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Cryptonym: AMCHEETAH

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Definition:
AMCHEETAH was Anthony J. Vaughn, a male United States citizen, and hotel manager - probably at the Hotel Vasco de Quiroga in Mexico City.
Status:
Documented
Discussion:
A dispatch on November 18, 1963, on LCHARVEST/AMCHEETAH, included the references MEXI 6345, 1 October 1963; MEXI 6346. The dispatch stated that "when the Station proposed the operation outlined in references, Headquarters requested a priority POA to cover the use of Subject in this operation and for his use in general support type work for the Station. It is requested that you inform Headquarters whether the Station plans to have a continuing Ops interest in Subject, and if so, please provide field traces and a revised PRQ part II."

A cable from Mexico City on October 1, 1963, CITE MEXI 6346, stated that the identity was "Anthony J. Vaughn, American citizen, hotel manager." Therefore, Vaughn was AMCHEETAH.

A FBI memo in December of 1955, on American gambling activities in Cuba, stated that "Mr. Anthony Vaughn, manager of the Hotel Nacional, advised on December 9, 1955, that the gambling casino there will open within two weeks. He stated the hotel has signed an agreement with Tom McGinty and Sam Tucker, of the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, as owners of the casino and with Wilbur Clark who will operate the gambling tables.
Sources:

124-90068-10001: No Title

12/14/55: FBI memo from Legal Attaché - Havana to Director: Subject: AMERICAN GAMBLING ACTIVITIES IN CUBA: Page 3: "Mr. Anthony Vaughn, manager of the Hotel Nacional, advised on December 9, 1955, that the gambling casino there will open within two weeks. He stated the hotel has signed an agreement with Tom McGinty and Sam Tucker, of the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, as owners of the casino and with Wilbur Clark who will operate the gambling tables. Vaughn advised that the hotel would have no interest in the operation of the casino and that although he was strongly opposed to the idea, there would be 'no limit' stakes placed and the casino would be the biggest in Cuba. Vaughn stated that in the agreement with McGinty and Tucker, the hotel had the responsibility of obtaining a license for the casino and that in obtaining it he was required to make a $25,000 donation to the Cuban Tourist Commission in addition to the $25,000 license fee. Two extra copies of this letter are attached for forwarding by the Bureau to the Miami Office..." - - - On Page 2 of this memo the PSI was redacted: On the 2018 release it was unredacted, it was Norman Rothman: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=166735#relPageId=2

124-90008-10016: No Title

09/27/61: Report from SA J. F. Cunningham at Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands: "Mr. Cyril E. King, Government Secretary, Government of the Virgin Islands of the United States, made available for review the Corporation File in his office concerning the Morning Star Hotels, Inc., doing business as the Flamboyant Hotel and also the New Flamboyant Hotel. The above file contained essentially the following information: Articles of Incorporation for the Morning Star Hotels Inc., were filed on January 5, 1949, with the office of the Government Secretary and also in the office of the Clerk of the District Court of the Virgin Islands, and authority was granted for the corporation to carry on business in the municipality of St. Thomas and St. John, Virgin Islands of the U.S. The above Articles of Incorporation were filed on December 14, 1948 by the following individuals: Anthony J. Vaughn, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, Virgin Islands; William W. Bailey (same address); David E. Maas (same address). The directors selected to serve for the first year were indicated as follows: Anthony J. Vaughn...In a letter dated February 18, 1950, to the Acting Governor of the Virgin Islands, Mr. J. M. Okean, Vice-President, Morning Star Hotels, Inc., indicated that he had purchased a section of property in St. Thomas, a parcel of Estate Bakkero #5 (a), Frenchman's Bay Qtr., Muhlenfels Point, on behalf of a group of persons who took over the entire stock of an existing corporation from Anthony J. Vaughn, who prior to this time, was the grantee of the same property from the Municipality of St. Thomas.."

104-10092-10214: PLANS OF CONFERENCE ATTENDEES

10/1/63 cable MEXI 6345 from Mexico City to Director re conference: "Conferences which REDACTED will attend to be held at Polytechnical Institute (IPN) which located far from Center City and appropriate hotels. Delegates will be housed however in Hotel Maria Isabel which in Center City. Station has reserved adjoining rooms in Hotel Vasco de Quiroga, which near Maria Isabel, for period 7, 8 Oct to permit bugging for which will be then rebooked in true name STFADELESS-6. Adjoining room will be rebooked under alias name for listening post. Iden, longtime (CIA) contact, is wittingly assisting us in setting up above arrangements...station requested LITEMPO assistance in getting tourist visa for STFADELESS-6..."

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/jfk/releases/2023/104-10092-10215.pdf

10/01/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: PRIORITY HONG INFO DIR CITE MEXI 6346: Slugline KAPOK LCHARVEST: REF MEXI 6345 (IN 30934) "IDEN is Mr. Anthony J. Vaughn, American citizen, hotel manager."

1994.06.17.11:32:59:600005: Reel 47, Folder H - MEXI 6320 - 6417 CABLES.

10/01/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: PRIORITY (REDACTION) INFO DIR CITE MEXI 6346: Slugline KAPOK (REDACTION): REF MEXI 6345 (IN 30934) "IDEN is Mr. (REDACTION) American citizen, hotel manager."

104-10092-10300: CABLE: ATTENDEES AT MEXICAN ARCHITECTS MEETING

10/05/63: Cable from Mexico City to Director: DIR INFO HONG CITE MEXI 6414: Slugline KAPOK LCHARVEST: REF DIR 75460* "1. Reservations made per para 1 ref. 2. Many architects, incl Corona (see para 4 MEXI 6345)** arrived Mexico from Cuba via Cubana airlines 4 Oct. No Chinese aboard. Presume Chinese delegation will arrive via Cubana on scheduled 7 Oct flight. STGOAL-1 was scheduled take side trip to Merida 4 to 7 Oct, but appears he did not. He also listed to take side trip to Acapulco starting 13 Sept. 3. Will try get info requested ref from conference HQs, but failing this feel sure Corona can supply on his return from Merida evening 7 Oct. Corona to go Acapulco also. C/S Comment:..** IN 30934."

104-10098-10159: DISPATCH: AMCHEETAH - POA REQUEST

11/18/63: Dispatch from Chief, WH Division to COS, Mexico City: Subject: LCHARVEST/AMCHEETAH, 201-77790: REFS: MEXI 6345, 1 October 1963; MEXI 6346: "1. When the Station proposed the operation outlined in references, Headquarters requested a priority POA to cover the use of Subject in this operation and for his use in general support type work for the Station. 2. It is requested that you inform Headquarters whether the Station plans to have a continuing Ops interest in Subject, and if so, please provide field traces and a revised PRQ part II."

Contributors:
Gavin McDonald

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