
- 2026-10-09T1814 · [[Rocco Zangari]]
- 2026-10-09T1814 · [[Peter Milano]]
@ -70,7 +76,6 @@
- 2026-10-09T1706 · [[Ian Smart]]
- 2026-10-09T1705 · [[Wayne Reeder]]
- 2026-10-09T1705 · [[Tommy Marson]]
- 2026-10-09T1705 · [[Arthur Welmas]]
- 2026-10-09T1703 · [[Shimon Yiftach]]
- 2026-10-09T1702 · [[South African Defense Force]]
- 2026-10-09T1702 · [[Shimon Peres]]
@ -78,7 +83,6 @@
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Shimon Levinson]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Shimon Lavee]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Profits of War - Ari Ben-Menashe]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Middle East]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Marana]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Syrian Embassy in London]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Sabra and Shatila refugee camps]]
@ -94,7 +98,3 @@
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[PROMIS Software Scandal]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[October Surprise]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Lockheed bribe scandal]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[PROMIS]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[Valley National Bank of Arizona]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[University of San Cristobal]]
- 2026-10-09T1701 · [[TransCapital Corporation]]

10
10 - PEOPLE/(A-G)/Robert Frye.md
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@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ tags:
- Person
- PROMIS
summary: "President of Wackenhut Services, Inc. who signed the April 1981 Wackenhut joint venture with the Cabazon Indian reservation and toured Picatinny Arsenal with John Philip Nichols in May 1981."
updated: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-09
relations:
- type: employed_by
with: "[[Wackenhut Corporation]]"
@ -18,23 +18,22 @@ relations:
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Cabazon Indian Reservation]]"
start: 1981-04
end: 1984-10
role: "signed the April 1981 joint venture agreement for Wackenhut"
fn: 1
---
A. Robert Frye was president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the [[Wackenhut Corporation]], in 1981, and represented the corporation in the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon]]/Wackenhut joint venture with [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]], the tribal administrator, which aimed to develop and manufacture arms on the reservation.[^1] The writer Cheri Seymour describes him as Executive Vice President of the Wackenhut Corporation in Indio, [[California]].[^2]
The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice states that Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded for Wackenhut when the Cabazon Security Corporation solicited capability statements from security firms in early 1981; that Frye signed the April 1981 joint venture agreement for Wackenhut and Tribal Chairman [[Arthur Welmas]] signed for the Cabazon Security Corporation; and that the joint venture had no employees at any time and "the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye."[^1] The report quotes Frye's account that he first met Riconosciuto on a trip to the Picatinny Arsenal, which Frye placed in May 1981, and states that [[Peter Zokosky]] recalled a second trip in October 1981 on which Frye met Riconosciuto.[^1]
The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice states that Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded for Wackenhut when the [[Cabazon Security Corporation]] solicited capability statements from security firms in early 1981; that Frye signed the April 1981 joint venture agreement for Wackenhut and Tribal Chairman [[Arthur Welmas]] signed for the Cabazon Security Corporation; and that the joint venture had no employees at any time and "the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye."[^1] The report quotes Frye's account that he first met Riconosciuto on a trip to the Picatinny Arsenal, which Frye placed in May 1981, and states that [[Peter Zokosky]] recalled a second trip in October 1981 on which Frye met Riconosciuto.[^1]
An inter-office memorandum from A. R. Frye to R. E. Chasen of the "S & S Group," headed "DIV/AREA: WSI" and dated May 25, 1981, reports a trip of May 11 to 22, 1981 to New Jersey, Indiana and Washington, D.C., made with Nichols. It lists three purposes: to explore the manufacture of 120 mm combustible cartridge cases and other armament activities on Cabazon land, to have the joint venture placed on bidders' lists for set-aside contracts, and to contact government agencies about the export of Munitions List items, specifically night vision goggles. The memorandum records visits to the Picatinny Arsenal with Zokosky, a meeting with the Army's R. Scott Westley and [[Dr. Harry Fair]], and a May 13, 1981 meeting with Victor Guadagno of Flinchbaugh Products, a retired colonel of the Arsenal, who said Flinchbaugh would be interested in a joint venture with Cabazon-WSI.[^3]
A letter in the Casolaro papers whose signature is not legible refers to a planned meeting with "Robert Frye, President of Wackenhut Services, Inc." to review a nitrocellulose proposal for NATO and DARPA ammunition, and states that Frye "will be privy to these conversations, as always."[^4] A Cabazon Arms letter of Arthur Welmas to a San Diego firm lists "Bob Frye" and "Dr. Myron Malkin" among the names that follow the signature.[^5]
A letter in the Casolaro papers whose signature is not legible refers to a planned meeting with "Robert Frye, President of Wackenhut Services, Inc." to review a nitrocellulose proposal for NATO and DARPA ammunition, and states that Frye "will be privy to these conversations, as always."[^4] A letter of Arthur Welmas to a San Diego firm, headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," lists "Bob Frye" and "Dr. Myron Malkin" among the names that follow the signature.[^5]
[[John Connolly]] wrote in *Spy* in 1992 that [[Eden Pastora]], who had been seen at a test of night-vision goggles at a firing range near the Cabazon reservation with Nichols and a Wackenhut executive, identified that executive, "A. Robert Frye," as "the man from the CIA," and that Pastora later said in a conversation that he did not know Frye.[^6]
In Cheri Seymour's account, Frye met with [[Michael Riconosciuto]] and Nichols at Picatinny Arsenal in May 1981, where Riconosciuto conducted a theoretical blackboard exercise on a Railgun for Dr. Harry Fair. Frye was present when Dr. Fair commented on Riconosciuto's scientific and technical knowledge, terming him a "potential national resource."[^2]
Frye suffered a heart attack in early April 1983 and was hospitalized. After this, he never traveled to California to meet with Dr. John Philip Nichols or the Cabazons again. Wackenhut Corporation's involvement with the Cabazon Joint Venture virtually ceased, and it was formally terminated in October 1984.[^2]
Frye suffered a heart attack in early April 1983 and was hospitalized. After this, he never traveled to California to meet with Dr. John Philip Nichols or the Cabazons again. Wackenhut Corporation's involvement with the Cabazon Joint Venture virtually ceased.[^2] In the *Desert Sun* of March 21, 1985, Frye was quoted as saying: "We severed our relations with the tribe over a year ago."[^7]
[[Robert Chasen]], Executive Vice President of Wackenhut Corporation in Coral Gables, stated that Frye went behind his back in facilitating the biological warfare technology project at the Indio facility. Chasen believed Frye and [[Dick Wilson]] were "dazzled" with [[Robert Booth Nichols]], despite Chasen's own distrust of Nichols.[^2]
@ -46,3 +45,4 @@ Frye suffered a heart attack in early April 1983 and was hospitalized. After thi
[^4]: Undated letter to Patrick Moriarty, Pyrotronics Corp./Red Devil/Wildcat, headed "CSC/WSI Joint Venture," Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence."
[^5]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated May 1 (year not printed) to La France Specialties, San Diego, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence."
[^6]: John Connolly, "Inside the Shadow CIA," *Spy,* September 1992, pp. 46-54. Sole source for the Pastora identification and the retraction. https://www.prop1.org/legal/prisons/92wack.htm
[^7]: John Hussar, "Crime probes tied to Nichols associates," *The Desert Sun* (Palm Springs, California), March 21, 1985, front page.

8
10 - PEOPLE/(H-M)/Myron S. Malkin.md
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@ -20,7 +20,7 @@ tags:
location: "Bethesda, Maryland"
summary: "Physicist who directed the NASA Space Shuttle program at headquarters from 1973 to 1980 after posts at Yale, General Electric, NUS Corporation and the Defense Department."
created: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-09
relations:
- type: employed_by
with: "[[Yale University]]"
@ -102,9 +102,9 @@ The Winter 1979 to 1980 issue of the [[Institute of Nuclear Materials Management
NUSAC was established in 1968 as the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation, 7777 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia, and was renamed NUSAC, Inc. by stockholder vote.[^11] A funeral-home obituary states that Lumb became president of NUSAC in 1971.[^12] The Journal lists NUS Corporation separately from NUSAC in contributor affiliations in the same volumes (for example David G. Ward, "Consulting Engineer, NUS Corporation," in 1979), and the records found do not state a corporate relationship between the two companies.[^9]
### Name in the Cabazon Arms letter
### Name in the Welmas letter
A letter over the name of [[Arthur Welmas]], president of [[Cabazon Arms]], on letterhead at 83-180 Requa Avenue, [[Indio, California]], is headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE" and is addressed to Timothy La France of [[La France Specialties]], San Diego, as "PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL." It is dated "May 1" with no year printed. It describes a planned armaments manufacturing facility on the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]] and states that "Several governments, which meet the U.S. State Department approval have stated their needs for this equipment." Names listed beneath Welmas's signature are [[Peter Zokosky]], "Bob Frye," "Dr. Myron Malkin," "Colonel Glade Flake," John James, Bruce James, [[John Paul Nichols]] and [[Wayne Reeder]].[^13] The letter that precedes it in the same folder refers to a business plan projection made in April 1982 and a staff visit "in early February with Dr. Frye and associates."[^13]
A letter over the name of [[Arthur Welmas]], president of [[Cabazon Security Corporation|Cabazon Arms]], on letterhead at 83-180 Requa Avenue, [[Indio, California]], is headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE" and is addressed to Timothy La France of [[La France Specialties]], San Diego, as "PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL." It is dated "May 1" with no year printed. It describes a planned armaments manufacturing facility on the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]] and states that "Several governments, which meet the U.S. State Department approval have stated their needs for this equipment." Names listed beneath Welmas's signature are [[Peter Zokosky]], "Bob Frye," "Dr. Myron Malkin," "Colonel Glade Flake," John James, Bruce James, [[John Paul Nichols]] and [[Wayne Reeder]].[^13] The letter that precedes it in the same folder refers to a business plan projection made in April 1982 and a staff visit "in early February with Dr. Frye and associates."[^13]
A Myron S. Malkin sat on the board of a Wackenhut-owned company in 1979 and 1980, and the Cabazon letter is headed as a "WSI" joint venture and sits in a folder labelled "Wackenhut-Correspondence." Malkin had held Defense Department intelligence-oversight posts in 1972 and 1973 and had worked on strategic missile re-entry vehicles from 1961. The Casolaro papers also hold interview notes in which a speaker refers to a "Dr. Malkin" in the context of a Department of Defense clearance (below). Records found do not establish that the Dr. Myron Malkin named on the letter is Myron S. Malkin, and no opened record places Malkin at Cabazon, with Michael Riconosciuto, or with Wackenhut after 1980.
@ -132,5 +132,5 @@ Malkin died on the Monday before October 26, 1994, of heart failure, according t
[^10]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 8, no. 1 (Spring 1979), "Wackenhut Corporation Purchases NUSAC, Inc." https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_08/V-8_1.pdf
[^11]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 1, no. 1 (April 1972), advertisement of the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation, 7777 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church (https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_01/V-1_1.pdf); vol. 4, no. 1 (Spring 1975), item on the change of name to NUSAC, Inc. (https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_04/V-4_1.pdf).
[^12]: Obituary of Ralph Francis Lumb (1921 to 2023), A. J. Cunningham Funeral Homes. https://ajcunninghamfh.com/tribute/details/2916
[^13]: Arthur Welmas, letter on Cabazon Arms letterhead, 83-180 Requa Avenue, Indio, California, to La France Specialties, San Diego, dated "May 1" (year not printed), Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^13]: Arthur Welmas, letter headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," at 83-180 Requa Avenue, Indio, California, to La France Specialties, San Diego, dated "May 1" (year not printed), Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^14]: Ted Gunderson and Michael Riconosciuto interview notes, file "Folder 7 Acc5516" (archive.org casolaro-notebooks item, file "Folder 7 Acc5516.pdf", text layer). The passage is undated in the text layer. Sole source for the passages so cited. https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks

41
10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/Dr. John Philip Nichols.md
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@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ relations:
- type: relative_of
with: "[[John Paul Nichols]]"
role: "father"
fn: 13
fn: 14
created: 2025-08-05
updated: 2026-10-09
---
@ -32,40 +32,43 @@ Nichols told [[Los Angeles Magazine]] in September 1983 that a friend referred t
### The Wackenhut Joint Venture
In April 1981 the [[Wackenhut Corporation]] entered into a joint venture with the Cabazon Security Corporation, signed by [[Robert Frye]] for Wackenhut and Welmas for the tribe's company; its stated primary purpose was to "qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts." Early on Nichols wanted the joint venture to sell night-vision equipment, and it pursued sales to representatives of Guatemala and Honduras; as far as the [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]]'s special counsel could tell, no sales were made. The venture also pursued the manufacture of combustible cartridge cases with [[Peter Zokosky]] of Armtec Defense Products, which took people from the joint venture to Picatinny Arsenal in 1981.[^1] Investigating [[Michael Riconosciuto]]'s claims for the Justice Department between 1991 and 1993, Special Counsel [[Nicholas Bua]] found that any business relationship Riconosciuto had was with Nichols or the Cabazons rather than with Wackenhut, and that no witness could "even corroborate that Riconosciuto had access to computer equipment while on the Cabazon reservation."[^1]
In April 1981 the [[Wackenhut Corporation]] entered into a joint venture with the [[Cabazon Security Corporation]], signed by [[Robert Frye]] for Wackenhut and Welmas for the tribe's company; its stated primary purpose was to "qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts." Early on Nichols wanted the joint venture to sell night-vision equipment, and it pursued sales to representatives of Guatemala and Honduras; as far as the [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]]'s special counsel could tell, no sales were made. The venture also pursued the manufacture of combustible cartridge cases with [[Peter Zokosky]] of Armtec Defense Products, which took people from the joint venture to Picatinny Arsenal in 1981.[^1] Investigating [[Michael Riconosciuto]]'s claims for the Justice Department between 1991 and 1993, Special Counsel [[Nicholas Bua]] found that any business relationship Riconosciuto had was with Nichols or the Cabazons rather than with Wackenhut, and that no witness could "even corroborate that Riconosciuto had access to computer equipment while on the Cabazon reservation."[^1]
Bua's report states that "A non-Indian man, John Philip Nichols, was the Tribal Administrator and managed the business affairs of the tribe."[^4] It states that when investigators spoke with Nichols at his home, he "was not comfortable (in light of his past criminal problems, apparently) having an extended interview without his lawyer present," and that he "was, however, willing to comment freely about Riconosciuto and the allegations he is making."[^5] The Los Angeles Magazine article of September 1983 states that Nichols "claims to be in the final stages of receiving a Defense Department clearance for building an arms-and-munitions plant," and describes this as "a claim verified by Bob Frye at Wackenhut."[^6]
On January 20, 1983 Nichols signed a letter to [[Dr. Harry Fair]] of [[Tactical Technology]], Arlington, Virginia, on letterhead reading "CABAZON ARMS" and "CABAZON SECURITY CORPORATION." The letter states: "The clearance documents that were submitted for Cabazon Arms to DOD were found to be acceptable by the Los Angeles DOD Office and have been forwarded to Washington D.C. for final approval."[^4] It describes a 9mm submachine gun, the CA 9 SMG, that "can be produced for $75.00 per unit on the reservation and sold for $100.00 to $125.00," and states: "Kuwait has been particularly interested in financing the production of the CA 9 SMG."[^4]
Bua's report states that "A non-Indian man, John Philip Nichols, was the Tribal Administrator and managed the business affairs of the tribe."[^5] It states that when investigators spoke with Nichols at his home, he "was not comfortable (in light of his past criminal problems, apparently) having an extended interview without his lawyer present," and that he "was, however, willing to comment freely about Riconosciuto and the allegations he is making."[^6] The Los Angeles Magazine article of September 1983 states that Nichols "claims to be in the final stages of receiving a Defense Department clearance for building an arms-and-munitions plant," and describes this as "a claim verified by Bob Frye at Wackenhut."[^7]
### Arrest and Conviction
The Indio police arrested Nichols in January 1985 on charges of soliciting murder; an April 1985 clipping in his [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] file described him as in state prison for diagnostic evaluation to help decide his sentence "on two counts of murder solicitation," and a later 1985 clipping reported that he was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading no contest to charges that he arranged contract murders for two people, in a plot authorities said was unrelated to tribal business.[^7] A paper submitted to a February 8, 1989 Senate hearing by the California Attorney General's office states that he pleaded no contest in May 1985 to two charges of solicitation for murder, that the intended victims were undercover Indio police officers, and that he was sentenced to four years.[^3] The FBI recorded that he had been convicted and was serving his sentence.[^8] The same file preserves a 1985 report that the California State Board of Equalization was seeking about 2 million dollars in cigarette taxes from Nichols and his son, [[John Paul Nichols]], over a reservation smoke shop run until 1980.[^9]
The Indio police arrested Nichols in January 1985 on charges of soliciting murder; an April 1985 clipping in his [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] file described him as in state prison for diagnostic evaluation to help decide his sentence "on two counts of murder solicitation," and a later 1985 clipping reported that he was sentenced to four years in prison after pleading no contest to charges that he arranged contract murders for two people, in a plot authorities said was unrelated to tribal business.[^8] A paper submitted to a February 8, 1989 Senate hearing by the California Attorney General's office states that he pleaded no contest in May 1985 to two charges of solicitation for murder, that the intended victims were undercover Indio police officers, and that he was sentenced to four years.[^3] The FBI recorded that he had been convicted and was serving his sentence.[^9] The same file preserves a 1985 report that the California State Board of Equalization was seeking about 2 million dollars in cigarette taxes from Nichols and his son, [[John Paul Nichols]], over a reservation smoke shop run until 1980.[^10]
A Federal Bureau of Investigation memorandum from the Los Angeles office, dated November 5, 1986 and captioned "Crime on Indian Reservation - Gambling," states that "John Phillip Nichols, his wife and three sons, were hired as the management personnel by the Cabazon Band." It states that Nichols was arrested by the Indio Police Department in January 1985 "on a murder charge for which he was convicted," that his wife had since died, and that the bingo and gambling parlor continued to operate in Indio, managed by a person whose name is redacted in the released copy.[^8]
A Federal Bureau of Investigation memorandum from the Los Angeles office, dated November 5, 1986 and captioned "Crime on Indian Reservation - Gambling," states that "John Phillip Nichols, his wife and three sons, were hired as the management personnel by the Cabazon Band." It states that Nichols was arrested by the Indio Police Department in January 1985 "on a murder charge for which he was convicted," that his wife had since died, and that the bingo and gambling parlor continued to operate in Indio, managed by a person whose name is redacted in the released copy.[^9]
A July 19, 1983 airtel from the Los Angeles office to the Director, captioned "PAN AMERICAN MANAGEMENT INC." and cross-referenced to Tampa file 183A-1010, is a synopsis of Los Angeles Division activity on bingo and card parlors on Indian reservations. It includes the Cabazon card parlor and the account of a loan repayment set out on the John Paul Nichols page.[^10]
A July 19, 1983 airtel from the Los Angeles office to the Director, captioned "PAN AMERICAN MANAGEMENT INC." and cross-referenced to Tampa file 183A-1010, is a synopsis of Los Angeles Division activity on bingo and card parlors on Indian reservations. It includes the Cabazon card parlor and the account of a loan repayment set out on the John Paul Nichols page.[^11]
### The Alvarez Murders
On July 1, 1981, Tribal Vice Chairman [[Fred Alvarez]], 32, his friend [[Ralph Boger]], 42, and [[Patricia Castro]], 44, were found shot to death at 35040 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. The California Attorney General's office paper submitted to the Senate Special Committee on Investigations in February 1989 states that Alvarez and two others were found dead on July 2, 1981, shot in the head the evening before.[^3] A grand jury in the mid-1980s brought no charges. After new documents surfaced in 2007, the former Cabazon security chief [[Jimmy Hughes]] was arrested at Miami International Airport on September 26, 2009, on his way to Honduras, and charged with conspiring with three other men to commit the murders to keep Alvarez from exposing alleged illegal activities by Nichols. On July 1, 2010, after Deputy Attorney General Mike Murphy said prosecutors had "lost confidence to proceed," Judge Dale R. Wells dismissed the charges. No one has been convicted of the murders.[^11]
On July 1, 1981, Tribal Vice Chairman [[Fred Alvarez]], 32, his friend [[Ralph Boger]], 42, and [[Patricia Castro]], 44, were found shot to death at 35040 Bob Hope Drive in Rancho Mirage. The California Attorney General's office paper submitted to the Senate Special Committee on Investigations in February 1989 states that Alvarez and two others were found dead on July 2, 1981, shot in the head the evening before.[^3] A grand jury in the mid-1980s brought no charges. After new documents surfaced in 2007, the former Cabazon security chief [[Jimmy Hughes]] was arrested at Miami International Airport on September 26, 2009, on his way to Honduras, and charged with conspiring with three other men to commit the murders to keep Alvarez from exposing alleged illegal activities by Nichols. On July 1, 2010, after Deputy Attorney General Mike Murphy said prosecutors had "lost confidence to proceed," Judge Dale R. Wells dismissed the charges. No one has been convicted of the murders.[^12]
[[Sam Cross]], the Indio police chief in 1981, told the FBI on October 6, 1992 that he first met Michael Riconosciuto at the home of Peter Zokosky in mid to late 1984, that Riconosciuto then talked about the murder of Fred Alvarez, and that Riconosciuto believed John Nichols Sr. was involved in it and that there would be additional murders in the future.[^12]
[[Sam Cross]], the Indio police chief in 1981, told the FBI on October 6, 1992 that he first met Michael Riconosciuto at the home of Peter Zokosky in mid to late 1984, that Riconosciuto then talked about the murder of Fred Alvarez, and that Riconosciuto believed John Nichols Sr. was involved in it and that there would be additional murders in the future.[^13]
### Arms, the Mob and the Alibi
Michael Riconosciuto described Nichols as a former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent. The writer Cheri Seymour wrote that the joint venture was formalized on April 1, 1981, as "[[Cabazon Arms]]," to manufacture arms and explosives for export under the reservation's sovereign status, with a [[Department of Defense]] secret facility clearance, and that it proposed 120mm combustible cartridge cases, 9mm machine pistols, laser-sighted assault weapons, sniper rifles, portable rockets and biological weapons; that Nichols introduced Riconosciuto to Frye, and that Riconosciuto did a railgun exercise for [[Dr. Harry Fair]] at Picatinny; and that the murder solicitation involved five intended victims and drugs and that Nichols served 18 months, his son acting as administrator. Seymour also wrote that he had done business in [[Saudi Arabia]], [[South Africa]], [[Panama]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Guatemala]], [[Mexico]], [[Chile]], [[Brazil]], the [[Netherlands]], [[England]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[Taiwan]], had managed a Coca-Cola bottling plant in São Paulo in 1960 and led in the Chilean Pentecostal movement, had written himself a ten-year contract with the tribe in 1978 for half the profits of any business he brought in, and had proposed security for [[Crown Prince Fahd]]'s palace, and that Indio police surveillance in August 1981 observed him with [[Tommy Marson]], [[Vincent Caci Bologna]], [[Anthony Fratianno]] and [[Daniel Magano]]. Zokosky's timeline placed Nichols in Canada with him from June 22 to June 30, 1981, which [[John Belton]] said had been arranged as an alibi. Hughes said he had been told in Nichols's presence to take 5,000 dollars as partial payment for the Alvarez killings, and that the tribe's gambling enterprises were fronts for government-sanctioned covert military activity. Riconosciuto said Nichols's office was broken into to retrieve [[Phyllis Riconosciuto]]'s diary with passwords for [[Tyme Shares]], and that Nichols and Zokosky blamed him for the murder of [[Paul Morasca]].[^13]
Michael Riconosciuto described Nichols as a former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent. The writer Cheri Seymour wrote that the joint venture was formalized on April 1, 1981, as "Cabazon Arms," to manufacture arms and explosives for export under the reservation's sovereign status, with a [[Department of Defense]] secret facility clearance, and that it proposed 120mm combustible cartridge cases, 9mm machine pistols, laser-sighted assault weapons, sniper rifles, portable rockets and biological weapons; that Nichols introduced Riconosciuto to Frye, and that Riconosciuto did a railgun exercise for Dr. Harry Fair at Picatinny; and that the murder solicitation involved five intended victims and drugs and that Nichols served 18 months, his son acting as administrator. Seymour also wrote that he had done business in [[Saudi Arabia]], [[South Africa]], [[Panama]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Guatemala]], [[Mexico]], [[Chile]], [[Brazil]], the [[Netherlands]], [[England]], [[Canada]], [[France]], [[Spain]], [[Japan]], [[Korea]] and [[Taiwan]], had managed a Coca-Cola bottling plant in São Paulo in 1960 and led in the Chilean Pentecostal movement, had written himself a ten-year contract with the tribe in 1978 for half the profits of any business he brought in, and had proposed security for [[Crown Prince Fahd]]'s palace, and that Indio police surveillance in August 1981 observed him with [[Tommy Marson]], [[Vincent Caci Bologna]], [[Anthony Fratianno]] and [[Daniel Magano]]. Zokosky's timeline placed Nichols in Canada with him from June 22 to June 30, 1981, which [[John Belton]] said had been arranged as an alibi. Hughes said he had been told in Nichols's presence to take 5,000 dollars as partial payment for the Alvarez killings, and that the tribe's gambling enterprises were fronts for government-sanctioned covert military activity. Riconosciuto said Nichols's office was broken into to retrieve [[Phyllis Riconosciuto]]'s diary with passwords for [[Tyme Shares]], and that Nichols and Zokosky blamed him for the murder of [[Paul Morasca]].[^14]
### Footnotes
[^1]: U.S. Department of Justice. *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.,* March 1993, pp. 54-64.
[^2]: Jan Golab, "Close-Up," *Los Angeles*, September 1983, pp. 116 to 128 (the Durocher and Zangari passage runs from immediately before the page 126 heading to page 128). Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^3]: *Federal Government's Relationship with American Indians*, Hearings before the Special Committee on Investigations of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, S. Hrg. 101-126, Part 2 (February 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1989), Robert Morehouse, "High Stakes Bingo on Indian Reservations in California," pp. 417 to 419. https://archive.org/details/micro_IA41152832_0182
[^4]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," p. 55. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^5]: Same report, pp. 54 to 55. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^6]: Jan Golab, "Close-Up," *Los Angeles*, September 1983, pp. 116 to 128 (the passage falls immediately before the page 126 heading). Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^7]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), April 17, 1985 ("Court ruling may ...") and 1985 article "Cabazon leader scoffs at report." Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^8]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, memorandum, "Crime on Indian Reservation - Gambling," November 5, 1986, reprinted in FBI file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^9]: Federal Bureau of Investigation. File on John Philip Nichols, FOIPA Request No. 1344360-000, files 183A-LA-1746 and 198D-LA-96, released August 3, 2016. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^10]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, airtel to the Director, July 19, 1983, "Pan American Management Inc.," file 183-1746 (cross-reference Tampa 183A-1010). Reprinted in file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^11]: "Only On 3: 'Octopus Murder' Suspect Caught On Hidden Camera." KESQ, September 29, 2009, https://kesq.com/news/2009/09/29/only-on-3-octopus-murder-suspect-caught-on-hidden-camera/ ; "Jimmy Hughes Speaks To KESQ After Charges Dropped." KESQ, July 2, 2010. https://kesq.com/news/2010/07/02/jimmy-hughes-speaks-to-kesq-after-charges-dropped/
[^12]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Sam Cross, file 74-86438, interview October 6, 1992 (transcribed December 10, 1992). https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^13]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro's Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal.* TrineDay, 2010. The CIA claim is not supported by his FBI file. The venture's name and date are corrected by the special counsel's report, and the book dates the murders to June 29, 1981.
[^4]: Letter, John P. Nichols to Dr. Harry Fair, Tactical Technology, Arlington, Virginia, January 20, 1983, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^5]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," p. 55. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^6]: Same report, pp. 54 to 55. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^7]: Jan Golab, "Close-Up," *Los Angeles*, September 1983, pp. 116 to 128 (the passage falls immediately before the page 126 heading). Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^8]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), April 17, 1985 ("Court ruling may ...") and 1985 article "Cabazon leader scoffs at report." Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^9]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, memorandum, "Crime on Indian Reservation - Gambling," November 5, 1986, reprinted in FBI file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^10]: Federal Bureau of Investigation. File on John Philip Nichols, FOIPA Request No. 1344360-000, files 183A-LA-1746 and 198D-LA-96, released August 3, 2016. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^11]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, airtel to the Director, July 19, 1983, "Pan American Management Inc.," file 183-1746 (cross-reference Tampa 183A-1010). Reprinted in file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^12]: "Only On 3: 'Octopus Murder' Suspect Caught On Hidden Camera." KESQ, September 29, 2009, https://kesq.com/news/2009/09/29/only-on-3-octopus-murder-suspect-caught-on-hidden-camera/ ; "Jimmy Hughes Speaks To KESQ After Charges Dropped." KESQ, July 2, 2010. https://kesq.com/news/2010/07/02/jimmy-hughes-speaks-to-kesq-after-charges-dropped/
[^13]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Sam Cross, file 74-86438, interview October 6, 1992 (transcribed December 10, 1992). https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^14]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro's Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal.* TrineDay, 2010. The CIA claim is not supported by his FBI file. The venture's name and date are corrected by the special counsel's report, and the book dates the murders to June 29, 1981.

4
10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/John Paul Nichols.md
View file

@ -6,7 +6,7 @@ tags:
- Person
- PROMIS
- Lawyer
summary: "John Paul Nichols was the 'Project Manager' for the Cabazon/Wackenhut Corporation Joint Venture, also known as Cabazon Arms."
summary: "Son of Dr. John Philip Nichols, named as 'Project Manager' in the December 10, 1981 Chapter 11 petition of the Cabazon Indian Casino and later administrator of the Cabazon tribe."
updated: 2026-10-09
relations:
- type: relative_of
@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ relations:
---
[[John Paul Nichols]] was the son of [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]]. He took over his father's position as acting administrator of the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon tribe]] when Dr. John Philip Nichols was incarcerated. In 1989, [[Mark Nichols]] inherited the position of administrator from John Paul Nichols.[^1]
John Paul Nichols was the "Project Manager" for the Cabazon/[[Wackenhut Corporation]] Joint Venture, also known as [[Cabazon Arms]]. On April 4, 1983, he wrote a letter to the Army Discharge Review Board asking for [[Jimmy Hughes]]' military record, as Hughes required security clearances to work in the Joint Venture. He stated that Hughes had been instrumental in developing their reservation security force and providing training, and was becoming involved in matters requiring security clearances for government contracts.[^1]
John Paul Nichols is named as "Project Manager" in the December 10, 1981 Chapter 11 petition of the [[Cabazon Indian Casino]].[^2] On April 4, 1983, he wrote a letter to the Army Discharge Review Board asking for [[Jimmy Hughes]]' military record, as Hughes required security clearances to work in the Cabazon/[[Wackenhut Corporation]] Joint Venture, also known as [[Cabazon Security Corporation|Cabazon Arms]]. He stated that Hughes had been instrumental in developing their reservation security force and providing training, and was becoming involved in matters requiring security clearances for government contracts.[^1]
The Chapter 11 petition filed for the Cabazon Indian Casino on December 10, 1981 was signed by John Paul Nichols as "Project Manager." The [[Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit]] quoted the petition's description of the casino as "a co-partnership consisting of" a list of members, which named "John Paul Nichols, Project Manager/Employee" among them. The panel wrote: "The record reflects that Mr. Nichols is a non-Indian and, therefore, ostensibly not a member of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians."[^2] A March 20, 1988 article gives the casino's debts as $567,577 owed to 45 creditors, against assets of $123,859, and quotes Nichols, identified as the Cabazon tribal administrator: "Nichols said incompetent management caused the downfall of the poker business and he has admitted a mistake in his hiring of Rocco Zangari as the first manager."[^3]

29
10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/Michael Riconosciuto.md
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@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
---
category: "Technologists"
created: 2024-04-25
updated: 2026-10-08
updated: 2026-10-09
tags:
- KeyFigure
- Person
@ -13,21 +13,21 @@ summary: "Michael Riconosciuto is a computer scientist and self-proclaimed forme
### Involvement with Wackenhut and Cabazon Joint Venture
Riconosciuto stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that from 1981 to 1984 he was Director of Research for a joint venture between [[Wackenhut Corporation]] and the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Indian tribe]] near Indio, California; the Bua report found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture.[^2][^3] This venture, known as "[[Cabazon Arms]]," aimed to develop and manufacture military and national security materials, including night vision goggles, machine guns, fuel-air explosives, and biological and chemical warfare weapons. The sovereign status of the reservation was utilized to bypass stringent federal controls on such developments.[^1]
Riconosciuto stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that from 1981 to 1984 he was Director of Research for a joint venture between [[Wackenhut Corporation]] and the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Indian tribe]] near Indio, California; the Bua report found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture.[^2][^3] The venture, which is called "[[Cabazon Security Corporation|Cabazon Arms]]" in correspondence from the venture, is summarized by the Bua report as one "engaged in the development and manufacture of certain military type materials, which were then intended to be sold to foreign governments and forces."[^4] A newspaper clipping in the Danny Casolaro papers attributes to Riconosciuto, from the affidavit, a project to develop night-vision goggles, machine guns, fuel-air explosives, and biological and chemical warfare weapons and states that because the band was sovereign such weapons could be manufactured without congressional scrutiny for "U.S. client regimes" and "groups such as the contras."[^5] Seymour wrote that the reservation's sovereign status was used to bypass stringent federal controls on such developments.[^1] The Bua report records Nichols's view that "the Cabazon's, as a sovereign nation, were not subject to the usual export and import controls."[^6]
During this period, Riconosciuto claimed to have modified the proprietary [[PROMIS]] computer software. He stated that [[Earl Brian]] made the software available to him through Wackenhut, after acquiring it from [[Peter Videnieks]], a [[Department of Justice|Justice Department]] contracting official. Riconosciuto's modifications were intended to facilitate the worldwide implementation of PROMIS in law enforcement and intelligence agencies, including specific adaptations for the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|RCMP]] and the [[Canadian Security Intelligence Service|CSIS]] in [[Canada]]. This alleged modification and sale of pirated PROMIS software became a central element of the PROMIS Software Scandal.[^1]
However, the Special Counsel's investigation found significant inconsistencies in Riconosciuto's various accounts of his role in the alleged theft of PROMIS. He was inconsistent regarding from whom he received the software and when and where he altered it. For instance, in his affidavit, he claimed to have received a single copy of the software from Earl Brian, while at his trial, he claimed to have received three versions from [[John Philip Nichols]]. His timeline for altering the software also varied, with his affidavit stating 1983-1984, but his trial testimony indicating late 1981 to early 1983. The investigation noted that it would have been physically impossible for anyone from the DOJ to provide an enhanced version of PROMIS in late 1981, as Inslaw did not even enter into the implementation contract until March 1982, and the enhanced version was not delivered until April 1983.[^4]
However, the Special Counsel's investigation found significant inconsistencies in Riconosciuto's various accounts of his role in the alleged theft of PROMIS. He was inconsistent regarding from whom he received the software and when and where he altered it. For instance, in his affidavit, he claimed to have received a single copy of the software from Earl Brian, while at his trial, he claimed to have received three versions from [[John Philip Nichols]]. His timeline for altering the software also varied, with his affidavit stating 1983-1984, but his trial testimony indicating late 1981 to early 1983. The investigation noted that it would have been physically impossible for anyone from the DOJ to provide an enhanced version of PROMIS in late 1981, as Inslaw did not even enter into the implementation contract until March 1982, and the enhanced version was not delivered until April 1983.[^7]
Both Earl Brian and Peter Videnieks categorically denied Riconosciuto's allegations, stating they had never met him or each other, and had never been to Indio, California. The investigation found both Brian and Videnieks to be credible witnesses. Furthermore, the investigation found no evidence to corroborate Riconosciuto's claims of computer equipment or software modification activities at the Cabazon reservation. Witnesses, including the Tribal Chairman Art Welmas and Indio Police Chief Sam Cross, stated they never saw large computers or computer facilities on the reservation during that period. The investigation concluded that Riconosciuto was a "totally unreliable witness" and that his story was a "tale of total fiction woven against the background of accurate historical facts."[^4]
Both Earl Brian and Peter Videnieks categorically denied Riconosciuto's allegations, stating they had never met him or each other, and had never been to Indio, California. The investigation found both Brian and Videnieks to be credible witnesses. Furthermore, the investigation found no evidence to corroborate Riconosciuto's claims of computer equipment or software modification activities at the Cabazon reservation. Witnesses, including the Tribal Chairman Art Welmas and Indio Police Chief Sam Cross, stated they never saw large computers or computer facilities on the reservation during that period. The investigation concluded that Riconosciuto was a "totally unreliable witness" and that his story was a "tale of total fiction woven against the background of accurate historical facts."[^7]
Riconosciuto told *Spy* in 1992 that he "met with George Wackenhut and John Ammarell [a Wackenhut board member and consultant to George Wackenhut] in Las Vegas," with [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]] present. The magazine reported that Wackenhut denied any involvement with improper appropriation of software, and that Ammarell confirmed that a meeting took place in Las Vegas, saying, "I don't remember any specific conversations, but I think we were there to discuss the sale of George's yacht, the Top Secret. I think Nichols said he had a potential buyer."[^5] An unsigned letter in the Danny Casolaro papers, whose writer refers to his father and to the firms Stellar and Hercules Research, states that the writer's "meeting with Mr. George Wackenhut and John Amarell in Las Vegas on March 11, 1982," gave him "ample opportunity to discuss the power pack." The same letter states that "Bob Frye of Wackenhut Services, Inc., gave personal invaluable assistance" at the Picatinny Arsenal, that the cooperation received from the Wackenhut Corporation "has been nothing short of spectacular," and that the writer was "formalizing an agreement with an assistant U.S. attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be a cooperative witness."[^6]
Riconosciuto told *Spy* in 1992 that he "met with George Wackenhut and John Ammarell [a Wackenhut board member and consultant to George Wackenhut] in Las Vegas," with [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]] present. The magazine reported that Wackenhut denied any involvement with improper appropriation of software, and that Ammarell confirmed that a meeting took place in Las Vegas, saying, "I don't remember any specific conversations, but I think we were there to discuss the sale of George's yacht, the Top Secret. I think Nichols said he had a potential buyer."[^8] An unsigned letter in the Danny Casolaro papers, whose writer refers to his father and to the firms Stellar and Hercules Research, states that the writer's "meeting with Mr. George Wackenhut and John Amarell in Las Vegas on March 11, 1982," gave him "ample opportunity to discuss the power pack." The same letter states that "Bob Frye of Wackenhut Services, Inc., gave personal invaluable assistance" at the Picatinny Arsenal, that the cooperation received from the Wackenhut Corporation "has been nothing short of spectacular," and that the writer was "formalizing an agreement with an assistant U.S. attorney and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to be a cooperative witness."[^9]
The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice describes Riconosciuto's March 21, 1991 affidavit in the INSLAW bankruptcy adversary proceeding, in which he stated that he had been Director of Research for a joint venture between the Wackenhut Corporation and the Cabazon Indians and that in 1983 and 1984, in connection with his work for Wackenhut, he modified the PROMIS software.[^2] The report states that its investigators "found no evidence to support Riconosciuto's claim that he and Earl Brian were employed by Wackenhut or by the joint venture," that the joint venture had no employees at any time, and that the only individual employed by Wackenhut in the matter was [[Robert Frye]]. It also states that the firms Riconosciuto named in a call to the Hamiltons, Wackenhut Research, Inc. and Wackenhut Security, Inc., "do not exist."[^3]
### The PROMIS Affidavit and Arrest
In March 1991, Riconosciuto provided an affidavit to [[Bill Hamilton]] and [[Nancy Hamilton]], owners of [[INSLAW]], detailing his role in modifying PROMIS and alleging that Peter Videnieks attempted to dissuade him from cooperating with a [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] investigation into the software's theft. Eight days after signing this affidavit, Riconosciuto was arrested for allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab in Tacoma, Washington. He claimed this arrest was a deliberate attempt to discredit his testimony. The Special Counsel's investigation, however, found no connection between Riconosciuto's prosecution and his allegations in the Inslaw matter, concluding that the drug case began as a local investigation and the evidence against him was overwhelming.[^1][^4]
In March 1991, Riconosciuto provided an affidavit to [[Bill Hamilton]] and [[Nancy Hamilton]], owners of [[INSLAW]], detailing his role in modifying PROMIS and alleging that Peter Videnieks attempted to dissuade him from cooperating with a [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee]] investigation into the software's theft. Eight days after signing this affidavit, Riconosciuto was arrested for allegedly operating a methamphetamine lab in Tacoma, Washington. He claimed this arrest was a deliberate attempt to discredit his testimony. The Special Counsel's investigation, however, found no connection between Riconosciuto's prosecution and his allegations in the Inslaw matter, concluding that the drug case began as a local investigation and the evidence against him was overwhelming.[^1][^7]
### Connections and Allegations
@ -39,7 +39,7 @@ He also claimed participation in a [[National Security Council|NSC]]-sanctioned
Riconosciuto claimed to have handled gold transfers, money laundering, "virtual dead drops," and altered ACH daily reconciliations for various underworld figures, including Robert Booth Nichols, [[Gilbert Rodriguez]], and [[Jose Santacruz Londono]] of the [[Cali Drug Cartel]]. He sought to provide this information to the [[Financial Crimes Enforcement Network|FinCen]] in exchange for witness protection.[^1]
Regarding the [[October Surprise]], Riconosciuto claimed that he and Earl Brian traveled to [[Iran]] in 1980 and paid $40 million to Iranian officials to delay the release of U.S. hostages until after [[Ronald Reagan]]'s presidential inauguration, linking the PROMIS Software Scandal to the October Surprise affair.[^1] However, the Special Counsel's investigation found no credible evidence to support this claim, and evidence suggested Brian was in New York at the time of the alleged Iran trip.[^4]
Regarding the [[October Surprise]], Riconosciuto claimed that he and Earl Brian traveled to [[Iran]] in 1980 and paid $40 million to Iranian officials to delay the release of U.S. hostages until after [[Ronald Reagan]]'s presidential inauguration, linking the PROMIS Software Scandal to the October Surprise affair.[^1] However, the Special Counsel's investigation found no credible evidence to support this claim, and evidence suggested Brian was in New York at the time of the alleged Iran trip.[^7]
Riconosciuto claimed to have been in direct communication with [[Michael Hand]], co-founder of [[Nugan Hand Bank]], before and after Hand's disappearance, and handled money transfers for Hand when he fled [[Australia]].[^1]
@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ Beyond PROMIS, Riconosciuto was involved in advanced technological projects, inc
### Remarks on Clearances and the Aquino Question
In an undated transcript of an interview with [[Ted Gunderson]] (the interviewer is initialed "T.G."), the speaker, initialed "M.R.," discusses members of the Church of Set and of [[Michael Aquino]]'s circle. He says that the reaction to Aquino he received from "Dr. Malkin" was "Well, his clearance isn't all that high."[^7] In the same passage the speaker says that nearly everyone in Aquino's group was psy-ops or intelligence related.[^7] The transcript's cover line begins with the name "Michael," and the first notes in the file are headed "NOTES OF PHONE CONV. 12/29/87." The initials are the only identifier in the body of the transcript. Records found do not establish whether "Dr. Malkin" is [[Myron S. Malkin]], the former NASA Space Shuttle director and former Defense Department official, whose name appears in an undated (year not printed) Cabazon Arms letter.[^8]
In an undated transcript of an interview with [[Ted Gunderson]] (the interviewer is initialed "T.G."), the speaker, initialed "M.R.," discusses members of the Church of Set and of [[Michael Aquino]]'s circle. He says that the reaction to Aquino he received from "Dr. Malkin" was "Well, his clearance isn't all that high."[^10] In the same passage the speaker says that nearly everyone in Aquino's group was psy-ops or intelligence related.[^10] The transcript's cover line begins with the name "Michael," and the first notes in the file are headed "NOTES OF PHONE CONV. 12/29/87." The initials are the only identifier in the body of the transcript. Records found do not establish whether "Dr. Malkin" is [[Myron S. Malkin]], the former NASA Space Shuttle director and former Defense Department official, whose name appears in an undated (year not printed) Cabazon Arms letter.[^11]
### Legal Troubles and Witness Protection Attempts
@ -62,8 +62,11 @@ Danny Casolaro began interviewing Riconosciuto prior to his arrest in March 1991
[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.
[^2]: United States Department of Justice, Office of Professional Responsibility, report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua on the INSLAW matter (1993), printed pp. 42 to 43 (affidavit of March 21, 1991, paragraph 44 as quoted). https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^3]: Report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua on the INSLAW matter (1993), printed p. 55 and footnote 32 (firm names) and footnote 35 on p. 58 (employment). Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it.
[^4]: U.S. Department of Justice. *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of Inslaw, Inc.* March 1993.
[^5]: John Connolly, "Inside the Shadow CIA," *Spy,* September 1992, pp. 46-54. Sole source for the Las Vegas account in this form; the bracketed description of Ammarell is the magazine's. https://www.prop1.org/legal/prisons/92wack.htm
[^6]: Unsigned, undated letter, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence," beginning "The cooperation I have received from the Wackenhut Corporation." The spelling "Amarell" is as printed in the letter. https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^7]: Ted Gunderson and Michael Riconosciuto interview notes, file "Folder 7 Acc5516" (archive.org casolaro-notebooks item, file "Folder 7 Acc5516.pdf", text layer). Undated passage. Sole source for the passages so cited. https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^8]: Letter over the name of Arthur Welmas, Cabazon Arms letterhead, Indio, California, dated "May 1" (year not printed), Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^4]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(ii) Riconosciuto's March 21, 1991 Affidavit," printed p. 44. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. Riconosciuto's claims, as summarized by the report. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^5]: Newspaper clipping on INSLAW and PROMIS, undated, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence2." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^6]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed p. 56. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^7]: U.S. Department of Justice. *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of Inslaw, Inc.* March 1993.
[^8]: John Connolly, "Inside the Shadow CIA," *Spy,* September 1992, pp. 46-54. Sole source for the Las Vegas account in this form; the bracketed description of Ammarell is the magazine's. https://www.prop1.org/legal/prisons/92wack.htm
[^9]: Unsigned, undated letter, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence," beginning "The cooperation I have received from the Wackenhut Corporation." The spelling "Amarell" is as printed in the letter. https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^10]: Ted Gunderson and Michael Riconosciuto interview notes, file "Folder 7 Acc5516" (archive.org casolaro-notebooks item, file "Folder 7 Acc5516.pdf", text layer). Undated passage. Sole source for the passages so cited. https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^11]: Letter over the name of Arthur Welmas, headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," Indio, California, dated "May 1" (year not printed), Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks

4
10 - PEOPLE/(T-Z)/Arthur Welmas.md
View file

@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice descr
On or about September 25, 1980, an agreement for the management of the Cabazon Indian Casino cardroom by [[Rocco Zangari]] was signed by Welmas as chairman of the Cabazon Band. The appellate panel found that the agreement appears to have been only between Zangari and [[PN Associates, Inc.]], a Delaware corporation, and that Welmas also signed it. The panel did not decide whether the agreement bound the casino.[^3]
Welmas signed letters as "President." On March 24, 1982, a letter on the stationery of the Cabazon Gas and Oil Corporation over his name, addressed to a Michael McClure of Hercules Research Corp., Hercules, California, with copies to [[Marshall Riconosciuto]] and [[Michael Riconosciuto]], states that Nichols "is very impressed with your competence."[^4] A letter over his name dated May 1 (year not printed) on Cabazon Arms letterhead, Indio, to La France Specialties of San Diego, says that a facility on a fifteen-acre site set aside by the reservation was planned, that the venture planned to begin manufacturing "a new assault weapon, which would have unique characteristics, including an adjustable cycle rate of fire and a laser sighting system," and that all sales would be sought only through sources acceptable to the State Department.[^5] The names that follow his signature on that letter are Peter Zokosky, Bob Frye, Dr. [[Myron S. Malkin|Myron Malkin]], Colonel Glade Flake, John James, Bruce James, John Paul Nichols and Wayne Reeder. A Dr. Myron S. Malkin, director of the NASA Space Shuttle program, sat on the board of NUSAC, Inc., the nuclear safeguards consultancy bought by the Wackenhut Corporation in 1978. Whether he is the Dr. Myron Malkin named in the letter is not established.[^5][^6]
Welmas signed letters as "President." On March 24, 1982, a letter on the stationery of the Cabazon Gas and Oil Corporation over his name, addressed to a Michael McClure of Hercules Research Corp., Hercules, California, with copies to [[Marshall Riconosciuto]] and [[Michael Riconosciuto]], states that Nichols "is very impressed with your competence."[^4] A letter over his name dated May 1 (year not printed), headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," Indio, to La France Specialties of San Diego, says that a facility on a fifteen-acre site set aside by the reservation was planned, that the venture planned to begin manufacturing "a new assault weapon, which would have unique characteristics, including an adjustable cycle rate of fire and a laser sighting system," and that all sales would be sought only through sources acceptable to the State Department.[^5] The names that follow his signature on that letter are Peter Zokosky, Bob Frye, Dr. [[Myron S. Malkin|Myron Malkin]], Colonel Glade Flake, John James, Bruce James, John Paul Nichols and Wayne Reeder. A Dr. Myron S. Malkin, director of the NASA Space Shuttle program, sat on the board of NUSAC, Inc., the nuclear safeguards consultancy bought by the Wackenhut Corporation in 1978. Whether he is the Dr. Myron Malkin named in the letter is not established.[^5][^6]
[[Robert Chasen]], Executive Vice President of Wackenhut Corporation, felt an affinity with Welmas due to his wife being part Cherokee. Chasen sympathized with the Cabazons' situation and expressed a desire to protect them, suggesting he may have done so by shutting down the Wackenhut Corporation's biological virus and vaccine development proposal to the Army on the Cabazon reservation.[^1]
@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ A March 30, 1992 article in the Washington Business Journal quotes Welmas, then
[^2]: United States Department of Justice, Office of Professional Responsibility, report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua on the INSLAW matter (1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture, printed pp. 55 to 56. Official finding. https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^3]: *Zangari v. Cabazon Indian Casino (In re Cabazon Indian Casino)*, 35 B.R. 124 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. December 29, 1983), BAP No. CC-82-1578-GVAb. https://static.case.law/br/35/cases/0124-01.json
[^4]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated March 24, 1982, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." The scan text prints the addressee as "Mr. Michael McClure, Hercules Research Corp." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^5]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated May 1 to La France Specialties, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence"; Cabazon Arms letterhead, 83-180 Requa Avenue, Indio, California.
[^5]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated May 1 to La France Specialties, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence"; letterhead headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," 83-180 Requa Avenue, Indio, California.
[^6]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 8, no. 4 (Winter 1979-1980), item on the election of Brian J. L. Berry to the NUSAC board ("Besides Dr. Lumb, the other members are Dr. Myron S. Malkin, Director of NASA's Space Shuttle Program"). https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_08/V-8_4.pdf
[^7]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), February 11, 1989, "Indians deny link to crime," by David Boyles. Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^8]: U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, *The INSLAW Affair*, H. Rept. 102-857 (September 10, 1992), notes 218 to 222, citing Washington Business Journal, March 30, 1992. https://archive.org/details/InslawAffairInvestigativeReport

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@ -0,0 +1,159 @@
---
title: Cabazon Security Corporation
aliases:
- Cabazon Security Corporation
- Cabazon Security Corp.
- Cabazon Arms
- Cabazon Arms Co.
- CSC
- CSC/WSI Joint Venture
- Cabazon Indian Security
- Cabazon Indian Security/WSI Joint Venture
- Wackenhut/Cabazon Joint Venture
created: 2026-10-09
updated: 2026-10-09
category: "Private Organization"
tags:
- Organization
- Private
- Security
- ArmsTrade
- CabazonBand
- Wackenhut
- Indio
- California
- ContraWar
- PROMIS
summary: "Security company formed in early 1981 by the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians and Wackenhut Services, Inc., whose correspondence also uses the name Cabazon Arms."
location: "Indio, California"
start: 1981-04
relations:
- type: partner_of
with: "[[Wackenhut Corporation]]"
start: 1981-04
role: "joint venture agreement signed by A. Robert Frye for Wackenhut Services, Inc., a subsidiary of Wackenhut Corporation"
fn: 2
- type: partner_of
with: "[[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Band of Mission Indians]]"
start: 1981-04
role: "agreement signed by Tribal Chairman Arthur Welmas for the corporation"
fn: 2
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Robert Frye]]"
reverse: true
start: 1981-04
role: "president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded to the capabilities solicitation and signed for Wackenhut"
fn: 1
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Arthur Welmas]]"
reverse: true
start: 1981-04
role: "Tribal Chairman, signed the April 1981 agreement for the corporation"
fn: 2
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Dr. John Philip Nichols]]"
reverse: true
start: 1981
role: "tribal administrator, conducted the negotiations for the Cabazons, signed letters for the venture"
fn: 1
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Michael Riconosciuto]]"
reverse: true
start: 1983
end: 1984
role: "claimed in a March 21, 1991 affidavit to have been Director of Research and to have worked for Wackenhut in 1983 and 1984; the Bua report found no evidence of employment"
fn: 14
- type: participant_in
with: "[[Peter Zokosky]]"
reverse: true
start: 1981
role: "former president of Armtec Defense Products, advisor to the venture on combustible cartridge casings"
fn: 13
---
Cabazon Security Corporation was a security company that the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Band of Mission Indians]] formed in early 1981 near [[Indio, California]], and that entered a joint venture the same year with [[Wackenhut Services|Wackenhut Services, Inc.]], a subsidiary of [[Wackenhut Corporation]]. Correspondence from the venture also uses the name Cabazon Arms, and a 1985 newspaper gave the same name to the venture.
### Formation
The report of Special Counsel [[Nicholas J. Bua]] to the Attorney General states that "During early 1981 the Cabazons formed a company known as Cabazon Security Corporation ("CSC")."[^1] According to [[Robert Frye|A. Robert Frye]], the report continues, CSC solicited capabilities statements from a number of major security firms, and Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded on behalf of Wackenhut. The report states that Wackenhut was interested "in working with the Cabazons because CSC, as a qualified minority contractor, would be eligible to obtain government contract work pursuant to various set-aside programs."[^1]
An [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] interview of Frye in November 1992 gives a different account of the first contact. Frye told agents that [[Dr. John Philip Nichols]], the tribal manager, had contacted Wackenhut to ask whether it wished to enter a joint venture with the Cabazons to obtain government security contracts set aside for minority businesses.[^3] The Bua report states that negotiations went forward with Frye on behalf of Wackenhut and with Nichols conducting them for the Cabazons.[^1]
The report dates the agreement to April 1981: "In April of 1981 Wackenhut entered into a joint venture agreement with CSC. The agreement was signed by Frye on behalf of Wackenhut, and Tribal Chairman [[Arthur Welmas|Art Welmas]] on behalf of CSC."[^2] The report quotes the agreement's stated purpose: "it was the primary purpose of the joint venture to 'qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts.'"[^2] The report states that the joint venture bid on two government security contracts that it did not receive.[^2] Frye told agents that no contracts resulted from the joint venture.[^3]
The report identifies Welmas as Tribal Chairman in 1981 and states that "A non-Indian man, John Philip Nichols, was the Tribal Administrator and managed the business affairs of the tribe."[^1] Its account of the workforce reads: "the joint venture had no employees at any time" and "The only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye."[^4]
A letter to the [[Treasury Board of Canada]], in the [[Danny Casolaro]] papers, refers to a June 26, 1981 meeting in [[Ottawa]] between the VCPC Task Force and the CSC/WSI Joint Venture. Its signature block names A.R. Frye and Dr. John P. Nichols.[^5] Frye's FBI interview describes an attempt, during his visits to southern California from 1981 through 1983, by Wackenhut and the Cabazons to buy [[Valley Field Ammunitions]], a private Canadian armaments manufacturer that was in bankruptcy. Frye said that the Canadian government did not approve the purchase.[^3]
### Names in use
The venture's correspondence used several names. A letter dated January 20, 1983, from John P. Nichols to [[Dr. Harry Fair]] of [[Tactical Technology]] in [[Arlington, Virginia]], carries the letterhead "CABAZON ARMS" with "CABAZON SECURITY CORPORATION" beneath it and the address of the Indio office. The letter also carries the line "CABAZON ARMS A CSC/WSI JOINT VENTURE." The letter states: "The clearance documents that were submitted for Cabazon Arms to DOD were found to be acceptable by the Los Angeles DOD Office and have been forwarded to Washington D.C. for final approval."[^6]
A letter of March 23, 1982, addressed to [[Peter Zokosky]], carries the heading "Cabazon Security Corp./ Wackenhut Joint Venture."[^7] A May 1 letter over the name of Arthur Welmas to [[La France Specialties]] of [[San Diego]] is headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE." A sentence in the body of that letter refers to Cabazon Arms and states that all sales would be sought and consummated through sources acceptable to the State Department.[^8]
[[Cheri Seymour]] describes the January 20, 1983 letter, in her chapter on [[Michael Riconosciuto]], as written "on Wackenhut/Cabazon letterhead" by Nichols as "Cabazon Administrator."[^9] Seymour's chapter also quotes the letter's reference to "the Cabazon Arms CA 9 SMG which 'Peter Zokosky had the British interested in.'"[^9]
On March 21, 1985 the [[Desert Sun]] described "the now-defunct Cabazon Arms Co." on the reservation outside Indio, "according to numerous sources." The paper reported that Zokosky, described as a former partner in the company, said that Nichols formed the Cabazon Arms Co. to manufacture weapons in a joint venture with Wackenhut Services, an international security company based in Florida.[^10] The same article quoted Wackenhut President Bob Frye: "We severed our relations with the tribe over a year ago."[^10]
The newsclippings file that [[Danny Casolaro]] kept on the venture is headed "CABAZON ARMS AND WACKENHUT," according to the file index reproduced in [[Jim Keith]]'s 1996 book [[The Octopus]].[^11]
The Bua report and the House report do not use the name Cabazon Arms. The Bua report uses "Cabazon Security Corporation," and the House report refers to "the so-called Wackenhut/Cabazon Indian joint venture."[^4][^12]
### Products and proposals
The Bua report states that Nichols "indicated a desire to have the joint venture engage in the sale of night vision goggles and rifle scopes to foreign governments," and that Wackenhut's files contain documents showing his efforts to market the equipment to representatives of the governments of [[Guatemala]] and [[Honduras]]. The report quotes Nichols: "It was Nichols' view that the Cabazon's, as a sovereign nation, were not subject to the usual export and import controls." It adds: "As far as we could tell, no sales were ever made."[^2] The report states that internal Wackenhut memoranda expressed the opinion that any such sales would require State Department approval, and that Wackenhut filed preliminary applications with the [[United States Department of State|State Department]].[^2]
The Bua report describes a second line of business: "the manufacture and/or sale of combustible cartridge casings for large caliber cannons." Zokosky, the former president of Armtec Defense Products, is named as the person who introduced the Cabazons to the field, and the report states that the venture pursued the possibility of becoming a second-source supplier for the United States Army.[^13]
The January 20, 1983 letter lists research and development projects, among them a second 9mm machine pistol, a selective-fire assault rifle, "a long distance sniper rifle," and "a small portable rocket system." It states: "We are continuing to pursue the 120MM contract. A definite decision has not been made to date by the US government." It describes the CA 9 SMG submachine gun as one that "can be produced for $75.00 per unit on the reservation and sold for $100.00 to $125.00," and states: "Kuwait has been particularly interested in financing the production of the CA 9 SMG."[^6]
The FBI interview of Frye says that Nichols brought in a man named Vanderworker, described as the head of a security company in California with rights to buy night vision goggles from Litton Industries, and suggested that 300 goggles could be sold to the Nicaraguan government. Frye said that Nichols believed the Cabazons' sovereign status meant no export license was needed. Frye said that he was not present at a later demonstration to Guatemalan representatives, and that Nichols told him Riconosciuto had removed the price tags from the goggles beforehand.[^3] The records found do not establish whether the Vanderworker named in Frye's interview is the former CIA officer [[John Vandewerker]].[^3]
Claims that the venture supplied weapons to foreign governments and to the Contras are attributed to Riconosciuto's affidavit. Bua summarizes that affidavit as claiming that he "had been Director of Research for a joint venture between Wackenhut Corporation and the Cabazon Indians of Indio, California," and describes the venture as engaged in "the development and manufacture of certain military type materials, which were then intended to be sold to foreign governments and forces."[^14] A newspaper clipping in the Casolaro papers attributes to Riconosciuto, from the affidavit, the statement that, because the band was sovereign, such weapons could be made "without congressional scrutiny" for "U.S. client regimes" in the Middle East and Latin America, and for "groups such as the contras."[^15] The Bua report states that it found "no evidence to support Riconosciuto's claim that he and [[Earl Brian]] were employed by Wackenhut or by the joint venture."[^4]
### The September 10, 1981 demonstration
The Bua report places a demonstration in the joint venture's sales effort on the evening of September 10, 1981: "a demonstration of night vision equipment was held on the evening of September 10, 1981, at the Lake Cahuilla gun range in Indio, California."[^2] A [[Riverside County District Attorney's Office|Riverside County District Attorney's Office]] Special Operations Report, typed October 10, 1991 and prepared by investigator [[Gene Gilbert]], carries the title "Nicaraguans and Earl Brian at Lake Cahuilla - 9/10/81." The Bua report states that the report lists sixteen people present, including Zokosky, Nichols, Welmas, [[Sam Cross|Cross]] and Brian, and that "all the information in that report, save for the license plate numbers and the registrations, came from Riconosciuto."[^16]
The Bua report also records what Baird told its investigators. [[Dave Baird]], an Indio police sergeant in 1981, said that Police Chief Cross had told him that City Manager [[Phil Hawes]] "had arranged for a demonstration by the Cabazons to take place at the Lake Cahuilla gun range."[^16]
The FBI interviews of October 1992 place the demonstration elsewhere. Cross told agents that the demonstration was held at the [[Indio Police Department]] firing range, that he assigned four or five officers to watch from outside the range, and that if automatic weapons were present the officers were expected to arrest Nichols. Cross also said that he did not attend and had no idea who was present.[^17] Baird's FD-302 gives the same location. It states that Hawes told him the police department would provide the range and security for the demonstration, and that Hawes said the Cabazons and Wackenhut had entered a joint venture to produce weapons for resale.[^18] [[Wayne Reeder]], a real estate developer, told agents that he attended a demonstration at the Indio Police Department range that Hawes had asked him to attend.[^19]
Zokosky's FD-302 gives both locations. He told agents that Nichols first said the demonstration would take place on the reservation, and that Zokosky thought the Indio Police Department range would be better and asked Hawes whether it could be used.[^20] A September 21, 1992 memorandum by [[William L. McGrath]] records Zokosky's account that the demonstration was originally scheduled for the Cabazon reservation and was moved to a police firing range for security reasons.[^21] The [[Desert Sun]] of March 21, 1985 quoted Zokosky as saying that Nichols arranged a demonstration of night vision equipment "at Lake Cahuilla near La Quinta" for four military leaders, presumably from Central America, and that one observer was reportedly [[Eden Pastora]].[^10]
The Bua report states that the Riverside report lists Cross among those present, while Cross told agents he did not attend. The Bua report states that Baird's handwritten notes of the car registrations "refer only to Wayne Reeder in the Rolls Royce."[^16] The Bua report concludes: "The credible evidence is overwhelming that Brian was not there."[^16] It adds that Brian's 1981 calendar shows that he flew from Washington to New York on the afternoon of September 9 and that a limousine was ordered for him in New York on September 10, and that his airline receipt and expense records are consistent with the calendar.[^16]
### Earl Brian and Meridian Arms
The House report states that Brian "flatly contradicts Riconosciuto's claims in his own sworn statement to committee investigators."[^22] It quotes an affidavit of Brian of April 2, 1991 in which he "stated that he had never heard of, or was associated with, the so-called Wackenhut/Cabazon Indian joint venture." The House report concludes: "the committee is not in a position to make findings of fact on Dr. Brian's role."[^22]
The House report describes "a number of speculative reports and fragmentary records purporting to link [[Robert Booth Nichols]], through a company called [[Meridian Arms Corporation]], and Michael Riconosciuto to certain covert intelligence activities, including a joint venture between the Cabazon Indian Reservation and Wackenhut, Inc."[^22] It quotes Art Welmas in the [[Washington Business Journal]] of March 30, 1992: "Brian must have been involved."[^22]
Seymour wrote that "M.I.L. also controlled Meridian Arms Corporation of which Riconosciuto was briefly Vice President."[^9]
Frye told agents that he did not know Brian and had never met or seen him.[^3] Zokosky told agents that he knew what Brian looked like and that Brian was not at the demonstration.[^20]
### Footnotes
[^1]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed p. 55. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^2]: Bua report, section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed pp. 56 to 57. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^3]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Robert Frye, Coral Gables, Florida, file 74-86438, interview November 19, 1992, DocID 70002059, pages 19 to 21. https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^4]: Bua report, section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed p. 58. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^5]: Letter to the Program Branch, Treasury Board Canada, Ottawa, copy to Mr. David Dodd, Industry, Trade and Commerce Canada, re VCPC Task Force, undated, signature block "A.R. Frye and Dr. John P. Nichols, CSC/WSI Joint Venture," Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^6]: Letter, John P. Nichols to Dr. Harry Fair, Tactical Technology, Arlington, Virginia, January 20, 1983, on "Cabazon Arms" and "Cabazon Security Corporation" letterhead, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^7]: Letter, "Cabazon Security Corp./ Wackenhut Joint Venture," addressed to Peter Zokosky, March 23, 1982, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^8]: Letter over the name of Arthur Welmas, May 1 (year not printed), to La France Specialties, San Diego, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence." The heading reads "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^9]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro's Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. TrineDay, 2010, chapter 10. For the "Cabazon Arms CA 9 SMG" and "M.I.L." passages and for her account of the letter.
[^10]: John Hussar, "Crime probes tied to Nichols associates," *The Desert Sun* (Palm Springs, California), March 21, 1985, front page.
[^11]: Jim Keith, *The Octopus: Secret Government and the Death of Danny Casolaro* (Feral House, 1996), reproduction of "Casolaro's Newsclippings File" subject index, heading "CABAZON ARMS AND WACKENHUT." https://archive.org/details/jim-keith-the-octopus-secret-government-and-the-death-of-danny-casolaro_2
[^12]: United States House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, *The INSLAW Affair*, H. Rept. 102-857 (1992), p. 72. https://archive.org/details/InslawAffairInvestigativeReport
[^13]: Bua report, section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed p. 57. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^14]: Bua report, section "(ii) Riconosciuto's March 21, 1991 Affidavit," printed p. 44. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. Riconosciuto's own claims, as summarized by the report. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^15]: Newspaper clipping on INSLAW and PROMIS, undated, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence2." https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks
[^16]: Bua report, section "(ii) The September 10, 1981 Weapons Demonstration," printed pp. 61 to 66, including the Baird interview at p. 64 and the Brian calendar at p. 66. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^17]: FBI, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Sam Cross, file 74-86438, interview October 6, 1992 (transcribed December 10, 1992), DocID 70002059. https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^18]: FBI, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Sergeant Dave Baird, file 74-86438, interview October 6, 1992 (transcribed December 9, 1992), DocID 70002059. https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^19]: FBI, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Wayne Reeder, file 74-86438, interview October 5, 1992 (transcribed December 9, 1992), DocID 70002059. https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^20]: FBI, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Peter Zokosky, file 74-86438, interview October 5, 1992 (transcribed December 9, 1992), DocID 70002059, p. 3. https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^21]: William L. McGrath, memorandum, "Telephone Conversations with Pete Zokosky," September 21, 1992, in the Hadron, Inc. file (DocID 70002059, page 4). https://archive.org/download/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt/DOCID-70002059%20INSLAW%20Cabazon%20Wackenhunt_djvu.txt
[^22]: United States House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, *The INSLAW Affair*, H. Rept. 102-857 (1992), pp. 72 to 73, section "Possible connection between Earl Brian, Michael Riconosciuto, Robert Booth Nichols and the Cabazon Indian Reservation." Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/InslawAffairInvestigativeReport

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@ -26,7 +26,7 @@ relations:
- type: owned
with: "[[Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation]]"
role: "wholly owned subsidiary at Reston, Virginia"
fn: 42
fn: 44
---
Wackenhut Corporation is a security and investigative firm founded in 1954 by [[George R. Wackenhut]] and three other former [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] Special Agents. Initially named [[Special Agent Investigators]], it expanded to physical security and was renamed Wackenhut Corporation in 1958. Headquartered in [[Coral Gables, Florida|Coral Gables]], [[Florida]], Wackenhut grew to become one of the world's largest security and investigative firms, with operations across the United States and internationally. The [[San Francisco]] Chronicle described it as being "led by former officials of the [[Central Intelligence Agency]], the Federal Bureau of Investigation, National Security Agency, Defense Department and federal law enforcement."[^1][^2]
@ -118,25 +118,25 @@ Wackenhut was very active in [[El Salvador]] during the Contra war, providing em
### The Cabazon Joint Venture
A particularly controversial aspect of Wackenhut's operations was its joint venture with the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Indian tribe]] in Indio, California. Formalized on April 1, 1981, this partnership aimed to leverage the sovereign nation status of the Indian reservation to bypass federal jurisdiction and congressional prohibitions on arms exports. The venture, known as "[[Cabazon Arms]]," sought to establish a production facility for high-tech armaments and explosives for export to third-world countries, including the [[Contras]] in Nicaragua and nations in the [[Middle East]]. The firm was using the Cabazon reservation's tax-exempt status and its freedom from federal oversight to gain a competitive advantage in soliciting federal weapons projects.[^1][^2]
A particularly controversial aspect of Wackenhut's operations was its joint venture with the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon Indian tribe]] in Indio, California. In April 1981 [[Wackenhut Services]], Inc. signed a joint venture agreement with the [[Cabazon Security Corporation]], a company the Cabazons formed in early 1981. The agreement gives as the venture's primary purpose to "qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts."[^34] The venture was also called "Cabazon Arms" in correspondence and in a 1985 newspaper. Seymour wrote that the venture sought to establish a production facility for armaments and explosives for export to third-world countries, including the [[Contras]] in Nicaragua and nations in the [[Middle East]], and that the partnership aimed to leverage the sovereign nation status of the Indian reservation to bypass federal jurisdiction and congressional prohibitions on arms exports. Seymour also wrote that the firm was using the Cabazon reservation's tax-exempt status and its freedom from federal oversight to gain a competitive advantage in soliciting federal weapons projects.[^1][^2]
[[Dr. John Nichols]], the Cabazon tribal administrator and a former CIA agent who claimed experience going back to the Chilean destabilization program in the 1970s, secured a [[Department of Defense]] secret facility clearance for the reservation. He then proposed to Wackenhut the manufacture of various weapons systems, including 120mm combustible cartridge cases, 9mm machine pistols, laser-sighted assault weapons, sniper rifles, and portable rocket systems. The venture also explored the development of biological weapons. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that he was Director of Research for this joint venture; the Bua report found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture.[^34][^35] He described meetings with figures like [[Robert Frye]] (president of Wackenhut Services, Inc.), John P. Nichols, and [[Peter Zokosky]], and [[Dr. Harry Fair]] of the U.S. Army's Railgun Project at Picatinny Arsenal, where Riconosciuto's scientific expertise was noted.[^1]
[[Dr. John Nichols]], the Cabazon tribal administrator and a former CIA agent who claimed experience going back to the Chilean destabilization program in the 1970s, secured a [[Department of Defense]] secret facility clearance for the reservation. He then proposed to Wackenhut the manufacture of various weapons systems, including 120mm combustible cartridge cases, 9mm machine pistols, laser-sighted assault weapons, sniper rifles, and portable rocket systems. The venture also explored the development of biological weapons. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that he was Director of Research for this joint venture; the Bua report found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture.[^35][^36] He described meetings with figures like [[Robert Frye]] (president of Wackenhut Services, Inc.), John P. Nichols, and [[Peter Zokosky]], and [[Dr. Harry Fair]] of the U.S. Army's Railgun Project at Picatinny Arsenal, where Riconosciuto's scientific expertise was noted.[^1]
Spy reported in 1992 that Bruce Berckmans, assigned to the CIA station in Mexico City, left the agency in January 1975 "(putatively)" to become a Wackenhut international-operations vice president and left Wackenhut in 1981. According to Spy, Berckmans joined other senior Wackenhut executives in 1981 to form the company's Special Projects Division, which linked up with Nichols at the Cabazon reservation.[^36] Spy also reported that [[Eden Pastora]], seen at a night-vision test at a firing range near the reservation with Nichols and a Wackenhut executive, identified that executive, Robert Frye, as "the man from the CIA," and that Pastora later said in a conversation that he did not know Frye.[^36]
Spy reported in 1992 that Bruce Berckmans, assigned to the CIA station in Mexico City, left the agency in January 1975 "(putatively)" to become a Wackenhut international-operations vice president and left Wackenhut in 1981. According to Spy, Berckmans joined other senior Wackenhut executives in 1981 to form the company's Special Projects Division, which linked up with Nichols at the Cabazon reservation.[^37] Spy also reported that [[Eden Pastora]], seen at a night-vision test at a firing range near the reservation with Nichols and a Wackenhut executive, identified that executive, Robert Frye, as "the man from the CIA," and that Pastora later said in a conversation that he did not know Frye.[^37]
The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice states that Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded for Wackenhut when the Cabazon Security Corporation solicited capability statements in early 1981, that the April 1981 joint venture agreement was signed by Frye and by Tribal Chairman Arthur Welmas, and that the joint venture had no employees. It states that the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye and that the investigators found "no evidence to support Riconosciuto's claim that he and Earl Brian were employed by Wackenhut or by the joint venture."[^34] The report also states that the firms Michael Riconosciuto named in a call to the Hamiltons, Wackenhut Research, Inc., and Wackenhut Security, Inc., "do not exist."[^34] Riconosciuto's March 21, 1991 affidavit, which the report summarizes, states that he was director of research for the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture and that he modified PROMIS software for Wackenhut in 1983 and 1984.[^35]
The 1993 report of Judge [[Nicholas J. Bua]] for the Department of Justice states that Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., responded for Wackenhut when the Cabazon Security Corporation solicited capability statements in early 1981, that the April 1981 joint venture agreement was signed by Frye and by Tribal Chairman Arthur Welmas, and that the joint venture had no employees. It states that the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye and that the investigators found "no evidence to support Riconosciuto's claim that he and Earl Brian were employed by Wackenhut or by the joint venture."[^35] The report also states that the firms Michael Riconosciuto named in a call to the Hamiltons, Wackenhut Research, Inc., and Wackenhut Security, Inc., "do not exist."[^35] Riconosciuto's March 21, 1991 affidavit, which the report summarizes, states that he was director of research for the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture and that he modified PROMIS software for Wackenhut in 1983 and 1984.[^36]
The Bua report states that Wackenhut was interested because Cabazon Security Corporation, as a qualified minority contractor, would be eligible for government contract work under set-aside programs. The April 1981 agreement gives the primary purpose of the venture as to "qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts," and the joint venture bid on two government security contracts that it did not receive.[^37]
The Bua report states that Wackenhut was interested because Cabazon Security Corporation, as a qualified minority contractor, would be eligible for government contract work under set-aside programs. The April 1981 agreement gives the primary purpose of the venture as to "qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts," and the joint venture bid on two government security contracts that it did not receive.[^34]
The report states that Wackenhut's files contain documents showing efforts by John Philip Nichols to market night-vision goggles and rifle scopes to individuals identified as representatives of the governments of Guatemala and [[Honduras]], internal Wackenhut memoranda expressing the opinion that any such sales would require State Department approval, and preliminary applications Wackenhut filed with the State Department. It quotes Nichols's view "that the Cabazon's, as a sovereign nation, were not subject to the usual export and import controls" and states: "As far as we could tell, no sales were ever made."[^37]
The report states that Wackenhut's files contain documents showing efforts by John Philip Nichols to market night-vision goggles and rifle scopes to individuals identified as representatives of the governments of Guatemala and [[Honduras]], internal Wackenhut memoranda expressing the opinion that any such sales would require State Department approval, and preliminary applications Wackenhut filed with the State Department. It quotes Nichols's view "that the Cabazon's, as a sovereign nation, were not subject to the usual export and import controls" and states: "As far as we could tell, no sales were ever made."[^34]
The report places a night-vision demonstration on the evening of September 10, 1981 at the Lake Cahuilla gun range in Indio.[^37] FBI FD-302s of interviews with [[Wayne Reeder]], Indio police chief [[Sam Cross]] and Sergeant [[Dave Baird]], taken in October 1992, place it at the Indio Police Department range.[^38]
The report places a night-vision demonstration on the evening of September 10, 1981 at the Lake Cahuilla gun range in Indio.[^34] FBI FD-302s of interviews with [[Wayne Reeder]], Indio police chief [[Sam Cross]] and Sergeant [[Dave Baird]], taken in October 1992, place it at the Indio Police Department range.[^38] The Bua report also quotes Baird as saying that Police Chief Sam Cross told him that City Manager Phil Hawes "had arranged for a demonstration by the Cabazons to take place at the Lake Cahuilla gun range" (printed p. 64).[^39] Baird's own FD-302 of October 6, 1992 states that Hawes arranged for the police department to provide the range and security.[^38] The Desert Sun of March 21, 1985 quoted Zokosky as saying that Nichols arranged a demonstration of night vision equipment "at Lake Cahuilla near La Quinta," while his FD-302 of October 5, 1992 records that the Indio Police Department range was used.[^40]
### PROMIS Software Modification
Within the Cabazon Joint Venture, Michael Riconosciuto claimed to have modified the proprietary [[PROMIS]] computer software. This modification, allegedly spearheaded by [[Earl Brian]] and made available through [[Peter Videnieks]] of the [[Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]], was intended to facilitate the worldwide implementation of PROMIS in law enforcement and intelligence agencies. Riconosciuto's affidavit detailed his work on the software, including specific modifications for the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|RCMP]] and the [[Canadian Security Intelligence Service|CSIS]] in [[Canada]]. This alleged pirating and modification of the PROMIS software became a central component of the [[PROMIS Software Scandal]].[^1]
It was here that the "trap door" was built into the U.S. version of PROMIS, based on [[Israel|Israeli]] information. This operation was conducted by a small CIA group, headed by [[Robert Gates]], who sought to keep it secret from the NSA due to interagency competition.[^39]
It was here that the "trap door" was built into the U.S. version of PROMIS, based on [[Israel|Israeli]] information. This operation was conducted by a small CIA group, headed by [[Robert Gates]], who sought to keep it secret from the NSA due to interagency competition.[^41]
### Danny Casolaro Investigation
@ -148,23 +148,23 @@ Beyond the Cabazon venture, Wackenhut was also implicated in other international
### Epstein
On July 13, 2009, [[Story Cowles]] wrote to [[Jeffrey Epstein]]: "Would you like to meet the wackenhut security candidates at your house, FSF or Jacks office. Friday is best for them." Epstein replied: "jacks off."[^40] A 24-page set of security officer reports on forms headed "G4S Wackenhut" covers the post at "358 El Brillo," Epstein's house in [[Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]]; one report, for the night shift of November 16, 2009, marks the officer as armed and records hourly perimeter checks, an office door found ajar and a gym door open, and the officer monitoring the main entrance.[^41]
On July 13, 2009, [[Story Cowles]] wrote to [[Jeffrey Epstein]]: "Would you like to meet the wackenhut security candidates at your house, FSF or Jacks office. Friday is best for them." Epstein replied: "jacks off."[^42] A 24-page set of security officer reports on forms headed "G4S Wackenhut" covers the post at "358 El Brillo," Epstein's house in [[Palm Beach, Florida|Palm Beach]]; one report, for the night shift of November 16, 2009, marks the officer as armed and records hourly perimeter checks, an office door found ajar and a gym door open, and the officer monitoring the main entrance.[^43]
### Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation
[[Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation]] (WATCO) was a wholly owned subsidiary at Reston, Virginia, which the corporation's annual reports for 1985 and 1986 describe as a unique technical consulting firm offering advanced security and engineering services to government and industry, including sensor design, signal processing, systems integration, robotics and mobile intrusion detection systems, special weapons systems security and technology transfer. It contained the NUSAC division (nuclear material control and accounting, quality assurance), a Security Programs division and a Systems division.[^42] The 1985 report states that the Security Programs division was selected to formulate the conceptual design of the security system for the nuclear device assembly facility to be built at the Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site; the 1986 report adds selection for the security system conceptual analysis and design engineering of the new National Training Center of the Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, and completion of a turnkey integrated perimeter and access control system for the federal government at an overseas location.[^42]
[[Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation]] (WATCO) was a wholly owned subsidiary at Reston, Virginia, which the corporation's annual reports for 1985 and 1986 describe as a unique technical consulting firm offering advanced security and engineering services to government and industry, including sensor design, signal processing, systems integration, robotics and mobile intrusion detection systems, special weapons systems security and technology transfer. It contained the NUSAC division (nuclear material control and accounting, quality assurance), a Security Programs division and a Systems division.[^44] The 1985 report states that the Security Programs division was selected to formulate the conceptual design of the security system for the nuclear device assembly facility to be built at the Department of Energy's Nevada Test Site; the 1986 report adds selection for the security system conceptual analysis and design engineering of the new National Training Center of the Department of State's Foreign Service Institute, and completion of a turnkey integrated perimeter and access control system for the federal government at an overseas location.[^44]
The Florida corporation behind it, document 599071, was filed on December 29, 1978, the day after the corporation announced that it had bought the assets of NUSAC, Inc., a nuclear safeguards consultancy founded in 1968 as the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation and headed by [[Ralph F. Lumb]]. It was renamed Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation on May 8, 1984, Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc. on January 9, 1990, and dissolved administratively on August 26, 1994.[^43][^44] In spring 1984 the Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management reported that [[Ralph E. Caudle]], formerly director of the Department of Energy's Office of Safeguards and Security, had been named WATCO's president and that the Systems Division, Advanced Technologies Division, Security Programs Division and NUSAC had been merged into it.[^45]
The Florida corporation behind it, document 599071, was filed on December 29, 1978, the day after the corporation announced that it had bought the assets of NUSAC, Inc., a nuclear safeguards consultancy founded in 1968 as the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation and headed by [[Ralph F. Lumb]]. It was renamed Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation on May 8, 1984, Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc. on January 9, 1990, and dissolved administratively on August 26, 1994.[^45][^46] In spring 1984 the Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management reported that [[Ralph E. Caudle]], formerly director of the Department of Energy's Office of Safeguards and Security, had been named WATCO's president and that the Systems Division, Advanced Technologies Division, Security Programs Division and NUSAC had been merged into it.[^47]
The Wackenhut annual report covering 1984 states that the Department of Energy chose Wackenhut that year to establish and operate a Safeguards and Security Central Training Academy at Albuquerque under a three-year, $5 million contract that Wackenhut Services, Inc., won against 92 companies, and that Wackenhut had guarded the Nevada Test Site since 1965.[^46] An annual report for 1989 lists Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc., at Fairfax, Virginia, with Joseph A. Navarro as president and with a Defense Systems Analysis Group serving the Army's Belvoir Research, Development and Engineering Center and the Army Survivability Management Office.[^47] A Defense Technical Information Center record lists the Fairfax company as the performing organization for a 1989 "Guide to Camouflage for Developers."[^48] The Fourth Circuit described the Center in 1992 as a subsidiary of Wackenhut International, Inc.[^49] The corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, states that the Wackenhut Monitoring Systems and Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center divisions were sold or discontinued in 1993, with combined operating losses of about $2 million that year.[^50]
The Wackenhut annual report covering 1984 states that the Department of Energy chose Wackenhut that year to establish and operate a Safeguards and Security Central Training Academy at Albuquerque under a three-year, $5 million contract that Wackenhut Services, Inc., won against 92 companies, and that Wackenhut had guarded the Nevada Test Site since 1965.[^48] An annual report for 1989 lists Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc., at Fairfax, Virginia, with Joseph A. Navarro as president and with a Defense Systems Analysis Group serving the Army's Belvoir Research, Development and Engineering Center and the Army Survivability Management Office.[^49] A Defense Technical Information Center record lists the Fairfax company as the performing organization for a 1989 "Guide to Camouflage for Developers."[^50] The Fourth Circuit described the Center in 1992 as a subsidiary of Wackenhut International, Inc.[^51] The corporation's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, states that the Wackenhut Monitoring Systems and Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center divisions were sold or discontinued in 1993, with combined operating losses of about $2 million that year.[^52]
A Wackenhut newsletter describes WATCO as specializing in applied research and development in nuclear safeguards and security policy, programs and systems, places it beside Stellar Systems, Inc., of Santa Clara, California, and states that its Security Programs Division worked with the Wackenhut Training Institute. WATCO developed a Touchscreen Station, a security station replacing multiple keystroke entries with single touch commands for alarms, access control, closed-circuit television and other sensors, and the newsletter notes that three WATCO officers, each a former Army officer with law enforcement or security experience, earned Certified Protection Professional status in the same year.[^51] A Wackenhut nuclear services brochure in the same papers also lists a Wackenhut Anti-Terrorism and Crisis Management Division.[^52]
A Wackenhut newsletter describes WATCO as specializing in applied research and development in nuclear safeguards and security policy, programs and systems, places it beside Stellar Systems, Inc., of Santa Clara, California, and states that its Security Programs Division worked with the Wackenhut Training Institute. WATCO developed a Touchscreen Station, a security station replacing multiple keystroke entries with single touch commands for alarms, access control, closed-circuit television and other sensors, and the newsletter notes that three WATCO officers, each a former Army officer with law enforcement or security experience, earned Certified Protection Professional status in the same year.[^53] A Wackenhut nuclear services brochure in the same papers also lists a Wackenhut Anti-Terrorism and Crisis Management Division.[^54]
From September 1987 WATCO's vice president for national security studies and programs was [[James B. Motley]], a retired Army colonel who in 1984 and 1985 had been director of terrorist research and low-intensity conflict studies at the [[National Institute for Public Policy]]. A June 20, 1990 resume packet of [[Counter Terrorism Consultants, Inc.]], the Washington firm of the former FBI counterterrorism supervisor [[Carter Cornick]] and the Letelier prosecutor [[Eugene Propper]], lists him as an associate of that firm and states that at WATCO he directs operational analyses and assessments of national security issues.[^53]
From September 1987 WATCO's vice president for national security studies and programs was [[James B. Motley]], a retired Army colonel who in 1984 and 1985 had been director of terrorist research and low-intensity conflict studies at the [[National Institute for Public Policy]]. A June 20, 1990 resume packet of [[Counter Terrorism Consultants, Inc.]], the Washington firm of the former FBI counterterrorism supervisor [[Carter Cornick]] and the Letelier prosecutor [[Eugene Propper]], lists him as an associate of that firm and states that at WATCO he directs operational analyses and assessments of national security issues.[^55]
### End of Wackenhut
The Wackenhut/Cabazon Joint Venture was terminated on October 1, 1984, following Robert Frye's heart attack. Its activities subsequently became the subject of numerous investigations by entities such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee on Inslaw]], [[U.S. Customs]], and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as various police agencies and media outlets worldwide.[^1]
In the Desert Sun of March 21, 1985, Wackenhut President Bob Frye said: "We severed our relations with the tribe over a year ago."[^40] Its activities subsequently became the subject of numerous investigations by entities such as the U.S. Department of Justice, the [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee on Inslaw]], [[U.S. Customs]], and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as various police agencies and media outlets worldwide.[^1]
### Footnotes
@ -201,23 +201,25 @@ The Wackenhut/Cabazon Joint Venture was terminated on October 1, 1984, following
[^31]: Golrick, Philip D. Memorandum to David G. Marwell, "Phone Conversation with Joseph Oster," January 19, 1996, and letters and subpoena to Southern Research Company, Assassination Records Review Board electronic files of Philip G. Golrick (OSTER.WPD, SOURES.WPD); Central Intelligence Agency, report of investigation, September 13, 1960, JFK record 104-10109-10379, p. 14; Orleans Parish Grand Jury, testimony of Arthur Bidderson, January 9, 1969; Assassination Records Review Board, file inventory (082395.WPD). All consulted at the Mary Ferrell Foundation archive.
[^32]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Domestic Intelligence Division, informative note, April 14, 1967, JFK record 124-10369-10048; Assassination Records Review Board, public hearing transcript, testimony of James DiEugenio, p. 89; FBI Miami, memorandum of May 10, 1967, headquarters file 62-109060, section 129, p. 166.
[^33]: Osborn, Howard J. Memorandum for the record, November 8, 1967, JFK record 104-10133-10076.
[^34]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture, printed pp. 55 to 58 and footnotes 32 and 35. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^35]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), printed pp. 42 to 43 (March 21, 1991 affidavit, paragraph 44 as quoted).
[^36]: John Connolly, "Inside the Shadow CIA," *Spy,* September 1992, pp. 46-54. https://www.prop1.org/legal/prisons/92wack.htm
[^37]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture, printed pp. 55 to 58. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^34]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture, printed pp. 55 to 58. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^35]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture, printed pp. 55 to 58 and footnotes 32 and 35. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^36]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), printed pp. 42 to 43 (March 21, 1991 affidavit, paragraph 44 as quoted).
[^37]: John Connolly, "Inside the Shadow CIA," *Spy,* September 1992, pp. 46-54. https://www.prop1.org/legal/prisons/92wack.htm
[^38]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302s, file 74-86438: Wayne Reeder (October 5, 1992), Sam Cross and Dave Baird (October 6, 1992). https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^39]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. Sheridan Square Press, 1992 (TrineDay reprint, 2015).
[^40]: Epstein, Jeffrey, reply to Story Cowles, "Re: Wackenhut," email, July 13, 2009, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01829732. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01829732.pdf
[^41]: G4S Wackenhut, Security Officer Reports, client facility "358 El Brillo," November 2009, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01157725. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01157725.pdf
[^42]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual reports for 1985 and 1986, sections on Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^43]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 8, no. 1 (Spring 1979), "Wackenhut Corporation Purchases NUSAC, Inc."; vol. 4, no. 1 (Spring 1975), "NUSAC" (company established 1968 as the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation). https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_08/V-8_1.pdf and https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_04/V-4_1.pdf
[^44]: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, "Detail by Entity Name" and "Name History," document 599071. https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResults/EntityName/WACKENHUT%20ADVANCED/Page1
[^45]: Nuclear Materials Management, vol. 13, no. 1 (Spring 1984), "Ralph E. Caudle Heads Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation." https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_13/V-13_1.pdf
[^46]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report covering 1984, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks (passages on the Safeguards and Security Central Training Academy and the Nevada Test Site).
[^47]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report placed as 1989, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks (the last pages carry 1989 results and a first-quarter 1990 interim report), pages on the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center and the list of major subsidiaries.
[^48]: Defense Technical Information Center, accession ADA216700, citation record. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA216700
[^49]: Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc. v. Sygnetron Protection Systems, Inc., 979 F.2d 980 (4th Cir. 1992). https://static.case.law/f2d/979/cases/0980-01.json
[^50]: The Wackenhut Corporation, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, filed March 23, 1995. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104030/0000912057-95-001626.txt
[^51]: Wackenhut newsletter (titled *Pipeline* in the scan), undated issue, passages on The Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, WATCO's Touchscreen Station and "New CPP's at WATCO," Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Newsletters," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^52]: Wackenhut Corporation, nuclear services brochure, undated, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut - Newsletters," https://archive.org/details/ddosecrets_casolaro_files.
[^53]: CounterTerrorism Consultants, L.P., "Proudly Presents The Resumes of its Associates," fax copy dated June 20, 1990, pages 141 P10 and 141 P11, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Promotional Material," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^39]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(ii) The September 10, 1981 Weapons Demonstration," printed p. 64. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^40]: John Hussar, "Crime probes tied to Nichols associates," *The Desert Sun* (Palm Springs, California), March 21, 1985, front page.
[^41]: Ben-Menashe, Ari. *Profits of War: Inside the Secret U.S.-Israeli Arms Network*. Sheridan Square Press, 1992 (TrineDay reprint, 2015).
[^42]: Epstein, Jeffrey, reply to Story Cowles, "Re: Wackenhut," email, July 13, 2009, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01829732. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%2010/EFTA01829732.pdf
[^43]: G4S Wackenhut, Security Officer Reports, client facility "358 El Brillo," November 2009, U.S. Department of Justice, Epstein Library, EFTA01157725. https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/DataSet%209/EFTA01157725.pdf
[^44]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual reports for 1985 and 1986, sections on Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^45]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 8, no. 1 (Spring 1979), "Wackenhut Corporation Purchases NUSAC, Inc."; vol. 4, no. 1 (Spring 1975), "NUSAC" (company established 1968 as the Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation). https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_08/V-8_1.pdf and https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_04/V-4_1.pdf
[^46]: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, "Detail by Entity Name" and "Name History," document 599071. https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResults/EntityName/WACKENHUT%20ADVANCED/Page1
[^47]: Nuclear Materials Management, vol. 13, no. 1 (Spring 1984), "Ralph E. Caudle Heads Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation." https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_13/V-13_1.pdf
[^48]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report covering 1984, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks (passages on the Safeguards and Security Central Training Academy and the Nevada Test Site).
[^49]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report placed as 1989, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks (the last pages carry 1989 results and a first-quarter 1990 interim report), pages on the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center and the list of major subsidiaries.
[^50]: Defense Technical Information Center, accession ADA216700, citation record. https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA216700
[^51]: Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc. v. Sygnetron Protection Systems, Inc., 979 F.2d 980 (4th Cir. 1992). https://static.case.law/f2d/979/cases/0980-01.json
[^52]: The Wackenhut Corporation, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, filed March 23, 1995. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104030/0000912057-95-001626.txt
[^53]: Wackenhut newsletter (titled *Pipeline* in the scan), undated issue, passages on The Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, WATCO's Touchscreen Station and "New CPP's at WATCO," Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Newsletters," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^54]: Wackenhut Corporation, nuclear services brochure, undated, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut - Newsletters," https://archive.org/details/ddosecrets_casolaro_files.
[^55]: CounterTerrorism Consultants, L.P., "Proudly Presents The Resumes of its Associates," fax copy dated June 20, 1990, pages 141 P10 and 141 P11, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Promotional Material," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.

68
60 - PLACES/REGIONS/Cabazon Indian Reservation.md
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@ -24,39 +24,39 @@ The Cabazon Indian Reservation is located near Indio, [[California]], and is hom
### Joint Venture with Wackenhut Corporation
On April 1, 1981, the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians formalized a joint venture with Wackenhut Corporation, primarily to establish a production facility named "[[Cabazon Arms]]" on the reservation. This partnership was designed to manufacture high-tech arms and explosives for export to third-world countries, including the Contras in Nicaragua and nations in the [[Middle East]], effectively circumventing U.S. arms export regulations. The [[San Francisco]] Chronicle described the venture as "a series of international military and security projects that seem to be lifted from the pages of a spy novel."[^1][^2]
In April 1981 the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians entered a joint venture with [[Wackenhut Services]], Inc., a subsidiary of Wackenhut Corporation, through the [[Cabazon Security Corporation]] that the Cabazons had formed in early 1981. The venture is called "Cabazon Arms" in correspondence and in a 1985 newspaper. Seymour wrote that the venture was designed to manufacture high-tech arms and explosives for export to third-world countries, including the Contras in Nicaragua and nations in the [[Middle East]]. The [[San Francisco]] Chronicle described the venture as "a series of international military and security projects that seem to be lifted from the pages of a spy novel."[^1][^2]
[[Dr. John Nichols]], the Cabazon tribal administrator and a former [[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] agent who claimed involvement in the agency's Chilean destabilization program in the 1970s, was instrumental in this venture. He obtained a [[Department of Defense]] secret facility clearance for the reservation to conduct various research projects. Nichols proposed to Wackenhut the production of a range of weapons systems, including 120mm combustible cartridge cases, 9mm machine pistols, laser-sighted assault weapons, sniper rifles, portable rocket systems, night-vision scopes, and battlefield communications systems. The joint venture also explored the development of biological weapons.[^1][^2]
The Justice Department's special counsel, [[Nicholas J. Bua|Nicholas Bua]], reported that "During early 1981 the Cabazons formed a company known as Cabazon Security Corporation ("CSC")." According to [[Robert Frye|A. Robert Frye]], as the report records, CSC solicited capabilities statements from a number of security firms, and Frye, then president of [[Wackenhut Services]], responded for Wackenhut. The report states that "The joint venture agreement indicates that it was the primary purpose of the joint venture to 'qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts.'"[^3] A [[Los Angeles Magazine]] article by Jan Golab, September 1983, describes "the Cabazon Indian Security Corporation, a joint venture with Wackenhut that handles security at the reservation and bids for government contracts set aside for minority groups."[^4]
The Justice Department's special counsel, [[Nicholas J. Bua|Nicholas Bua]], reported that "During early 1981 the Cabazons formed a company known as Cabazon Security Corporation ("CSC")." According to [[Robert Frye|A. Robert Frye]], as the report records, CSC solicited capabilities statements from a number of security firms, and Frye, then president of Wackenhut Services, responded for Wackenhut. The report states that "The joint venture agreement indicates that it was the primary purpose of the joint venture to 'qualify for, bid on, and obtain government guard service contracts.'"[^3] A [[Los Angeles Magazine]] article by Jan Golab, September 1983, describes "the Cabazon Indian Security Corporation, a joint venture with Wackenhut that handles security at the reservation and bids for government contracts set aside for minority groups."[^4]
The Bua report states that Wackenhut was interested because Cabazon Security Corporation, as a qualified minority contractor, would be eligible for government contract work under set-aside programs, and that the joint venture bid on two government security contracts that it did not receive. It states that Wackenhut's files contain documents showing Nichols's efforts to market night-vision goggles and rifle scopes to individuals identified as representatives of the governments of [[Guatemala]] and [[Honduras]], and that "It was Nichols' view that the Cabazon's, as a sovereign nation, were not subject to the usual export and import controls." The files also contain internal Wackenhut memoranda expressing the opinion that such sales would require State Department approval and preliminary applications filed with the State Department; "As far as we could tell, no sales were ever made."[^3]
The report places the September 10, 1981 night-vision demonstration at the Lake Cahuilla gun range in Indio.[^3] FBI FD-302s of interviews with Wayne Reeder, Indio police chief [[Sam Cross]] and Sergeant [[Dave Baird]], conducted in October 1992, place it at the Indio Police Department range. Cross told agents that he assigned four or five officers to attend and that, if automatic weapons were present, they were expected to arrest Nichols.[^5]
The report places the September 10, 1981 night-vision demonstration at the Lake Cahuilla gun range in Indio.[^3] FBI FD-302s of interviews with Wayne Reeder, Indio police chief [[Sam Cross]] and Sergeant [[Dave Baird]], conducted in October 1992, place it at the Indio Police Department range. Cross told agents that he assigned four or five officers to attend and that, if automatic weapons were present, they were expected to arrest Nichols.[^5] The Bua report quotes Baird as saying that Police Chief Cross told him City Manager Phil Hawes had arranged a demonstration "to take place at the Lake Cahuilla gun range."[^6] Baird's FD-302 of October 6, 1992 says Hawes told him the police department would provide the range.[^5] The Desert Sun of March 21, 1985 quoted Zokosky as saying that Nichols arranged a demonstration of night vision equipment "at Lake Cahuilla near La Quinta," while his FD-302 of October 5, 1992 records that the Indio Police Department range was used.[^7]
In May 1983, the Cabazons solicited San Diego arms manufacturer [[Tim LaFrance]] to build an arms factory on their reservation. Their letter to LaFrance Specialties stated: "We need the know-how from an organization engaged in the manufacturing of armaments of various types, all consisting of technology not currently found on the marketplace."[^2]
The casino's first cardroom manager was [[Rocco Zangari]], who managed the cardroom from September 1980 until his discharge in November 1981.[^6] [[Cheri Seymour]] wrote that he was a former bookie.[^1] In 1988 he pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges in Los Angeles; the 1989 Press-Enterprise reports the plea, a sentence of five years' probation and a $2,000 fine, and an indictment that identified him as an associate of [[Peter Milano]].[^7]
The casino's first cardroom manager was [[Rocco Zangari]], who managed the cardroom from September 1980 until his discharge in November 1981.[^8] [[Cheri Seymour]] wrote that he was a former bookie.[^1] In 1988 he pleaded guilty to federal racketeering charges in Los Angeles; the 1989 Press-Enterprise reports the plea, a sentence of five years' probation and a $2,000 fine, and an indictment that identified him as an associate of [[Peter Milano]].[^9]
[[Wayne Reeder]], a real estate developer, told FBI agents on October 5, 1992 that he had built the casino for the Cabazon Indians and had received a percentage under an agreement made when he built it.[^8] The Bua report describes the casino building as the only building on the reservation in the early 1980s, with a mobile trailer behind it used as a small office for the Cabazons and the casino operation.[^9]
[[Wayne Reeder]], a real estate developer, told FBI agents on October 5, 1992 that he had built the casino for the Cabazon Indians and had received a percentage under an agreement made when he built it.[^10] The Bua report describes the casino building as the only building on the reservation in the early 1980s, with a mobile trailer behind it used as a small office for the Cabazons and the casino operation.[^11]
### Casino Establishment and Bankruptcy
In October 1980 the Cabazon Band established on the reservation the Cabazon Indian Casino, an unincorporated company consisting of a card parlor, restaurant and bar, employing about 75 people whose wages were paid from casino revenues.[^10] The casino was located on tribal trust land. On December 10, 1981, the casino filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11. The petition was signed by [[John Paul Nichols]] as "Project Manager," and it described the casino as a co-partnership whose listed members included the tribal chairman and other tribal members alongside Nichols, a non-Indian.[^6]
In October 1980 the Cabazon Band established on the reservation the Cabazon Indian Casino, an unincorporated company consisting of a card parlor, restaurant and bar, employing about 75 people whose wages were paid from casino revenues.[^12] The casino was located on tribal trust land. On December 10, 1981, the casino filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11. The petition was signed by [[John Paul Nichols]] as "Project Manager," and it described the casino as a co-partnership whose listed members included the tribal chairman and other tribal members alongside Nichols, a non-Indian.[^8]
A Ninth Circuit bankruptcy appellate panel reversed summary judgment in a suit brought by the discharged cardroom manager in 1983, finding a material question of fact about whether the casino was a partnership with members outside the protection of 25 U.S.C. § 81.[^6] In February 1986 a Ninth Circuit bankruptcy appellate panel affirmed a ruling that the casino was not exempt from federal unemployment and employment taxes, on an Internal Revenue Service proof of claim for 1981 employment taxes of $181,530.24 (FICA) and $5,614.11 (FUTA).[^10]
A Ninth Circuit bankruptcy appellate panel reversed summary judgment in a suit brought by the discharged cardroom manager in 1983, finding a material question of fact about whether the casino was a partnership with members outside the protection of 25 U.S.C. § 81.[^8] In February 1986 a Ninth Circuit bankruptcy appellate panel affirmed a ruling that the casino was not exempt from federal unemployment and employment taxes, on an Internal Revenue Service proof of claim for 1981 employment taxes of $181,530.24 (FICA) and $5,614.11 (FUTA).[^12]
A March 20, 1988 article reports that the tribe then owed casino debts of $567,577 to 45 creditors against assets of $123,859, and that settlement of the case depended on a $200,000 loan from Southwest Gaming Inc.[^11]
A March 20, 1988 article reports that the tribe then owed casino debts of $567,577 to 45 creditors against assets of $123,859, and that settlement of the case depended on a $200,000 loan from Southwest Gaming Inc.[^13]
### Cardroom Management Agreement
The [[Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit]] wrote that "Although this agreement appears to have been only between Zangari and PN Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation, it was also signed by [[Arthur Welmas]], Chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians." The agreement was dated September 25, 1980. The panel stated that it did not have "a sufficient record to determine whether Zangari's agreement was with the Casino or only with PN Associates, Inc." It noted that the casino's Chapter 11 petition described the casino as "a co-partnership consisting of" a list of members that included "Arthur Welmas, President/chairman" and "John Paul Nichols, Project Manager/Employee." The panel stated: "If it were merely one enterprise of the Cabazon Band, as its counsel argues, the filing should have been on behalf of the entire tribe."[^6]
The [[Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit]] wrote that "Although this agreement appears to have been only between Zangari and PN Associates, Inc., a Delaware corporation, it was also signed by [[Arthur Welmas]], Chairman of the Cabazon Band of Mission Indians." The agreement was dated September 25, 1980. The panel stated that it did not have "a sufficient record to determine whether Zangari's agreement was with the Casino or only with PN Associates, Inc." It noted that the casino's Chapter 11 petition described the casino as "a co-partnership consisting of" a list of members that included "Arthur Welmas, President/chairman" and "John Paul Nichols, Project Manager/Employee." The panel stated: "If it were merely one enterprise of the Cabazon Band, as its counsel argues, the filing should have been on behalf of the entire tribe."[^8]
### Raids and Litigation, 1980 to 1988
On May 24, 1980 the Cabazon Band enacted Tribal Ordinance No. 5.7, which regulated the card games of draw poker, lowball draw poker and panguingue and provided for card clubs on the reservation. On October 18, 1980 Indio Chief of Police C. Samuel Cross and several members of the [[Indio Police Department]] entered the card club and issued citations to more than 100 members, employees and non-members of the Band. The Band sued in October 1980; the district court denied a temporary restraining order, granted a preliminary injunction, then granted summary judgment to the [[City of Indio]], and later restored the injunction pending appeal. On December 14, 1982 the [[Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals]] reversed in [[Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. City of Indio]], 694 F.2d 634, holding the city's 1970 annexation of part of the reservation void for want of the consent of the United States and the Band.[^12]
On May 24, 1980 the Cabazon Band enacted Tribal Ordinance No. 5.7, which regulated the card games of draw poker, lowball draw poker and panguingue and provided for card clubs on the reservation. On October 18, 1980 Indio Chief of Police C. Samuel Cross and several members of the [[Indio Police Department]] entered the card club and issued citations to more than 100 members, employees and non-members of the Band. The Band sued in October 1980; the district court denied a temporary restraining order, granted a preliminary injunction, then granted summary judgment to the [[City of Indio]], and later restored the injunction pending appeal. On December 14, 1982 the [[Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals]] reversed in [[Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. City of Indio]], 694 F.2d 634, holding the city's 1970 annexation of part of the reservation void for want of the consent of the United States and the Band.[^14]
Dr. John Philip Nichols told Los Angeles Magazine in September 1983 that on the night the casino opened "the city police came out in force" and "They had riot guns, helmets."[^4] On November 5, 1984 Judge [[Laughlin Waters]] ruled in Los Angeles for the Cabazon and [[Morongo Band of Mission Indians|Morongo]] bands against Riverside County and the state, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed in [[Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. County of Riverside]], 783 F.2d 900 (1986).[^13][^14] The Supreme Court affirmed in [[California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians]], 480 U.S. 202 (February 25, 1987), holding that "the State's interest in preventing the infiltration of the tribal bingo enterprises by organized crime does not justify state regulation of the tribal bingo enterprises in light of the compelling federal and tribal interests supporting them."[^15] The [[Indian Gaming Regulatory Act]] was enacted on October 17, 1988 as Public Law 100-497.[^16]
Dr. John Philip Nichols told Los Angeles Magazine in September 1983 that on the night the casino opened "the city police came out in force" and "They had riot guns, helmets."[^4] On November 5, 1984 Judge [[Laughlin Waters]] ruled in Los Angeles for the Cabazon and [[Morongo Band of Mission Indians|Morongo]] bands against Riverside County and the state, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed in [[Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. County of Riverside]], 783 F.2d 900 (1986).[^15][^16] The Supreme Court affirmed in [[California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians]], 480 U.S. 202 (February 25, 1987), holding that "the State's interest in preventing the infiltration of the tribal bingo enterprises by organized crime does not justify state regulation of the tribal bingo enterprises in light of the compelling federal and tribal interests supporting them."[^17] The [[Indian Gaming Regulatory Act]] was enacted on October 17, 1988 as Public Law 100-497.[^18]
### Contra Connection
@ -64,11 +64,11 @@ Contra leader [[Eden Pastora]] visited a firing range near the reservation for a
### Desert Oasis Indian Casino and Southwest Gaming
In July 1986 [[Don Speer]] of [[Southwest Gaming Inc.]] of [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] entered into a contract with the Cabazons and renamed the poker club the Desert Oasis Indian Casino. According to court papers cited by the Press-Enterprise, the contract was approved by the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] and Speer's background was cleared by the FBI before he joined the venture. The article describes a five-year management contract under which the tribe was initially guaranteed $225,000 a year; the reorganization plan filed with the bankruptcy court guaranteed the Cabazons $765,000 on the first $3,656,000 or less of gross revenues in the first year.[^11] Southwest Gaming lifted the tribe out of bankruptcy court in March 1988 by providing a loan to pay off creditors.[^17] On July 20, 1989 Speer pleaded innocent in Los Angeles County to charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft and attempted grand theft in connection with operations at the [[California Bell Club]], which Southwest Gaming also managed; on September 20, 1989 the Press-Enterprise reported that the charges would be dismissed on September 28 when Speer and a Southwest Gaming vice president repaid around $70,000 they had been accused of embezzling, under a civil compromise with no admission of wrongdoing.[^17][^18]
In July 1986 [[Don Speer]] of [[Southwest Gaming Inc.]] of [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]] entered into a contract with the Cabazons and renamed the poker club the Desert Oasis Indian Casino. According to court papers cited by the Press-Enterprise, the contract was approved by the [[Bureau of Indian Affairs]] and Speer's background was cleared by the FBI before he joined the venture. The article describes a five-year management contract under which the tribe was initially guaranteed $225,000 a year; the reorganization plan filed with the bankruptcy court guaranteed the Cabazons $765,000 on the first $3,656,000 or less of gross revenues in the first year.[^13] Southwest Gaming lifted the tribe out of bankruptcy court in March 1988 by providing a loan to pay off creditors.[^19] On July 20, 1989 Speer pleaded innocent in Los Angeles County to charges of conspiracy to commit grand theft, grand theft and attempted grand theft in connection with operations at the [[California Bell Club]], which Southwest Gaming also managed; on September 20, 1989 the Press-Enterprise reported that the charges would be dismissed on September 28 when Speer and a Southwest Gaming vice president repaid around $70,000 they had been accused of embezzling, under a civil compromise with no admission of wrongdoing.[^19][^20]
### PROMIS Software Modification
[[Michael Riconosciuto]] stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that he had served as the Director of Research for this joint venture; the report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture, which had no employees.[^19] He claimed to have modified the proprietary [[PROMIS]] computer software at the Wackenhut facility on the reservation. This modified software, allegedly made available by [[Earl Brian]] through [[Peter Videnieks]] of the [[Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]], was intended for worldwide implementation in law enforcement and intelligence agencies, leading to the [[PROMIS Software Scandal]]. Riconosciuto's affidavit detailed specific modifications for the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|RCMP]] and the [[Canadian Security Intelligence Service|CSIS]] in [[Canada]].[^1]
[[Michael Riconosciuto]] stated in a March 21, 1991 affidavit that he had served as the Director of Research for this joint venture; the report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua found no evidence that he was employed by Wackenhut or the joint venture, which had no employees.[^21] He claimed to have modified the proprietary [[PROMIS]] computer software at the Wackenhut facility on the reservation. This modified software, allegedly made available by [[Earl Brian]] through [[Peter Videnieks]] of the [[Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]], was intended for worldwide implementation in law enforcement and intelligence agencies, leading to the [[PROMIS Software Scandal]]. Riconosciuto's affidavit detailed specific modifications for the [[Royal Canadian Mounted Police|RCMP]] and the [[Canadian Security Intelligence Service|CSIS]] in [[Canada]].[^1]
Frequent visitors to the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture included Peter Videnieks and Earl Brian. The venture maintained close liaison with elements of the [[United States]], including representatives of intelligence, military, and law enforcement agencies.[^1]
@ -80,11 +80,11 @@ The Bua report states that the West Virginia State Police Crime Laboratory found
### Termination and Investigations
The Wackenhut/Cabazon Joint Venture was terminated on October 1, 1984. Following its termination, the activities conducted on the Cabazon Indian Reservation became the subject of numerous investigations by various governmental and law enforcement bodies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee on Inslaw]], [[U.S. Customs]], and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as police agencies and media worldwide.[^1]
In the Desert Sun of March 21, 1985, Wackenhut President Bob Frye said: "We severed our relations with the tribe over a year ago."[^7] The activities conducted on the Cabazon Indian Reservation became the subject of numerous investigations by various governmental and law enforcement bodies, including the U.S. Department of Justice, the [[United States House of Representatives Committee on the Judiciary|House Judiciary Committee on Inslaw]], [[U.S. Customs]], and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, as well as police agencies and media worldwide.[^1]
On February 8, 1989, the Special Committee on Investigations of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Senator [[Dennis DeConcini]], heard a witness listed under the fictitious name "Marty." The Press-Enterprise reported that he said the Cabazon reservation was involved with organized crime and gave no specifics on Cabazon.[^7] Robert Morehouse of the California Attorney General's office submitted a paper to the same hearing describing the casino's hiring of Zangari, the 1981 bankruptcy and John Philip Nichols's May 1985 plea of no contest to two charges of solicitation for murder.[^20] Arthur Welmas replied in writing that the testimony was unsubstantiated hearsay.[^21]
On February 8, 1989, the Special Committee on Investigations of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, chaired by Senator [[Dennis DeConcini]], heard a witness listed under the fictitious name "Marty." The Press-Enterprise reported that he said the Cabazon reservation was involved with organized crime and gave no specifics on Cabazon.[^9] Robert Morehouse of the California Attorney General's office submitted a paper to the same hearing describing the casino's hiring of Zangari, the 1981 bankruptcy and John Philip Nichols's May 1985 plea of no contest to two charges of solicitation for murder.[^22] Arthur Welmas replied in writing that the testimony was unsubstantiated hearsay.[^23]
The House Judiciary Committee's 1992 report on the INSLAW matter refers to "a number of speculative reports and fragmentary records purporting to link Robert Booth Nichols, through a company called Meridian Arms Corporation, and Michael Riconosciuto to certain covert intelligence activities."[^22] In its section on a possible connection between Earl Brian, Michael Riconosciuto, [[Robert Booth Nichols]] and the Cabazon reservation, the report states that in a sworn affidavit of April 2, 1991, Brian "stated that he had never heard of, or was associated with, the so-called Wackenhut/Cabazon Indian joint venture," and that "the committee is not in a position to make findings of fact on Dr. Brian's role."[^22]
The House Judiciary Committee's 1992 report on the INSLAW matter refers to "a number of speculative reports and fragmentary records purporting to link Robert Booth Nichols, through a company called Meridian Arms Corporation, and Michael Riconosciuto to certain covert intelligence activities."[^24] In its section on a possible connection between Earl Brian, Michael Riconosciuto, [[Robert Booth Nichols]] and the Cabazon reservation, the report states that in a sworn affidavit of April 2, 1991, Brian "stated that he had never heard of, or was associated with, the so-called Wackenhut/Cabazon Indian joint venture," and that "the committee is not in a position to make findings of fact on Dr. Brian's role."[^24]
### Footnotes
@ -93,20 +93,22 @@ The House Judiciary Committee's 1992 report on the INSLAW matter refers to "a nu
[^3]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture," printed pp. 55 to 58; Casolaro paper, pp. 166 to 167. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^4]: Jan Golab, "Close-Up," *Los Angeles*, September 1983, pp. 116 to 128. Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^5]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302s, file 74-86438: Wayne Reeder (interview October 5, 1992), Sam Cross and Dave Baird (interviews October 6, 1992). https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^6]: *Zangari v. Cabazon Indian Casino (In re Cabazon Indian Casino)*, 35 B.R. 124 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. December 29, 1983), BAP No. CC-82-1578-GVAb. https://static.case.law/br/35/cases/0124-01.json
[^7]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), February 9, 1989, p. A-1, "Cabazon bingo casino listed as Mafia-tied." Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^8]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Wayne Reeder, October 5, 1992, file 74-86438. https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^9]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture." https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^10]: *In re Cabazon Indian Casino*, 57 B.R. 398 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. February 5, 1986), BAP No. CC-85-1006-MVAb. https://static.case.law/br/57/cases/0398-01.json
[^11]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), March 20, 1988, p. B-1 with jump page, "Manager proposes plush Indian casino, club," by Mike Kataoka. Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^12]: *Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. City of Indio*, 694 F.2d 634 (9th Cir. Dec. 14, 1982). https://static.case.law/f2d/694/cases/0634-01.json
[^13]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), November 6, 1984, p. B-1, "Judge upholds Indian bands right to operate bingo parlors." Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^14]: *Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. County of Riverside*, 783 F.2d 900 (9th Cir. 1986). https://static.case.law/f2d/783/cases/0900-01.json
[^15]: *California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians*, 480 U.S. 202 (1987). https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/480/202
[^16]: Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Pub. L. 100-497, § 2, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, codified at 25 U.S.C. § 2701. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/25/2701
[^17]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), July 29, 1989, p. B-1, "Poker club firm chief accused of embezzling," by Mike Kataoka. Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^18]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), September 20, 1989, p. B-1, "Felony charges being dropped in poker club case." Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^19]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), printed pp. 42 to 43 and 55 to 58, footnote 35. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^20]: *Federal Government's Relationship with American Indians*, Hearings before the Special Committee on Investigations of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, S. Hrg. 101-126, Part 2 (February 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1989), Robert Morehouse, "High Stakes Bingo on Indian Reservations in California," pp. 417 to 419. https://archive.org/details/micro_IA41152832_0182
[^21]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), February 11, 1989, "Indians deny link to crime," by David Boyles. Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^22]: United States House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, *The INSLAW Affair*, H. Rept. 102-857 (1992), pp. 72 to 73. https://archive.org/details/InslawAffairInvestigativeReport
[^6]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(ii) The September 10, 1981 Weapons Demonstration," printed p. 64. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^7]: John Hussar, "Crime probes tied to Nichols associates," *The Desert Sun* (Palm Springs, California), March 21, 1985, front page.
[^8]: *Zangari v. Cabazon Indian Casino (In re Cabazon Indian Casino)*, 35 B.R. 124 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. December 29, 1983), BAP No. CC-82-1578-GVAb. https://static.case.law/br/35/cases/0124-01.json
[^9]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), February 9, 1989, p. A-1, "Cabazon bingo casino listed as Mafia-tied." Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^10]: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, FD-302 of the interview of Wayne Reeder, October 5, 1992, file 74-86438. https://archive.org/details/INSLAW-CabazonWackenhunt
[^11]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), section "(i) The Wackenhut-Cabazon Joint Venture." https://archive.org/details/doj-oip-inslaw-1993
[^12]: *In re Cabazon Indian Casino*, 57 B.R. 398 (B.A.P. 9th Cir. February 5, 1986), BAP No. CC-85-1006-MVAb. https://static.case.law/br/57/cases/0398-01.json
[^13]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), March 20, 1988, p. B-1 with jump page, "Manager proposes plush Indian casino, club," by Mike Kataoka. Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^14]: *Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. City of Indio*, 694 F.2d 634 (9th Cir. Dec. 14, 1982). https://static.case.law/f2d/694/cases/0634-01.json
[^15]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), November 6, 1984, p. B-1, "Judge upholds Indian bands right to operate bingo parlors." Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^16]: *Cabazon Band of Mission Indians v. County of Riverside*, 783 F.2d 900 (9th Cir. 1986). https://static.case.law/f2d/783/cases/0900-01.json
[^17]: *California v. Cabazon Band of Mission Indians*, 480 U.S. 202 (1987). https://www.law.cornell.edu/supremecourt/text/480/202
[^18]: Indian Gaming Regulatory Act, Pub. L. 100-497, § 2, Oct. 17, 1988, 102 Stat. 2467, codified at 25 U.S.C. § 2701. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/25/2701
[^19]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), July 29, 1989, p. B-1, "Poker club firm chief accused of embezzling," by Mike Kataoka. Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^20]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), September 20, 1989, p. B-1, "Felony charges being dropped in poker club case." Reprinted in Federal Bureau of Investigation, Los Angeles, file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1. https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^21]: United States Department of Justice, *Report of Special Counsel Nicholas J. Bua to the Attorney General of the United States Regarding the Allegations of INSLAW, Inc.* (March 1993), printed pp. 42 to 43 and 55 to 58, footnote 35. Official finding, placed as the position of the body that issued it. https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf
[^22]: *Federal Government's Relationship with American Indians*, Hearings before the Special Committee on Investigations of the Select Committee on Indian Affairs, S. Hrg. 101-126, Part 2 (February 2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 1989), Robert Morehouse, "High Stakes Bingo on Indian Reservations in California," pp. 417 to 419. https://archive.org/details/micro_IA41152832_0182
[^23]: *The Press-Enterprise* (Riverside, California), February 11, 1989, "Indians deny link to crime," by David Boyles. Reprinted in FBI Los Angeles file 183A-LA-1746, Section 1, https://archive.org/details/JohnPhilipNichols
[^24]: United States House of Representatives, Committee on the Judiciary, *The INSLAW Affair*, H. Rept. 102-857 (1992), pp. 72 to 73. https://archive.org/details/InslawAffairInvestigativeReport

4
60 - PLACES/REGIONS/Middle East.md
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@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ tags:
- ArmsTrade
summary: "The region from Egypt to Iran as it appears in the vault: the object of American nuclear intelligence, arms and hostage dealing, covert liaison clubs, and, latterly, of sovereign-wealth money for the well connected."
created: 2026-09-22
updated: 2026-09-22
updated: 2026-10-09
---
The Middle East enters the vault first as an intelligence target. U-2 flights "continued to monitor sensitive areas, including the Middle East, and by 1958, CIA photo interpreters observed significant activity at an Israeli Air Force practice bombing range south of Beersheba, which turned out to be the early signs of the [[Dimona]] nuclear reactor"; [[Christian A. Herter]]'s farewell briefing to the [[Senate Foreign Relations Committee]] on January 6, 1961, discussed "the 'disturbing' new element in the Middle East related to Dimona," and [[Carl E. Duckett]]'s work at the CIA "centered on assessing [[Israel]]'s nuclear capabilities and the potential for nuclear proliferation in the Middle East." In the Kennedy White House [[Myer Feldman]] "was authorized to monitor all State Department and [[White House]] cable traffic on the Middle East," to [[McGeorge Bundy]]'s dismay; [[Roswell L. Gilpatric]]'s committee urged "nuclear-free zones in [[Latin America]], Africa, and the Middle East, including Israel and [[Egypt]]"; and [[Lyndon B. Johnson]] became "the first American President to supply Israel with offensive weapons." The [[Committee for the Denuclearization of the Middle East]], Israeli scholars who went public in April 1962, urged United Nations intervention. [[Nikolai Bulganin]] during Suez and [[Leonid Brezhnev]] during the [[Yom Kippur War]] threatened Soviet intervention; the [[USS Liberty Incident|USS Liberty]] "had been monitoring Middle East communications traffic in international waters off the coast of Israel."[^1]
@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ The [[Office of Strategic Services]] "conducted covert operations, resistance su
### Arms, Hostages and Software
[[Arif Durrani]] "admitted to supplying Iran with arms and stated that he was part of a joint operation conducted by the United States and Israel to release American hostages in the Middle East," and met [[Oliver North]] for HAWK parts; [[Monzer Al-Kassar]] "developed relationships with Western intelligence services beginning in the 1970s, providing information and facilitating contacts in the Middle East arms and narcotics markets," and the Interfor report on [[Pan Am Flight 103]] alleged "a CIA-protected narcotics pipeline out of the Middle East." Two members of the [[Middle East Collection 10]] cell in Cyprus and Beirut, [[Matthew Kevin Gannon]] and [[Charles Dennis McKee]], died on that flight; [[Lester Coleman]] of the same unit swore that the DEA "was using its proprietary company, [[Euramae Trading Company]], to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries," with money from the [[United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control]], and a Justice Department document of May 14, 1985, placed [[Khalid bin Mahfouz]] beside Ghorbanifar and Khashoggi in "a covert plan to distribute espionage-modified PROMIS software in the Middle East." The [[Cabazon Arms]] venture of [[Wackenhut Corporation]] sought export markets in "the Contras in Nicaragua and nations in the Middle East." In the [[October Surprise]] story, [[Gary Sick]] built his case on "three years of interviews conducted in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East," and [[Ben Barnes]] said in 2023 that he had accompanied [[John Connally]] on a 1980 Middle East tour carrying the message that "Iran would receive a better deal from Reagan than from Carter."[^3]
[[Arif Durrani]] "admitted to supplying Iran with arms and stated that he was part of a joint operation conducted by the United States and Israel to release American hostages in the Middle East," and met [[Oliver North]] for HAWK parts; [[Monzer Al-Kassar]] "developed relationships with Western intelligence services beginning in the 1970s, providing information and facilitating contacts in the Middle East arms and narcotics markets," and the Interfor report on [[Pan Am Flight 103]] alleged "a CIA-protected narcotics pipeline out of the Middle East." Two members of the [[Middle East Collection 10]] cell in Cyprus and Beirut, [[Matthew Kevin Gannon]] and [[Charles Dennis McKee]], died on that flight; [[Lester Coleman]] of the same unit swore that the DEA "was using its proprietary company, [[Euramae Trading Company]], to sell [[PROMIS]] software to drug abuse control agencies in various Middle Eastern countries," with money from the [[United Nations Fund for Drug Abuse Control]], and a Justice Department document of May 14, 1985, placed [[Khalid bin Mahfouz]] beside Ghorbanifar and Khashoggi in "a covert plan to distribute espionage-modified PROMIS software in the Middle East." The [[Cabazon Security Corporation|Cabazon Arms]] venture of [[Wackenhut Corporation]] sought export markets in "the Contras in Nicaragua and nations in the Middle East." In the [[October Surprise]] story, [[Gary Sick]] built his case on "three years of interviews conducted in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East," and [[Ben Barnes]] said in 2023 that he had accompanied [[John Connally]] on a 1980 Middle East tour carrying the message that "Iran would receive a better deal from Reagan than from Carter."[^3]
### Money

17
70 - DISPATCHES/2026-10-08 The Safeguards Company.md
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@ -28,21 +28,20 @@ The Nuclear Surveillance and Auditing Corporation, established in 1968 to audit
On December 28, 1978 the [[Wackenhut Corporation]] bought NUSAC's assets, and a Florida subsidiary was filed the next day at Wackenhut's Coral Gables headquarters. "NUSAC is and will remain an independent firm," [[George R. Wackenhut]] was quoted as saying. Its board in late 1979 was George Wackenhut as chairman, Lumb, [[Robert E. Miller]] and Dr. [[Myron S. Malkin]], then director of the [[National Aeronautics and Space Administration|NASA]] Space Shuttle program.[^1][^2]
In April 1981 [[Robert Frye]], president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., and Tribal Chairman [[Arthur Welmas]] signed the joint venture between Wackenhut and the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon]] band.[^3] A letter over Welmas's name on Cabazon Arms letterhead, Indio, describes a planned "new assault weapon, which would have unique characteristics, including an adjustable cycle rate of fire and a laser sighting system." The names that follow the signature are Peter Zokosky, Bob Frye, Dr. Myron Malkin, Colonel Glade Flake, John James, Bruce James, John Paul Nichols and Wayne Reeder. Whether the Dr. Myron Malkin of the letter is the NUSAC director is not established in the records.[^4]
In April 1981 [[Robert Frye]], president of Wackenhut Services, Inc., and Tribal Chairman [[Arthur Welmas]] signed the joint venture between Wackenhut and the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation|Cabazon]] band.[^3] A letter over Welmas's name, headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," Indio, describes a planned "new assault weapon, which would have unique characteristics, including an adjustable cycle rate of fire and a laser sighting system." The names that follow the signature are Peter Zokosky, Bob Frye, Dr. Myron Malkin, Colonel Glade Flake, John James, Bruce James, John Paul Nichols and Wayne Reeder. Whether the Dr. Myron Malkin of the letter is the NUSAC director is not established in the records.[^4]
On May 8, 1984 NUSAC, Incorporated became Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, at [[Reston, Virginia]], absorbing three other Wackenhut security divisions. Its president was [[Ralph E. Caudle]], a retired Air Force colonel who since 1981 had headed the Department of Energy Office of Safeguards and Security, responsible for the protection of nuclear weapons materials and facilities and all of the department's classified information.[^2][^5] In 1985 the new company was selected to draw up the conceptual design of the security system for the nuclear device assembly facility at the [[Nevada Test Site]], and in 1986 to engineer it.[^6] The Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture ended on October 1, 1984.[^7]
On May 8, 1984 NUSAC, Incorporated became Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation, at [[Reston, Virginia]], absorbing three other Wackenhut security divisions. Its president was [[Ralph E. Caudle]], a retired Air Force colonel who since 1981 had headed the Department of Energy Office of Safeguards and Security, responsible for the protection of nuclear weapons materials and facilities and all of the department's classified information.[^2][^5] In 1985 the new company was selected to draw up the conceptual design of the security system for the nuclear device assembly facility at the [[Nevada Test Site]], and in 1986 to engineer it.[^6]
From September 1987 its vice president for national security studies was [[James B. Motley]], a retired Army colonel, whose resume appears in the June 1990 packet of [[Counter Terrorism Consultants, Inc.]][^8] Renamed the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center in January 1990 and moved to Fairfax, it had by then a Defense Systems Analysis Group whose clients included the Army Survivability Management Office, and whose staff, the parent's annual report states, "apply their skills and background in military operations, requirements and intelligence to support the Department of Defense."[^2][^9] Wackenhut's annual reports describing this work are among the papers of [[Danny Casolaro]].[^6][^9]
From September 1987 its vice president for national security studies was [[James B. Motley]], a retired Army colonel, whose resume appears in the June 1990 packet of [[Counter Terrorism Consultants, Inc.]][^7] Renamed the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center in January 1990 and moved to Fairfax, it had by then a Defense Systems Analysis Group whose clients included the Army Survivability Management Office, and whose staff, the parent's annual report states, "apply their skills and background in military operations, requirements and intelligence to support the Department of Defense."[^2][^8] Wackenhut's annual reports describing this work are among the papers of [[Danny Casolaro]].[^6][^8]
In March 1993 the report of Special Counsel [[Nicholas J. Bua]] on the [[INSLAW]] matter stated that the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture had no employees and that "the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye."[^3] Wackenhut's annual report for 1994 states that the Applied Technologies Center was sold or discontinued in 1993. The State of Florida dissolved the corporation on August 26, 1994.[^2][^10]
In March 1993 the report of Special Counsel [[Nicholas J. Bua]] on the [[INSLAW]] matter stated that the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture had no employees and that "the only individual employed by Wackenhut was Frye."[^3] Wackenhut's annual report for 1994 states that the Applied Technologies Center was sold or discontinued in 1993. The State of Florida dissolved the corporation on August 26, 1994.[^2][^9]
[^1]: Nuclear Materials Management (Journal of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management), vol. 2, no. 4 (Winter 1974); vol. 4, no. 1 (Spring 1975); vol. 8, nos. 1, 3 and 4 (1979 to 1980); vol. 9, no. 1 (Spring 1980), https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_08/V-8_1.pdf.
[^2]: Florida Department of State, Division of Corporations, document 599071, Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, Inc. (filed December 29, 1978; name changes May 8, 1984 and January 9, 1990; administrative dissolution August 26, 1994), https://search.sunbiz.org/Inquiry/CorporationSearch/SearchResults/EntityName/WACKENHUT%20ADVANCED/Page1.
[^3]: United States Department of Justice, report of Judge Nicholas J. Bua on the INSLAW matter (March 1993), section on the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture, printed pp. 55 to 58, https://documents.theblackvault.com/documents/nsa/DOJ-OIP-INSLAW_1993.pdf.
[^4]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated May 1 (year not printed) to La France Specialties, San Diego, Cabazon Arms letterhead, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^4]: Arthur Welmas, letter dated May 1 (year not printed) to La France Specialties, San Diego, headed "CABAZON INDIAN SECURITY /WSI JOINT VENTURE," Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-Correspondence," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^5]: Nuclear Materials Management, vol. 13, no. 1 (Spring 1984), "Ralph E. Caudle Heads Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation," https://resources.inmm.org/system/files/jnmm/vol_13/V-13_1.pdf.
[^6]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual reports for 1985 and 1986, sections on Wackenhut Advanced Technologies Corporation and its Security Programs Division, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Wackenhut-CompanyReportsannualQuarterly," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^7]: Cheri Seymour, *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro's Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*, TrineDay, 2010.
[^8]: CounterTerrorism Consultants, L.P., "Proudly Presents The Resumes of its Associates," fax copy headed "JUN 20 '90," pages 141 P10 and 141 P11, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Promotional Material," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^9]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report with 1989 results, pages on the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, same folder as note 6.
[^10]: The Wackenhut Corporation, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104030/0000912057-95-001626.txt.
[^7]: CounterTerrorism Consultants, L.P., "Proudly Presents The Resumes of its Associates," fax copy headed "JUN 20 '90," pages 141 P10 and 141 P11, Danny Casolaro papers, folder "Promotional Material," https://archive.org/details/casolaro-notebooks.
[^8]: The Wackenhut Corporation, annual report with 1989 results, pages on the Wackenhut Applied Technologies Center, same folder as note 6.
[^9]: The Wackenhut Corporation, Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 1, 1995, https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/104030/0000912057-95-001626.txt.