Pseudonym: Ratigan, Leroy
A cable on September 27, 1962, stated that Leroy K. Ratigan was in Hong Kong. The cable then instructed Hong Kong station to "please contact and tell him he will be contacted on arrival MEXI by station rep who will discuss his cooperation with KUBARK (CIA) on Mexican president's trip. MEXI contact will identify self as friend IDEN." A cable the same day stated that IDEN was Joseph Distefano.
104-10187-10030: (ASSET) OPERATIONS (VOL. VI).
09/27/62: Cable from Director to Hong Kong (Info: Mexico City, Rome): (Orig: Charlotte Bustos, WH/3/Mexico): RYBAT: "Leroy K. Ratigan now HONG staying Peninsula Hotel thru 29 Sep. Please contact and tell him he will be contacted on arrival MEXI by station rep who will discuss his cooperation with KUBARK (CIA) on Mexican president's trip. MEXI contact will identify self as friend IDEN." Releasing Officer: (Handwritten: Signature for) Desmond FitzGerald, C/FE. Authenticating Officer: (Handwritten: Signature for) J.C King, C/WHD.
104-10187-10030: (ASSET) OPERATIONS (VOL. VI).
09/27/62: Cable from Director to Hong Kong: REF DIR 38928 (OUT 81430): "IDEN is Mr. Joseph Distefano. C/S Comment: *Dissemination applicable to RYBAT cables." Releasing Officer: (Handwritten: Signature for) Desmond FitzGerald, C/FE. Authenticating Officer: (Handwritten: Signature for) J.C King, C/WHD.
104-10187-10030: (ASSET) OPERATIONS (VOL. VI).
09/29/62: Cable from Mexico City to Director (Info: Rome): RYBAT: REF: A - DIR 38428 (OUT 80619;): B MEXI 2049 (IN 29411): "1. Plan brief Ratigan as follows: A. Background Ricardo Jose Zevada and Alejandro Carrillo Marcor and suggest Ratigan observe who their closest contacts in presidential party, degree their access to president and other ranking MEXI officials, and identities any obvious foreign contacts in countries visited. B. Identities individuals in official party who express anti-U.S. and/or pro-Castro sympathies. C. Identities individuals who seem be closest to president. D. All info heard about identity next MEXI president. 2. Above requirements are guides only and station aware that Ratigan probably will not have degree access to report other than fragmentary info. Nevertheless MEXI will appreciate any info developed by Ratigan."
104-10187-10030: (ASSET) OPERATIONS (VOL. VI).
10/01/62: Cable from Director to Mexico City (Info: Rome): (Orig: C. Bustos, WH/3/Mexico): "1. According latest info available, Ratigan (IDEN A of DIR 38428) will not accompany PANAM charter but company has ordered him precede charter by one stop at all times. Will not travel MEXI. 2. Regrettably KUBARK (CIA) will not have coverage via Ratigan originally planned. *WH Comment: Ratigan plans to travel Mexi late 1 Oct and Mexi Station can reach at Hotel Reforma or Panan Station Manager at airport. **Sets forth Station requirements for Ratigan." Releasing Officer: R. W. Herbert for C/WHD. Coordinating Officer: Wyatt (in draft), C/WE/4. Authenticating Officer: (Handwritten: Signature for) C/WH/3.
104-10187-10030: (ASSET) OPERATIONS (VOL. VI).
10/02/62: Cable from Mexico City to Director: "1. Naval attaché advised that Rear Admiral R.C. Benitez, U.S.N. (Retired), will accompany MEXI presidential party on coming trip. 2. Believe Benitez is executive with Pan Am Latin American Division in Miami."