Pseudonym: Pickworth, Neil
A cable from Richard Fallucci (William Wainwright) in August of 1962 stated that it was felt by the former that "Cubela's future handling should be done by a U.S. Spanish speaking case officer who is intimately familiar with the Cuban scene and Latin personality." The type felt to be most effective with Cubela was assigned as IDEN, and it was identified as Joseph Vidal.
FBI documents in 1963 and 1964 identified Joseph Vidal as an FBI informant. Also, in FBI memos in August of 1963, Joseph Vidal was described as being the "Agent in Charge of CIA Covert Office, Miami" and "CIA Liaison."
AMMUG-1's (Vladimir Lahera Rodriguez) PRQ Part II in November 1964, stated that Neil T. Pickworth was known to the former as "Garcia Perez." An undated Personal Record Questionnaire for AMMUG-1 included Joseph Vidal as Identity B (along with Daniel Flores, Joseph Piccolo, Balmes Hidalgo and Harold Swenson).
A dispatch in June of 1966 had Neil T. Pickworth's name possibly representing the Chief, WHD. Both the originator and coordinating officer of this dispatch was Joseph Vidal.
104-10244-10018: STATION ASSET REPORT
Undated CIA document: Subject: AMCORE-2 (Luis Ernesto Conte Aguero): Page 3: "Subject was initially contacted, interviewed and assessed in May 1960 by Neil T. Pickworth after his arrival in the U.S. See Headquarters' files..." - - Page 5: ..."f. Knowledge of KUBARK (CIA) and other case officers: Knows Neil T. Pickworth. Knows previous contacts Michael C. Choaden (David Phillips) as 'Donald Barton' and John P. Hassellstrom as 'Fred Martins'. Knows Binaural (probably Anthony Sileo) as 'Richardo Bolfort' and William R. Wibalda (probably Robert Wall) under true name." - - Page 7: ..."c. If previously used, production and evaluation: Not used prior to contact by Neil T. Pickworth..."
104-10165-10114: POLYGRAPH REPORT.
05/18/60: Memo from John M. Bren, Interrogation Research Division to Chief, Security Support Division: "Identifying Data: Subject is a thirty-five-year-old married Cuban national who recently fled to the United States and is presently residing in New York City. Subject, prior to his arrival in the U.S. was professionally occupied as a writer and radio and television commentator. He is a well-known personality in Cuba. Subject was contacted by Mr. Joseph Vidal, CI/Staff, who debriefed Subject and obtained PRQ information. Subject is being considered as a possible PP asset by this Agency. Procedure: 1. A polygraph interview was arranged for Subject at the request of Mr. J. Vidal on 12 May 1960 at a covert site in Washington, D.C. The interview and testing took place from 1430 to 1630 hours. Mr. Joseph Luna assisted as interpreter during the interview and testing. 2. Prior to testing, the undersigned reviewed the test questions with J. Vidal and it was determined that the test was to be basically devised to assist in ascertaining whether or not Subject is, or has been, sympathetic to Communism, whether Subject has been a member of any Communist organization, and whether the possibility exists that Subject is presently clandestinely connected with the Castro Government..."
104-10171-10033: ACTIVITIES OF THE DRE (DIRECTORIO REVOLUCIONARIO ESTUDIANTIL)
07/20/62: Memo from Neil T. Pickworth to COS, JMWAVE and Chief, Task Force W:
104-10215-10073: CABLE: IN LENGTHY MTGS 1 AND 2 AUG WITH FALLUCCI AND AMWHIP/1
08/03/62: Cable from Helsinki to Director: Slugline RYBAT GYROSE AMLASH: Page 2: ..."5. SUBJ most willing be debriefed all fields. F feels this and future handling best done by PBPRIME (U.S.) Spanish speaking C/O who intimately familiar Cuban scene and Latin personality. Type felt most effective with SUBJ is IDEN. Also recommend LCFLUTTER (polygraph - "lie detector" - testing) before using SUBJ if compatible his personality. Feel PARI best opportunity for above..." - - Page 4: Slugline RYBAT GYROSE AMLASH: RE HELS 1609* "IDEN: Joseph Vidal. C/S Comment: *No record in cable secretariat as of 1620 3 Aug 62."
08/05/63: Memo from SAC, Miami to Director: Subject: Rene Lamoru Vasquez, NM, (OO: Miami): ..."Upon recontact on 8/2/63; Mr. Joseph Vidal, Agent in Charge of CIA Covert Office, Miami, stated his office has a current operational interest in Lamoru, Morera; also in Eduardo Perez Gonzalez, affiliated with the former two in UNIR. Mr. Vidal requested that this office not conduct investigation of their anti-Castro activities at this time. Accordingly, cases in the Miami Office on the three Cuban exiles mentioned therein and in the organization UNIR, which Mr. Vidal also requested be excluded from investigation, are being placed in a closed status." Later in the month, Joseph Vidal was described as "CIA Liaison" in a FBI memo: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=124663&search=124-10332-10045#relPageId=4&tab=page
10/28/63: Memo from SAC, Miami to Director: Subject: Sentinels of Liberty, IS - CUBA: Page 2: ..."MM T-1 is Mr. Joseph Vidal, CIA, Miami. Mr. Vidal advised that the U.S. Government has an operational interest in Dr. Luis Conte..." - - A few months earlier, in July, 1963, Joseph Vidal, CIA, Covert, Miami, was MM T-2: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=91888&search=124-10306-10065#relPageId=2&tab=page - - A report in June 1964 by the FBI's Miami Office stated that Joseph Vidal, CIA, Miami, was informant MM T-5: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=80669&search=124-90063-10046#relPageId=4&tab=page
104-10308-10320: ATTRIBUTION OF PRESIDENT KENNEDY'S ASSASSINATION TO AN ALLEGED CHICOM/CASTRO PLOT
12/07/63: Memo from CAB, Joseph Vidal to Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation: "1. This office received information from a Western diplomat on 6 December 1963 which alleges that the assassination of President Kennedy was the result of a plot prepared and executed jointly by the Chinese and Fidel Castro through intermediaries. The diplomat obtained the information from as yet unidentified source whom the diplomat has tentatively described as 'very good.' The following are the basic ingredients of the allegation: a. Reportedly, Fidel Castro is extremely worried about the current probings taking place into the assassination of President Kennedy and about the possible findings that may ensue. b. The plot to assassinate President Kennedy was arranged by the Chicoms and Cuban sympathisers. About a dozen persons who were privy to the plot have been provisionally jailed in Cuba to prevent any indiscretions which could prove dangerous to the Cuban Government at this time. The diplomat's source himself is fearful that his arrest is imminent..."
04/23/64: Memo from SAC, Miami to Director: Subject: Movimiento Cristiano (MDC), IS-CUBA, Neutrality Matters... Page 2: ..."On 4-16-64, Mr. Joseph Vidal, CIA, Miami, advised that that agency has an operational interest in the DRE and its plans and operations for infiltrating teams and organizing the underground in Cuba. Vidal said that FBI investigation of the activities and interviews of DRE action group participants would interfere with these operations. Vidal said that the CIA has no operational interest in the MDC. Any investigation of the MDC or its activities would not interfere with CIA operations. Vidal said that if and when the DRE and the MDC would work together, the CIA would try to notify the FBI in advance as to CIA's interest or lack of operational interest in such an operation..."
104-10183-10257: PERSONAL RECORD QUESTIONAIRE PART 11 - OPERATIONAL INFORMATION
11/12/64: AMMUG-1 (Vladimir Lahera Rodriguez) PRQ Part II from CI/OA to C/WH/SA/CI: ..."3. List other case officers who have handled subject or whom he knows...: ....Neil T. Pickworth as Garcia Perez..."
104-10225-10034: PERSONAL RECORD QUESTIONNAIRE FOR AMMUG/l
Undated CIA document: Page 7: Separate Cover Attachment to UFGA-19738: "Section I. #3: Iden A: Daniel Flores. Iden B: Joseph Vidal. Iden C: Joseph Piccolo. Iden D: Balmes (Barney) Hidalgo. Iden E: Harold Swenson."
04/15/66: CIA document from Grace Roberts to Jose Vidal (possibly Joseph Vidal): Titled: Rolando Cubela Secades - Personality, Traits, Character: "The attached extracts of comments were all made by Bill Wainwright during meetings in 1962 with Subject. They may seem wordy - but since they are very readable and double-spaced - please bear with me, once more, and I shall attempt to reduce them and/or summarize them on Tuesday next when I shall be back. Thank you. Grace." - - According to a CIA document in June of 1965, Joseph Vidal was a current CIA employee, GS-13 (O&C-45387) - Supervisor: https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=31467&search=104-10120-10359#relPageId=2&tab=page
104-10054-10117: DISPATCH FORWARDING COPY OF AMMUG-1 DEBRIEFING.
06/15/66: Dispatch from Chief, Western Hemisphere Division to Chief of Base, Frankfurt (Attention: Joseph A. Langosch): "1. Forwarded herewith and under separate cover are the following: a. Split transmittal of memoranda received from AMMUG/1 (Vladimir Lahera Rodriguez) debriefing. b. Card index to names mentioned by AMMUG/1 during said debriefing. 2. As will be noted several of the memoranda have been sanitized in order to remove true designations and names. We do not feel, however, that the substantive information contained therein has been in any sense affected. Neil T. Pickworth." Originating Officer: Joseph Vidal. Office: WH/C/CICS. Coordinating Officer: Joseph Vidal. Office Symbol: C/WH/C/CICS. Releasing Officer: Richard Scully. Office Symbol: Chief E.