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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.

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10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/John Paul Nichols.md
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@ -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]

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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