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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
View file

@ -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