The award-winning author, journalist, and television producer Thomas Maier discusses the amazing story of the CIA's secret objective to assassinate Fidel Castro.  He explains how the mafia lost millions of dollars when Castro took control of Cuba and how the CIA used them to develop several schemes to kill the Cuban leader.  He spins the web by brining in the connection of the Kennedy family to the mafia and how the stars of the day such as Frank Sinatra was the connection between Kennedy, the mob, and the CIA.  He describes in detail the role that famous gangsters Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli played in the secret mission to assassinate Fidel Castro.  Maier explains the many wild methods and schemes such as exploding cigars, poisoning, diseased handkerchiefs, and bomb-laden sea shells - none of which were successful.  The author indicates that Kennedy's fascination with James Bond led to that having a direct influence on real world missions.  He explains the wild connections between Kennedy, Sinatra, Giancana, Roselli, and the women in their lives who played a major role in the story - to include a proposed hit on Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack.  He talks about the power struggled between Dulles/CIA and Hoover/FBI.  He details the Church Committee hearings in 1975 and how they led to the hits put on Sam Giancana and Johnny Roselli.  Maier finishes with secrets he uncovered in his research and even touches on the subject of who killed President Kennedy in 1963.

HOST:  Rob Mellon

FEATURED BREW:  Anti-Hero IPA, Revolution Brewing, Chicago, Illinois

BOOK:  Mafia Spies:  The Inside Story of the CIA, Gangsters, JFK and Castro
https://www.amazon.com/Mafia-Spies-Inside-Gangsters-Castro/dp/1510741712

MUSIC:  Bones Fork
https://bonesfork.com/