FRANK STURGIS
Talks to the FBI
[Reference: NARA RIF # 124-10302-10238]
Date: April 1, 1959
To: Mr. DeLoach
From: M. A. Jones
Subject: FRANK FIORINI, AKA.
FRANK ANTHONY STURGIS
IS - CUBA
SYNOPSIS:
Subject, an American citizen and Captain of Cuban Rebel Army, was
interviewed on March 31, 1959, upon referral from the Director's
Office. Fiorini advised that he was in the United States on a
confidential mission at the behest of head of Cuban Air Force who is
concerned with the growing menace of communism in the Cuban
Government. Fiorini furnished information concerning members and
leaders of the Cuban Government alleged to be communists or communist
sympathizers. He also furnished information concerning plans for
potential revolutions in Caribbean countries. Fiorini requested
aid in fighting communism in the Cuban Government. Fiorini's trip
was not known to Fidel Castro, Premiere of Cuba. Fiorini offered
his services as an "agent" for the United States Government in the
fight against infiltration of Cuban Government by communists.
Subject has previously been arrested by United States Customs on arms
charge and by Cuban authorities as suspected rebel courier and by
Mexican authorities in connection with arms smuggling.
Due to unofficial nature of this approach and because of the highly
unstable Cuban situation, no commitment was made for future
cooperation. Such a commitment, if revealed in Cuba, might bring
irrational charges by Castro of "American interference." At same
time Fiorini obviously has excellent potential to furnish us valuable
data and door was left open for future contact. Since Legal
Attache Haverty has been in contact with him we are soliciting comments
and recommendations of Haverty as to utilizing Fiorini to our
advantage. With clear and present need for first-hand data out of
Cuba it is not believed Fiorini's background should bar use of him but
we must, of course, be careful.
SEE RECOMMENDATIONS NEXT PAGE
1-Mr. Belmount
1-Mr. Donahoe
1-Mr. Nasca
1-Liaison
RWK:mjg (10)
M. A. Jones to Mr. DeLoach Memorandum
Re: FRANK FIORINI
RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) That a letter be prepared disseminating the pertinent information
furnished by Fiorini to State, CIA, military agencies, Customs and the
Department. Fiorini's name will not be divulged as the source of
this information in view of his potential future usefulness to Legat,
Havana.
(2) That a letter be prepared transmitting the information furnished by
Fiorini to the Legat, Havana, requesting his comments and
recommendations relative to the development of Fiorini as a source of
the Legat, Havana.
Frank Fiorini, also known as Frank Anthony Sturgis, was interviewed by
SA Krant and SA V. H. Nasca on March 31, 1959, upon referral from the
Director's Office. Fiorini exhibited a letter purportedly from
the Director of Inspections of the National Lottery Institute, Havana,
Cuba, appointing him Chief Inspector for all gambling casinos and
cabarets in Havana. Fiorini described himself as a Captain of the
Rebel Army and exhibited a document which he described as a credential
of his rank. He furnished his local address as the Mayflower
Hotel and indicated he planned to return to Havana by way of Miami
April 1, 1959. He gave his Havana address as the Inspector
General's Office, Camp "Tte Brihuega," Cuidad Militar, Havana. He
advised his father resides at 326 Bank Street, Norfolk, Virginia.
By way of background, Fiorini stated that he had served with Fidel
Castro's forces for the past two years. He stated that he had
been engaged in the raising of funds and arms both in Miami and Mexico,
and in other countries of Latin America. He stated that he had
also been engaged in the fighting in the mountain provinces of
Cuba. Upon the victory of the Castro forces, Fiorini was
appointed to his position as Chief Inspector of the gambling casinos
and as a Captain of the Cuban Air Force. His duties with the Air
Force involved his acting as liaison officer between the U. S. Air
Attache, Havana, and the Cuban Air Force. In connection with this
position he had, within the past week, presented his credentials to the
American Air Attache, Colonel Nichols (ph.). During the course of
his conversation with Colonel Nichols at the American Embassy, he
mentioned that he was concerned regarding the present status of his
American citizenship. Fiorini explained that while he had been
involved with the Cuban Rebels for the past few years, he cherished his
American citizenship and intended to protect it at all costs. He
was referred to the American Legal Attache James Haverty. He
indicated he planned to recontact Haverty later this week in
Havana. Fiorini was not advised that the Legal Attache was an FBI
representative.
PURPOSE OF VISIT TO THE BUREAU:
Fiorini stated that recently there was held in Havana a Ministers
conference attended by the heads of state of the Cuban
Government,. In attendance at this meeting was Fiorini's military
superior, Commandante Pedro Luis Diaz Lanz, who is Chief of the Cuban
Air Force. According to Fiorini, Diaz Lanz became concerned
during this meeting and afterward at the degree of control which
communists in the Cuban Government were able to exercise upon policy
making functions of the Government. Diaz Lanz discussed this with
his brother, Marcos Diaz Lanz, who is the Inspector General of the
Cuban Air Force and, as such, is the Number Two man in that
organization. Fiorini described the Diaz Lanz brothers as sincere
and ardent anticommunists. He stated that as part of his duties
as liaison representative with the American Embassy, he had attempted
to arrange social gatherings between the Embassy staff and the
Ambassador and the Cuban Air Force officials. His efforts in this
regard had been thwarted in view of the strong anti-American feelings
rampant in Havana at the present time. Fiorini attributes this
anti-Americanism to communist infiltration of all phases of the Cuban
Government. He advised that the Diaz Lanz brothers are acutely
aware of the situation. He suggested to them that contacts be
made and maintained with the American Embassy in Havana in order to
secure leadership or advice in fighting communism in the Cuban
Government. Not only was this suggestion turned down, but all
attempts at social contact between Air Force officials and the American
Embassy were expressly forbidden. In fact, a dinner engagement
arranged between the American Ambassador and the Diaz Lanz brothers was
called off upon orders from higher authorities. As an example of
communist power in the Government, Fiorini described a recent incident
in which an unnamed Cuban Air Force Officer had publicly made an
anticommunist statement. Pressure was brought to bear upon the
Commander of the Air Force by Ernesto "Che" Guevara, who was able to
immediately have this Air Force officer removed from the service.
Fiorini described Guevara as an Argentine medical doctor who has been
with Castro since the early days of the revolution. Guevara is
also described as a communist by Fiorini.
As a result of above incident and the growing communist threat in Cuba,
Fiorini was sent by the Diaz Lanz brothers to the United States
specifically to seek an interview with the Director for a twofold
purpose. The main purpose of the visit was to further acquaint
the Director with the power of the communists in their country, and
secondly, to state affirmatively their own anti-communist feelings and
beliefs. At the same time, they desired to offer to the U. S.
Government their services in the fight against communism in their
country. Fiorini emphasized that his visit to the Bureau was
strictly unofficial and only known to the Diaz Lanz brothers. He
noted that it was without the approval of Fidel Castro and that if this
visit becomes known to Castro, Castro would probably take serious
action against them. In addition, Fiorini transmitted the desire
of the Diaz Lanz brothers for aid from the FBI in the fight against
communism in their country. It was tactfully explained to Fiorini
that any request for such assistance would have to be made officially
and emanate from the Cuban Government and that this Bureau could not
offer advice as to how communism should be fought in Cuba. For
his own part, Fiorini offered to serve as an "agent" for the U. S.
Government in the battle against communism. Fiorini stated that
his position as an American citizen was unique in that he held a high
position, had fought the Batista Government with Castro and presently
enjoyed the trust and confidence of the Castro Government.
Fiorini was also advised that while the Bureau has no jurisdiction
overseas, his offer of cooperation would be made a matter of record and
any information he desired to volunteer would be accepted.
Fiorini indicated a desire to furnish further information to the Bureau
and stated he would either transmit this data by letter to the Director
or to the Legal Attache on his visit to him.
Fiorini indicated that the Cuban Government was extremely anxious to
have an FBI Identification check made of the gamblers in Cuba and he
believed that such a request would be officially made through the
Embassy. He added that regulations concerning the gambling
industry in Havana were chaotic at the present time. He stated
while he had been appointed Chief Inspector of the gambling casinos, he
had only a rudimentary knowledge of gambling, particularly as it is
applied in casinos.
He noted that the ruse used in making this trip was an ostensible trip
to Miami for the purpose of purchasing military clothing for the Cuban
Air Force. At the time of his visit to the Bureau, Cuban
officials in Havana were of the belief that he was visiting relatives
in Norfolk, Virginia.
COMMUNISM IN CUBA:
Fiorini brought with him a list of eight names of officials and leaders
of the Cuban Government. According to Fiorini, these men are
commonly referred to as communists in Cuba. These are: Alfredo
Guevara, described by Fiorini as a "teacher" of military officers of
the Cuban Armed Forces. Fiorini stated that Guevara had recently
given an indoctrination speech to Air Force officers which he had
attended. This speech was openly procommunist.
Baco Alonso. Fiorini stated that Alonso is a member of the National Fine Arts Commission.
Antonio Nunez Jimenez and Emil Roig de Leuschenroig, described by
Fiorini as authors who are currently indoctrinating the military and
school personnel with communist propaganda.
Ernesto "Che" Guevara, described above, is said by Fiorini reasons that
Guevara, because of his known communist beliefs, is intentionally
keeping out of the public eye and awaiting developments which might
present a better opportunity for him to press his beliefs upon the
Cuban government.
Carlos Franqui, described by Fiorini as the Editor of the newspaper, "Revolucion."
Antonia Antuna, described by Fiorini as an official of the National Institute of Culture which is under the Education Ministry.
Casals Perez, described by Fiorini as the Chief of the "Rebel Radio."
Fiorini stated that he could furnish no further information concerning
the above-listed or others suspected of communist beliefs in the Cuban
Government at this time. He advised that he believed he could
secure further information concerning the communist problem from his
sources in Havana and throughout Cuba. When this material is
assembled, he will offer it to the American Government by writing to
Mr. Hoover directly or through personal contact with the American Legal
Attache, Mr. Haverty.
Regarding Fidel Castro, Fiorini stated that it is his belief that
Castro is not a communist; however, he and the Diaz Lanz brothers and
other anticommunists in the Cuban Government are concerned and alarmed
over the fact that known communists are being appointed to positions of
power in the Cuban Government. Also, Castro, at meetings over
which he presides has permitted procommunists and anti-American
utterances to be made without protest when he could, in Fiorini's
opinion, cut off such talk merely by indicating that he disapproves of
it. Fiorini also feels that there is a possibility because of the
growing unemployment and accompanying unrest that the political
situation might get out of control of Castro and that the communists
might then take over the Government. He stated that Castro is, in
his opinion, a socialist and that he has the best interests of the
Cuban people at heart; however, Castro is somewhat of an idealist, and
it is his fear that Castro might be swayed by the communists to the
belief that communism might be necessary to fulfill the purposes and
ideals of the revolution.
INFORMATION CONCERNING PLANS TO INVADE CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES:
Fiorini advised that there were various revolutionary groups in Havana,
all of which were trying to contact Fidel Castro for assistance.
He stated that these groups were having a difficult time in contacting
Castro as Castro was too busy with Cuban affairs to deal with them
directly. Accordingly, representatives of these groups have been
referred to other Cuban officials. He stated that he has
personally been contacted by representatives of these groups. He
stated that he is presently assisting in the organization of a General
Staff which includes General Ramirez, a Dominican, and a Colonel Gomez,
a Nicaraguan, ultimate purpose of which is the overthrow of the present
Nicaraguan Government. The present procedure, according to
Fiorini, is to establish a General Staff and to lay plans for an
invasion of a particular country. When the Staff is organized and
the plans formulated, the General Staff goes to Fidel Castro to seek
financial and military aid and personnel to carry out their
plans. Fiorini stated that the ultimate objective of all
revolutionary groups in Cuba was the overthrow of the Dominican
Republic. He stated the general plan is to neutralize Central
America by ridding the area of present dictators and utilizing Central
America and Cuba as bases of operations against the Dominican
Republic. He stated these plans call for the elimination of
President Somoza of Nicaragua first and the establishment of an
"honest" Government there. With the help of the Costa Rican
Government, their intent is then to unite Central America against the
Trujillo regime in the Dominican Republic.
Fiorini stated that the revolutionary groups intend to overthrow the
present Government of Panama. He stated they felt that the
American Government would aid in this endeavor inasmuch as the present
Panama Government was not considered to be pro-American.
Upon the neutralization of hostile governments in Central America, the
revolutionists intend to place guerrilla troops in the northern
mountains of the Dominican Republic. Their intent to place
guerrilla troops in the northern mountains of the Dominican
Republic. Their intent is to divide the Trujillo forces by this
maneuver. To secure another base for their operations, it is
planned to overthrow the Government of Haiti. Fiorini stated that
the revolutionaries are aware of the power of Trujillo. He stated
that at the present time they cannot count upon the help of the
"peasants" of the Dominican Republic. He stated that if Trujillo
military forces could be divided, then the government could be
overthrown.
Fiorini was pressed for specifics concerning all these plans but he
repeatedly stated that they were all in the talk, planning for
formative state and that no concrete dates had been set for any of
these alleged invasions. He emphasized that the people connected
with these plans were, at the present time, without sufficient funds,
personnel or equipment to initiate operations.
Fiorini advised that he took the position on the General Staff so that
he would be in a position to furnish information to the U. S.
Government. He stated that he had been asked to accept this
position on the General Staff by Dr. Enrique Henriquez, brother-in-law
of former Cuban President Carlos Prio Socarras, who was presently in
Cuba. Fiorini indicated that he would be most willing to continue
his work on the General Staff planning invasions if he could be of use
to the U. S. Government. He was advised that this was a decision
that he himself would have to make.
Fiorini advised that at the present time there was no group in Cuba
powerful enough to overthrow Castro and he mentioned that Fidel Castro
in a recent speech indicated there was anti-Castro activities in
Miami. He was pressed for specifics but could only advise that he
had heard that the Rolando Masferrer group in Miami was active against
Castro and that a boat allegedly had been purchased in Miami for an
invasion of Cuba.
Fiorini advised that he will make available to the Director or to the
Legal Attache, Havana, any further information which he received
concerning potential invasions of Caribbean countries.
Fiorini is the subject of a pending investigation which was initiated
in July, 1958. This investigation indicated that the subject was
engaged in Cuban revolutionary activities in behalf of the July 26
revolutionary movement and possibly served as a courier for the Cuban
Rebels from the United States. Investigation indicated that
subject was arrested in Cuba 7-18-58 as suspected rebel courier and
informally deported. He engaged in the smuggling of arms to Cuba
and was arrested July 30, 1958, by Customs for the illegal possession
of arms and exporting arms without a license. He was interviewed
9-24-58 concerning his activities by Miami Office, admitting
revolutionary activity but denying arms and courier charges. He
was reportedly arrested by Mexican authorities in connection with plan
to carry arms from Mexico to Castro and was released.
The Department on October 22, 1958, advised that the subject's
activities brought him within the purview of the registration Act and
was soliciting his registration. We have continued to follow
Fiorini's activities in view of his activities with Castro
forces. His FBI Number is 948362C and his record indicates he was
arrested 7-18-58 by the Cuban Army Military Intelligence Service on a
charge of investigation and by U> S. Marshal, Miami, 7-30-58 for
illegal possession of arms. No disposition of these charges is
shown. There is no indication in the files of the Identification
Division that the subject is wanted. We have disseminated reports
concerning Fiorini to the Department, State, CIA, the military
agencies, INS and Customs.
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