</s>178-10002-10091 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992 JFK Assassination System Dic: 8/3/17/201 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY : ROCKCOM RECORD NUMBER : 178-1002-100091 RECORD SERIES : SCHWARZER-MANFREDI FILES . AGENCY FILE NUMBER: S-M (IV-W) SCHWARZEN-MANFRIEDI FILES Document Information ORIGINATOR: ROCKEFELLER COMMISSION FROM: TO: TITLE: DEPOSITION OF WILLIAM C. STURBITTS DATE: 04/16/1975 PAGES: 113 SUBJECTS: ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES ASSASSINATIONS, FOREIGN LEADERS CIA CANDESTINE OPERATIONS CUBAN EXILES FERRIE, DAVID STURGIS, FRANK HUNT, E. HOWARD HUNTI, E NEW ORLEANS SHAW, CLAY STURBITS, WILLIAMS C. GARRISON, JIM DOCUMENT TYPE: DESPOSITION CLASSIFICATION : . RESTRICTIONS : IAC: IBC: IC CURRENT STATUS : Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 02/13/2001 OPENING CRITERIA: COMMENTS: Unknown whether name is releasable. 1 NW 50955 DocId: 32204971 Page 1

Summary  
The document contains a deposition from William C. Sturbitts dated April 16, 1975, detailing CIA operations in Cuba during the 1960s, including paramilitary activities, economic warfare, and propaganda efforts against Fidel Castro. It references discussions involving Bobby Kennedy and a Special Group overseeing anti-Castro operations, as well as potential assassination plans discussed internally but not executed. The text also mentions Frank Sturgis’ involvement in paramilitary actions against Cuba, though no confirmed CIA employment or funding is established for him. Other summaries describe CIA coordination with U.S. agencies like the Treasury Department and FBI to restrict Cuban nickel exports, sabotage infrastructure, and conduct maritime operations. These activities were planned under the Forty Committee’s approval and involved training exercises, logistical challenges, and cover companies like Zenith Corporation. The Miami Station, a major CIA facility in Florida, is highlighted for its role in monitoring Cuban exiles, managing covert operations, and conducting electronic intercepts. AMOTS (Agency for Monitoring and Operations Support Team) and LASER (Latin American Social and Economic Research) are referenced as CIA units involved in intelligence gathering and counterintelligence efforts. Howard Hunt’s status on November 22, 1963, is noted as sick leave according to financial records, though no direct link to JFK’s assassination is made.  

Key People  
- William C. Sturbitts: Former CIA Special Assistant for Latin America, involved in Cuban operations and discussions about anti-Castro plans.  
- Desmond Fitzgerald: Head of the CIA’s Special Activities Staff during Sturbitts’ tenure.  
- Ted Shackley: Former Chief of the Miami Station (1963).  
- Paul Henze: Succeeded Shackley as Miami Station Chief (1966–1968).  
- Jake Esterline: Miami Station Chief from 1968 to 1973.  
- Bobby Kennedy: Oversaw discussions about anti-Castro operations, possibly linked to a Special Group.  
- Frank Sturgis: Individual involved in paramilitary actions against Cuba; no confirmed CIA connection.  
- Howard Hunt: CIA operative; status on November 22, 1963, indicated as sick leave.  
- Clay Shaw: Mentioned as a potential intermediary for funding anti-Castro activities.  
- Eugene Martinez: Referenced in context of operation counts and Cuban exile networks.  

Key Locations  
- Washington D.C.: Headquarters for CIA operations and coordination.  
- Miami: Site of the Miami Station, which conducted Cuban operations and managed cover companies like Zenith Corporation.  
- Key West: Launching point for maritime operations against Cuba.  
- Homestead, Florida: Location of an electronic intercept facility (AMOTS).  
- Cuba: Target of economic sabotage, paramilitary raids, and intelligence activities.  
- New Orleans: Mentioned as a location for funding activities involving intermediaries.  
- Puerto Rico: Former CIA station location.  

Key Events  
- Establishment of Task Force W post-Bay of Pigs (April 1961) to oversee Cuban operations.  
- Discussions in Paris (October–November 1963) about potential assassination attempts against Fidel Castro, involving figures like Nestor Sanchez and Desmond Fitzgerald.  
- Economic warfare: Restricting nickel exports from French firms, leveraging American businesses for intelligence, and coordinating with the Treasury Department and FBI.  
- Paramilitary operations: Infiltration/exfiltration of agents, sabotage of Texaco refinery, cache-laying for Cuban agents, and maritime raids.  
- Training exercises in Florida and Virginia involving UDT teams (Underwater Demolition Teams) and model-based planning for refinery attacks.  
- Debriefing of Cuban refugees and collection of social/economic data by AMOTS.  
- Electronic interception of Cuban government communications in Homestead, targeting border guards, sugar networks, and maritime activities.  
- Monitoring of militant anti-Castro groups in Miami and coordination with law enforcement agencies.  
- Transfer of Cuban operations from the Miami Station to CIA Headquarters by June 30, 1965.  
- Disbandment of AMOTS by June 1965 and termination of covert action facilities.  

Key Organizations  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Conducted Cuban operations, including Task Force W, Special Activities Staff, and Cuban Operations Group.  
- Rockefeller Commission: Investigated CIA activities related to the JFK assassination and anti-Castro efforts.  
- Treasury Department: Coordinated economic measures against Cuba through Foreign Assets Control.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Collaborated with CIA on counterintelligence operations and monitoring anti-Castro groups.  
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Mentioned as handling information from individuals like Frank Sturgis.  
- AMOTS (Agency for Monitoring and Operations Support Team) and LASER (Latin American Social and Economic Research): CIA units involved in intelligence gathering and counterintelligence.  
- Zenith Corporation: Cover company used by the CIA for operational security.  
- Radio Swan: A radio station used for broadcasts targeting Cuba.  
- Revolutionary Democratic Front (FRD): Political front group associated with Cuban exile networks.  

Note: The document contains redacted social security numbers, which are noted but not included in the summary.

JFK Declassified Files

178-10002-10091.pdf

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