When Howard Hughes Fired CIA Cutout Robert Maheu

Robert Maheu was hired by Howard Hughes in 1955 to investigate a suitor of Hughes' fiancée, Jean Peters. Though Maheu and Hughes never met in person, Maheu became Hughes' close confidant until being dismissed in 1970. A power struggle with Hughes' “Mormon Mafia” led by Frank William Gay contributed to his firing, and Hughes publicly accused Maheu of theft. This resulted in Maheu suing Hughes for defamation. Hughes later called Maheu “dishonest” and accused him of harassment, which led Maheu to file a successful libel suit against Hughes' company, though the $2.8 million judgment was overturned on appeal. Earlier in his career, Maheu reportedly had government-backed authorization from Richard Nixon to disrupt a business deal involving Aristotle Onassis.

Maheu worked as a "cut-out" operative for the CIA, handling assignments where official CIA involvement couldn't be acknowledged. His investigative agency was reportedly the inspiration for Mission Impossible. In 1960, the CIA tasked Maheu with approaching mobster Johnny Roselli to discuss assassinating Fidel Castro. Presenting himself as an agent for international corporations, Maheu offered $150,000 for the plot, which Roselli declined but introduced him to mob bosses Sam Giancana and Santo Trafficante, Jr. This collaboration with the Mafia stemmed from mutual concerns over Castro’s impact on their Cuban investments. In 1975, Maheu testified to the Church Committee about his role, viewing it as part of a “just war.” CIA records later provided further insights into the plot.