disinfozone/The_Info_Web
1
0
Fork 0
Code Issues Pull requests Projects Releases Packages Wiki Activity Actions

vault backup: 2026-05-13 21:30:09

Browse source
This commit is contained in:
disinfo.zone 2026-05-13 21:30:09 -04:00
parent c9e05e3e65
commit 44b8a8e76e
1883 changed files with 23264 additions and 5496 deletions
Download patch file Download diff file Expand all files Collapse all files

43
10 - PEOPLE/(N-S)/Robert Booth Nichols.md
View file

@ -1,39 +1,38 @@
---
category: "PROMIS Scandal"
created: 2024-04-25
updated: 2026-05-01
tags:
- Person
- Intelligence
- PROMIS
- CIA
- Organized Crime
- PROMIS
- The Octopus
- USA
summary: "Robert Booth Nichols was an international intelligence operative and central figure in Danny Casolaro's Octopus investigation, with documented ties to NSC covert operations, organized crime networks including the Gambino and Bufalino families and the Yakuza, and arms development programs at the Wackenhut-Cabazon joint venture."
---
Robert Booth Nichols was born in 1943 or 1944. He appeared repeatedly in the investigative threads pursued by journalist [[Danny Casolaro]] and in FBI and DOJ records as an individual straddling the boundaries of U.S. intelligence operations and international organized crime. Despite extensive FBI investigation and wiretap surveillance, Nichols reportedly had no arrest record as of the time of Casolaro's death in 1991.[^1]
[[Robert Booth Nichols]] is a figure frequently mentioned in connection with [[Danny Casolaro]]'s "[[The Octopus]]" investigation, described as an international intelligence operative with extensive ties to government, organized crime, and illicit activities. He was born in 1943 or 1944.[^1]
### Organizational Affiliations
### Key Roles and Affiliations
Nichols served as a Director, Senior Vice President, and Chairman of the Investment Committee of the [[First Intercontinental Development Corporation]] (FIDCO), described in Casolaro's research as a [[National Security Council|NSC]] cutout used in Lebanon for covert operations, including negotiations around large-scale reconstruction financing and the arranged release of a prisoner. Other FIDCO board members included [[Michael A. McManus]], [[George K. Pender]], [[Robert Maheu]], [[Clint W. Murchison, Jr.]], [[Kenneth A. Roe]], [[Frances T. Fox]], [[William M. Pender]], and [[Glen R. Shockley]].[^1]
Nichols held significant positions in several organizations, often described as cutouts for intelligence operations:
Nichols was also a principal in Meridian International Logistics (MIL), a holding company that the Los Angeles FBI was investigating as "a source of funding for the purchasing of narcotics/controlled substances and the allocation and use of the proceeds from its trafficking." MIL was additionally described as an NSC cutout for funneling money to board members. [[Eugene Giaquinto]], then president of the [[Music Corporation of America|MCA]] home entertainment division, sat on MIL's board, and FBI wiretaps on MCA recorded communications between Nichols and Giaquinto. Nichols also held the position of Chief Executive Officer of R.B.N. Companies, International, a holding company involved in high technology electronics manufacturing, real estate development, and international finance.[^1]
* **[[First Intercontinental Development Corporation|FIDCO]] (First Intercontinental Development Corporation):** Nichols served as a Director, Senior Vice President, and Chairman of the Investment Committee. FIDCO was reportedly a [[National Security Council|NSC]] cutout used in Lebanon, notably involved in arranging the release of a prisoner and discussions about a multi-billion dollar financial transaction for the reconstruction of Lebanon. Other board members included [[Michael A. McManus]], [[George K. Pender]], [[Robert Maheu]], [[Clint W. Murchison, Jr.]], [[Kenneth A. Roe]], [[Frances T. Fox]], [[William M. Pender]], and [[Glen R. Shockley]].[1]
* **Meridian International Logistics (MIL):** Nichols was a principal in this holding company, which was under [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] investigation as a "source of funding for the purchasing of narcotics/controlled substances and the allocation and use of the proceeds from its trafficking." MIL was also reportedly an [[National Security Council|NSC]] cutout used for funneling money to pay its board of directors. [[Eugene Giaquinto]], then president of [[Music Corporation of America|MCA]] home entertainment division, was a board member of MIL.[1]
* **Meridian Arms:** A subsidiary of MIL, where Nichols partnered with [[Michael Riconosciuto]]. They provided technical assistance to [[Wackenhut Corporation]] in the proposed development of esoteric armaments at the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]].[1]
* **R.B.N. Companies, International:** Nichols was the Chief Executive Officer of this holding company, involved in manufacturing and development of high technology electronics, real estate development, construction, and international finance.[1]
Through a Meridian subsidiary, Meridian Arms, Nichols partnered with [[Michael Riconosciuto]] and provided technical assistance to [[Wackenhut Corporation]] in the proposed development of advanced armaments at the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]] near Indio, California, including work on proposals for FMC Corporation covering advanced military technologies.[^1]
### Alleged Activities and Controversies
### Intelligence Operations
Nichols' activities spanned a wide range of illicit and covert operations, often intertwined with intelligence agencies and organized crime:
Nichols was described by Casolaro's sources as a contract operative for the NSC at the time of Casolaro's death in August 1991, providing services across multiple government agencies on a for-hire basis. Documented activities included assisting [[Ignacio Paz]] of the Philippine government in removing large sums of money from the Philippines through Swiss bank accounts, and involvement in an NSC-directed narcotics operation in Lebanon conducted through Euramae Trading Company in Nicosia, Cyprus, where heroin flow was maintained to preserve the operational credibility of intelligence sources. Other figures in this network identified by Riconosciuto included [[Michael T. Hurley]] (DEA Country Attache), [[Maurice Ghanem]], and [[George Pender]].[^1]
* **Drug Trafficking and Money Laundering:** He was under investigation by the Los Angeles [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] as a suspected "international launderer of money derived from both narcotics and organized crime activities." His telex number (652483 RBN ASSOCS LSA) was linked to financial transactions in Lebanon. Nichols was associated with the illegal transportation of narcotics through the [[Golden Triangle]] and was described as a "bigtime drug dealer" operating overseas, using a rum importing business as a cover for heroin trafficking. He was also named as "Mr. Big" in the [[Medellin Cartel]] in drug prosecutions. [[Michael Riconosciuto]] claimed Nichols handled gold transfers, money laundering, and "virtual dead drops" for various underworld figures, including [[Gilbert Rodriguez]] and [[Jose Londono]] of the [[Cali Drug Cartel]].[1]
* **Intelligence Operations:** Nichols reportedly worked as a contract operative for the [[National Security Council|NSC]] at the time of [[Danny Casolaro]]'s death. He was considered a valuable asset in U.S. intelligence circles, providing "service for money" to any government agency. He assisted [[Ignacio Paz]] of the Philippine government in removing large sums of money from the Philippines by investing it in Swiss bank accounts. He was also involved in a [[National Security Council|NSC]]-directed drug operation in Lebanon through Euramae Trading Company, where heroin flow was maintained to preserve the credibility of intelligence operations.[1]
* **Organized Crime Connections:** Nichols was linked to [[La Cosa Nostra]], specifically the [[Gambino Crime Family]] and [[Bufalino Crime Family]], and the [[Yakuza]]. [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] wiretaps on [[Music Corporation of America|MCA]] recorded his communications with [[Eugene Giaquinto]], who had a close working relationship with the [[United States Department of Justice|Justice Department]]. He was also alleged to be the "godson" of [[Harold Okimoto]], a figure believed to be a top Japanese organized crime figure based in Hawaii.[1]
* **Arms Dealing:** Nichols was involved in proposed arms projects, including the construction of an R&D facility for weapons systems on the [[Cabazon Indian Reservation]]. He was also involved with [[Michael Riconosciuto]] in proposals to FMC Corporation for advanced military technologies. He was described as a weapons technical advisor for Steven Seagal's movie *Under Siege*.[1]
* **Relationship with Danny Casolaro:** Casolaro spent hundreds of hours on the phone with Nichols during his investigation into "[[The Octopus]]." Nichols reportedly warned Casolaro to drop his investigation and even flew to Martinsburg to convince him of the danger. Casolaro confronted Nichols about his connection to [[Michael Abbell]] and the [[Cali Drug Cartel]] shortly before his death. Nichols wrote a manuscript titled "Danny Casolaro's Octopus" after Casolaro's death, suggesting he believed Casolaro was murdered.[1]
### Organized Crime Connections
### Investigations and Legal Status
The Los Angeles FBI investigated Nichols as a suspected international money launderer for both narcotics proceeds and organized crime. His telex number (652483 RBN ASSOCS LSA) was linked to financial transactions in Lebanon. He was described in DEA and FBI records as associated with illegal narcotics transportation through the [[Golden Triangle]] and was named in drug prosecutions as "Mr. Big" within the [[Medellin Cartel]]. According to [[Michael Riconosciuto]], Nichols handled gold transfers, money laundering operations, and "virtual dead drops" for organized crime figures including [[Gilbert Rodriguez]] and [[Jose Santacruz Londono]] of the [[Cali Drug Cartel]]. He was linked to [[La Cosa Nostra]], specifically the [[Gambino Crime Family]] and [[Bufalino Crime Family]], and to the [[Yakuza]]. Nichols was also alleged to be the "godson" of [[Harold Okimoto]], described in intelligence records as a senior Japanese organized crime figure based in Hawaii.[^1]
Despite numerous allegations and investigations, [[Robert Booth Nichols]] reportedly had no arrest record. Investigations into his activities, including [[Federal Bureau of Investigation|FBI]] wiretaps, were often abruptly shut down by the [[United States Department of Justice|DOJ]] when they approached high-level organized crime and drug connections.[1]
Investigations into Nichols' activities, including active FBI wiretap operations, were reportedly shut down by the [[Department of Justice|DOJ]] on multiple occasions when they approached high-level organized crime and narcotics connections.[^1]
### Relationship with Danny Casolaro
Casolaro spent hundreds of hours in telephone communication with Nichols during the course of his [[The Octopus|Octopus]] investigation. According to Riconosciuto, Nichols had warned Casolaro to abandon his investigation, and flew to Martinsburg, West Virginia, to press him in person about the danger. In the period immediately before Casolaro's death on August 10, 1991, Casolaro had confronted Nichols with information about Nichols' connection to [[Michael Abbell]] and the Cali Drug Cartel, a lead Riconosciuto had provided. Nichols subsequently wrote a manuscript titled "Danny Casolaro's Octopus" after Casolaro's death, in which Nichols indicated his personal belief that Casolaro had been murdered.[^1]
---
### Footnotes
[1] Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.
[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro's Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal.* TrineDay, 2010.