On April 29, 1963, Robert E. Owen, then Chief, WE/3, and now of (deleted), directed a Memorandum to the Chief, Western Hemisphere/6, in which he documented a conversation he had with anti-Duvalier exile Raymond Cassagnol and Richard Bast. Robert E. Owen had been introduced to Richard Bast by his neighbor, Lloyd Furr.

Robert E. Owen stated: "Bast, in spite of certain personal shortcomings from the intelligence standpoint, does represent an established channel to one segment of the Haitian opposition to Duvalier." The CIA claimed Richard Bast was linked with William Turner of Ramparts magazine. In 1967 the Domestic Contacts Division decided against using Richard Bast as a source of information on Asia. In the mid-1970's this researcher spoke with Richard Bast who stated: "Garrison liked to burn hooker's titties with cigarettes." The FBI reported: "On July 27, 1966, (Deleted) advised District Attorney Garrison allegedly had purchased a bar in New Orleans and set up one Jackie Lee as manager. (Deleted) Source also said that Garrison is known to have associated with prostitutes in New Orleans." [FBI NO 62-9-33-617]

        In March 1967, after Gordon Novel fled New Orleans, the new tenant in his apartment found a letter written by him under the linoleum. This letter was obtained by The New Orleans States-Item. The note, written in Gordon Novel's handwriting, was seemingly addressed to his CIA contact: "Dear Mr. Weiss: This letter is to inform you that District [sic] Jim Garrison has subpoenaed myself and an associate to testify before this Grand Jury on matters which may be classified Top Secret. Actions of individuals connected with Double Chek Corporation in Miami in first quarter of 1961. Our connection and activity of that period involves individuals presently about to be indicted as conspirators in Mr. Garrison's investigation. We have temporarily avoided one subpoena...we want out of this thing before Thursday, March 1967...I have been questioned extensively by local FBI recently as to whether or not I was involved with Double Chek's parent holding corporation at the time. My reply on five queries was negative...Our attorneys and others are in possession of complete sealed files containing all information concerning matter. In the event of our sudden departure, either accidental or otherwise, they are instructed to simultaneously release same for public scrutiny..."

        At first the letter indicated Gordon Novel was afraid of Garrison, then it implied he was afraid of the CIA. Double Chek was a well-known CIA proprietary mentioned in The Invisible Government. The FBI Miami files contained Bulet November 12, 1964, captioned "Obtuse: ESP - R', Bufile 105-126649. This letter points out that the CIA had previously advised Gibralter Steamship Corporation, Vanguard Service Corporation, and the Double Check Corporation had been used by CIA, but operational interest in them was dropped after they were mentioned as CIA covers in the book entitled, 'The Invisible Government.'" The CIA maintained: "The (deleted) Double Check Corporation was not used by the CIA to recruit pilots for operations directed against the Castro Government as previously reported [by CIA liaison]. CIA did not become involved with Double Check Corporation (deleted) until after the Bay of Pigs invasion. After the unsuccessful invasion, CIA made arrangements (deleted) to use Double Check Corporation as a medium for compensating the 'Birmingham widows.'" [FBI 61-109060-5361, 5315]