"NOTE: The CIA supplied Castro with guns during the Cuban revolution through many intermediaries, including Robert McKeown, Jack Ruby, and the Mafia. Following the revolution, mafia boss Santo Trafficante was arrested and held at Trescornia prison."

"The CIA, fearing that he would be interrogated and forced to admit CIA involvement, probably arranged for Ruby to get in touch with McKeown in annattempt to secure his release."

"The Warren Commission ignoredTrafficante, but the Chief Counsel of the HSCA, Richard Sprague, subpoenaed him and asked the following questions:"

"Mr. Trafficante, have you at any time!been an employee, a contract employee, or in any manner been in the service of the Central Intelligence Agency, or any other agency of the Federal Government of the United States?"

"Mr. Trafficante, have you ever met with representatives of the Central Intelligence Agency to discuss the assassination of various world leaders, including Fidel Castro?"

Mr. Trafficante, did you know Robert Maheu?
Mr. Trafficante, did you know Sam Giancana?
Mr. Trafficante, did you know John Rosselli?

"Mr. Trafficante, did you ever discuss with any individual plans to assassinate President Kennedy prior to his assassination?"

"Mr. Trafficante, prior to November 22, 1963, did you have information that President Kennedy was going to be assassinated?"

"Mr. Trafficante, is any agency of the US Government giving you any immunity with regard to any plans to assassinate world leaders?"

"Richard Sprague was not asking Trafficante about his involvement with the mafia. He was asking him about his involvement with the CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY."

"Sprague's focus on CIA involvement was the reason that he was soon forced out of the HSCA and replaced by Robert Blakey, who shifted the focus of attention onto the mafia and blamed them for the assassination."

(John Armstrong, "Harvey And Lee")

It should also be added, by THIS author, that Trafficante INVOKED THE FIFTH AMENDMENT to ALL of the above questions.