27-04-2009, 02:43 AM
Jospeh Raymond Merola was an associate of Norman Rothman and the Mannarino brothers (Sam and Gabe). The Mannarinos, members of the Pittsburgh Mafia under John Sebastian LaRocca, were the original owners of the Sans Souci in Havana.
Merola was involved in flying guns to Castro with Rothman, Lou Pessolano, and the Mannarinos.
He was convicted of transporting stolen guns from a National Guard Armory in Canton, Ohio (Pittsburgh Mafia territory) to Castro's forces in 1958. He got five years in prison. I believe that is the case in which Jose Aleman testified for the prosecution.
http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index....ode=linear
http://ajweberman.com/nodules2/nodulec29.htm
WEAPONS FOR CASTRO
On October 14, 1958, about 317 weapons were stolen from a National Guard Armory at Canton, Ohio. On November 4, 1958, a plane load of guns piloted by Stuart Sutor of Hialeah, Florida, was tracked on radar by the Border Patrol flying from Pennsylvania to West Virginia where the soldier-of-fortune was arrested. The weapons stolen in Ohio were recovered.
What had happened behind the scenes was this: Controni contacted Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino, racket figures in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino contacted Norman Rothman who rented a plane for $6,000 to run the guns, and contacted Joseph Merola, a close associate of Carlos Prio. Merola's job was to fly to Pittsburgh to contact Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino's boys about shipping guns to Cuba.
Rothman lined up William W. Rabin to handle the finances. Rabin set up a Swiss Bank account and posted the stolen securities as collateral for a loan. [Miami Herald 3.13.60] Others involved included Austin Young, who was in contact with Rabin and Rothman, and Paul Bert Hickman, an associate of Edward Browder.
JOE MEROLA
Joseph Raymond Merola (201-257804 born October 9, 1925), was a gun-running pilot linked to Edward Browder. Joseph Merola served in the Marines from 1941 to 1945. In the late 1950's he ran arms to Fidel Castro. The CIA described him as a "fast dealer with connections at all levels in many foreign countries. His information is usually very good. He was Batista's personal pilot and was right next to Fidel Castro at the time of the take over." In March 1959 Joseph Merola was involved in an invasion of Panama from Cuba. In May 1959 he was involved in a plot to counterfeit Cuban currency. In February 1961 he was restricted to the Miami area following his conviction on charges of theft of arms from a National Guard Armory. On February 15, 1964, a cleared police contact advised the CIA that three men who had been caught stealing dynamite claimed it was stolen on behalf of Kubarker Joseph R. Merola. The CIA declared that Joseph Merola was not an agent, only a informant: "In an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961." In November 1972 Joseph Merola began serving a one year sentence for petty larceny in New York City. In November 1974 Joseph Merola was indicted by a Los Angeles County Grand Jury for stock manipulation and fraud. In December 1974 PHILLIPS sent a telex to an unnamed component about Joseph Merola:
1. Regarding Joseph Raymond Merola [201-257804] U.S. citizen please inform (Deleted) the following: Joseph Raymond Merola, an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961, periodically provides that office with foreign positive intelligence information. It is suggested that (Deleted) be contacted for additional information.
2. (Deleted) Headquarters informed (Deleted) June 1974 that Merola was of operational interest. They requested traces and stated he reportedly worked for (Deleted) in late 1950's. We replied that Mr. Merola had never worked for (Deleted) although we were aware that he had made such claims on number of previous instances.
3. Headquarters relaying for Station use only 20664, January 11, 1974 ,and Director 502254, January 17, 1974, which reports derogatory information on Merola.
4. Merola being processed in the ISR as (Deleted) source. Will advise when registration completed.
5. Please advise local (Deleted) Orlando Batista Viera's occupation as detective is included in category whose operational use is prohibited throughout the intelligence community and ISR policy precludes his registration. However, emphasize to (Deleted) that this fact not intended to prohibit their use of the Subject. Batista will be recorded as contact of (Deleted) in (Deleted) files in case any other U.S. Government agency expresses operational interest. (Deleted) Headquarters is being informed of above.
6. The following may be past to (Deleted). Batista was born July 10, 1933, Havana, Cuba. Was in Cuban Navy. Arrived in U.S. in early 1960's as exile. Subject was in prison several months in 1959 in Cuba accused of being member of Batista's Armed Forces and having idea opposed to Castro revolution, subsequently released. Subject of operational interest to (Deleted) in 1963 to 1964; interest dropped in 1964 and Subject terminated without prejudice. Ask (Deleted) to refer to (Deleted) for more info on Subject.
7. FYI only: POA granted 1963 for Subject's use in PM boat operations; however, POA canceled when he claimed he was unable satisfactorily treat his seasickness. In 1964 Subject interviewed by (Deleted) in Los Angeles, California, regarding group of Cubans in Miami involved in drug operations. Subject revealed his (Deleted) connections to FBI.
8. File: 200-11-11/19; 201-740127; 201-257804.
*Requested priority traces on Merola and Batista. (Deleted) Sources and register in ISR.
(DCD/OSS (Telecoord) December 6, 1974.
Unit: LA/NARC/LA/CAR DAVID A PHILLIPS C/LA LA/NARC (Deleted) DDO/NARCO (Deleted) LOSN/ISR (Deleted) C/LA/CAR.
The CIA considered using Merola as a source of information on developments in Beirut. [JM WAVE Cable 2.15.64; CIA Index Cards on Merola - type is so small it is unreadable; MFR 12.2.74 9-28-49; To: Director Domestic Contacts Service. From: Chief, Miami Field Office 11.20.72 MIN-181-72; Outgoing Message 630872]
Joseph Merola reported to Herbert J. Miller of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department.
ROTHMAN' S INDICTMENT
On January 2, 1959, Norman Rothman flew to Havana. On March 27, 1959, Rothman was charged with violating the National Firearms Act. On April 9, 1959, Rothman was arrested for violation of the National Stolen Property Act in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and on June 30, 1959, Rabin, Controni, Rene Robert, Sam Marrarino and Norman Rothman were indicted in United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division for arms smuggling and stolen securities charges. [59CR374 Luis Kutner, Counsel] In July 1959 Rothman was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy. S.A. George Davis of the FBI observed Rothman when he left for Mexico from Miami on December 10, 1959, in the company of Richardo Madan Rivas, a gun-smuggler. In late 1959 Norman Rothman helped Fulgencio Batista establish headquarters at the Biltmore Terrace Hotel on Miami Beach. Norman Rothman managed the Biltmore Terrace. His associates included Rolando Masferrer and Orlando Piedra. At this time Norman Rothman supplied anti-Castro groups with stolen arms.
Rothman was convicted in February 1960 with others attempting to smuggle guns stolen from a National Guard Armory in Ohio to Cuba, and received a five year prison term and $10,000 fine. [FBI HO 165-689]
Sam Mannarino was interviewed by S.A. John S. Portella, who had been acquainted with Sam Mannarino for the past ten years: "Mannarino predicted that 30 days after Merola is released from Federal Prison, he will be murdered. Mannarino stated that he wanted the record to show that he himself was not going to kill Merola and probably would have nothing to do with his murder. Merola's testifying as a Government witness, however, would raise serious doubts and concern in the minds of several people that Merola has been involved with over them over the past five years. It would be one of those persons who probably committed some crime with Merola, according to Mannarino, who would wonder when Merola was going to testify against them. It would therefore be one of these former associates who would probably kill him. Herbert J. Miller, Jr., Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice by memorandum dated April 26, 1962, referred to Joseph Merola and advised that on April 13, 1962, a petition for executive clemency, together with his recommendation that petition be granted, was forwarded to pardon attorney Reed Cozart." [FBI CG 87-11127]...
Merola was involved in flying guns to Castro with Rothman, Lou Pessolano, and the Mannarinos.
He was convicted of transporting stolen guns from a National Guard Armory in Canton, Ohio (Pittsburgh Mafia territory) to Castro's forces in 1958. He got five years in prison. I believe that is the case in which Jose Aleman testified for the prosecution.
http://educationforum.ipbhost.com/index....ode=linear
http://ajweberman.com/nodules2/nodulec29.htm
WEAPONS FOR CASTRO
On October 14, 1958, about 317 weapons were stolen from a National Guard Armory at Canton, Ohio. On November 4, 1958, a plane load of guns piloted by Stuart Sutor of Hialeah, Florida, was tracked on radar by the Border Patrol flying from Pennsylvania to West Virginia where the soldier-of-fortune was arrested. The weapons stolen in Ohio were recovered.
What had happened behind the scenes was this: Controni contacted Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino, racket figures in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino contacted Norman Rothman who rented a plane for $6,000 to run the guns, and contacted Joseph Merola, a close associate of Carlos Prio. Merola's job was to fly to Pittsburgh to contact Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino's boys about shipping guns to Cuba.
Rothman lined up William W. Rabin to handle the finances. Rabin set up a Swiss Bank account and posted the stolen securities as collateral for a loan. [Miami Herald 3.13.60] Others involved included Austin Young, who was in contact with Rabin and Rothman, and Paul Bert Hickman, an associate of Edward Browder.
JOE MEROLA
Joseph Raymond Merola (201-257804 born October 9, 1925), was a gun-running pilot linked to Edward Browder. Joseph Merola served in the Marines from 1941 to 1945. In the late 1950's he ran arms to Fidel Castro. The CIA described him as a "fast dealer with connections at all levels in many foreign countries. His information is usually very good. He was Batista's personal pilot and was right next to Fidel Castro at the time of the take over." In March 1959 Joseph Merola was involved in an invasion of Panama from Cuba. In May 1959 he was involved in a plot to counterfeit Cuban currency. In February 1961 he was restricted to the Miami area following his conviction on charges of theft of arms from a National Guard Armory. On February 15, 1964, a cleared police contact advised the CIA that three men who had been caught stealing dynamite claimed it was stolen on behalf of Kubarker Joseph R. Merola. The CIA declared that Joseph Merola was not an agent, only a informant: "In an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961." In November 1972 Joseph Merola began serving a one year sentence for petty larceny in New York City. In November 1974 Joseph Merola was indicted by a Los Angeles County Grand Jury for stock manipulation and fraud. In December 1974 PHILLIPS sent a telex to an unnamed component about Joseph Merola:
1. Regarding Joseph Raymond Merola [201-257804] U.S. citizen please inform (Deleted) the following: Joseph Raymond Merola, an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961, periodically provides that office with foreign positive intelligence information. It is suggested that (Deleted) be contacted for additional information.
2. (Deleted) Headquarters informed (Deleted) June 1974 that Merola was of operational interest. They requested traces and stated he reportedly worked for (Deleted) in late 1950's. We replied that Mr. Merola had never worked for (Deleted) although we were aware that he had made such claims on number of previous instances.
3. Headquarters relaying for Station use only 20664, January 11, 1974 ,and Director 502254, January 17, 1974, which reports derogatory information on Merola.
4. Merola being processed in the ISR as (Deleted) source. Will advise when registration completed.
5. Please advise local (Deleted) Orlando Batista Viera's occupation as detective is included in category whose operational use is prohibited throughout the intelligence community and ISR policy precludes his registration. However, emphasize to (Deleted) that this fact not intended to prohibit their use of the Subject. Batista will be recorded as contact of (Deleted) in (Deleted) files in case any other U.S. Government agency expresses operational interest. (Deleted) Headquarters is being informed of above.
6. The following may be past to (Deleted). Batista was born July 10, 1933, Havana, Cuba. Was in Cuban Navy. Arrived in U.S. in early 1960's as exile. Subject was in prison several months in 1959 in Cuba accused of being member of Batista's Armed Forces and having idea opposed to Castro revolution, subsequently released. Subject of operational interest to (Deleted) in 1963 to 1964; interest dropped in 1964 and Subject terminated without prejudice. Ask (Deleted) to refer to (Deleted) for more info on Subject.
7. FYI only: POA granted 1963 for Subject's use in PM boat operations; however, POA canceled when he claimed he was unable satisfactorily treat his seasickness. In 1964 Subject interviewed by (Deleted) in Los Angeles, California, regarding group of Cubans in Miami involved in drug operations. Subject revealed his (Deleted) connections to FBI.
8. File: 200-11-11/19; 201-740127; 201-257804.
*Requested priority traces on Merola and Batista. (Deleted) Sources and register in ISR.
(DCD/OSS (Telecoord) December 6, 1974.
Unit: LA/NARC/LA/CAR DAVID A PHILLIPS C/LA LA/NARC (Deleted) DDO/NARCO (Deleted) LOSN/ISR (Deleted) C/LA/CAR.
The CIA considered using Merola as a source of information on developments in Beirut. [JM WAVE Cable 2.15.64; CIA Index Cards on Merola - type is so small it is unreadable; MFR 12.2.74 9-28-49; To: Director Domestic Contacts Service. From: Chief, Miami Field Office 11.20.72 MIN-181-72; Outgoing Message 630872]
Joseph Merola reported to Herbert J. Miller of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department.
ROTHMAN' S INDICTMENT
On January 2, 1959, Norman Rothman flew to Havana. On March 27, 1959, Rothman was charged with violating the National Firearms Act. On April 9, 1959, Rothman was arrested for violation of the National Stolen Property Act in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and on June 30, 1959, Rabin, Controni, Rene Robert, Sam Marrarino and Norman Rothman were indicted in United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division for arms smuggling and stolen securities charges. [59CR374 Luis Kutner, Counsel] In July 1959 Rothman was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy. S.A. George Davis of the FBI observed Rothman when he left for Mexico from Miami on December 10, 1959, in the company of Richardo Madan Rivas, a gun-smuggler. In late 1959 Norman Rothman helped Fulgencio Batista establish headquarters at the Biltmore Terrace Hotel on Miami Beach. Norman Rothman managed the Biltmore Terrace. His associates included Rolando Masferrer and Orlando Piedra. At this time Norman Rothman supplied anti-Castro groups with stolen arms.
Rothman was convicted in February 1960 with others attempting to smuggle guns stolen from a National Guard Armory in Ohio to Cuba, and received a five year prison term and $10,000 fine. [FBI HO 165-689]
Sam Mannarino was interviewed by S.A. John S. Portella, who had been acquainted with Sam Mannarino for the past ten years: "Mannarino predicted that 30 days after Merola is released from Federal Prison, he will be murdered. Mannarino stated that he wanted the record to show that he himself was not going to kill Merola and probably would have nothing to do with his murder. Merola's testifying as a Government witness, however, would raise serious doubts and concern in the minds of several people that Merola has been involved with over them over the past five years. It would be one of those persons who probably committed some crime with Merola, according to Mannarino, who would wonder when Merola was going to testify against them. It would therefore be one of these former associates who would probably kill him. Herbert J. Miller, Jr., Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, U.S. Department of Justice by memorandum dated April 26, 1962, referred to Joseph Merola and advised that on April 13, 1962, a petition for executive clemency, together with his recommendation that petition be granted, was forwarded to pardon attorney Reed Cozart." [FBI CG 87-11127]...
"History records that the Money Changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling money and its issuance." --James Madison