Home/ Resources / Projects / CIA Cryptonyms / bigram: LI / cryptonym: LICRAB-1

Cryptonym: LICRAB-1

Definition:

A still unidentified law student, whose primary task was to wiretap KGB officer Sergey Konstantinov. According to Mexico City station monitor Boris Tarasoff, Sergey Konstantinov may have the Soviet officer who allegedly spoke to Lee Oswald on 9/28/63, because he was one of the two Soviet embassy officers who had a strong command of English.

Status:

Unknown

Discussion:

Sergey Sergeyevich Konstantinov is the full name of the Soviet officer. http://maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=55471&relPageId=164&search=konstantinov Boris Tarasoff named Konstantinov in this document: http://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=258&relPageId=104&search=konstantinov It is important to note that the first written report assessing the results of the hunt for an apartment adjacent to Konstantinov is dated 10/9/63, just one week after the alleged Oswald visit to Mexico City and one day after Mexico City's initial report about the visit. This is it: http://maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=44785&search=%22mexi_in+process%22#relPageId=2&tab=page

Sources:

104-10527-10078: CABLE: MEXI IN PROCESS COMPLETING CASING OF APARTMENT BUILDING IN WHICH RESIDE

10/9/63, LCIMPROVE memo MEXI 6448 from Mexico City to Director: "1. Mexi in process completing casing of apartment building in which reside Sov min counselor Kazantsev, suspect KGB, and Sov First Sec Konstantinov, suspect KGB resident, vacant apartment available immediately adjoining Kazantsev (sixth floor), and another available directly over Konstantinov who (is) on third. 2. Desire HQs decision whether Mexi should go ahead (and) rent and staff LP (listening post) if casing results favorable. Approximate commitment for year 63-(illegible). Will have to recruit new family for LP. If all ops factors equal, will try get fourth floor apt."

104-10529-10299: CABLE: HQS APPROVES ATTEMPT PLACE TECHNICAL SURVEILLANCE

DIR 74584, ref 6448, LCIMPROVE memo from Charlotte Bustos at HQ to Mexico City: "HDQS approves attempt place technical surveillance on apts of both Kazantsev and Konstantinov. Temporarily charge costs to (illegible). Dispatch follows re projects for this type (of) operation."

104-10093-10054: CABLE REQUESTING NAME TRACES

10/18/63, Immediate action LCIMPROVE memo MEXI 6572 ref DIR 74584, from Mexico City to Director: "1. Request traces and initiation POA on Jorge Lopez Ochoa age about 27 born Mexico City, candidate for LP role ref op. No Mexi traces. 2. Subj spotted by REDACTED is general manager for personnel and finances of one of REDACTED firms, has been with REDACTED for five years. 3. Will have Marheine meet assess and obtain bio data after receipt HQs traces which request ASAP...no other appropriate station assets presently available for role and new requirement must be effected soonest order not lose apartment."

104-10100-10262: NO HQS TRACES

10/22/63 LCIMPROVE cable DIR 77833 from WH/3/Mexico T. Ward to Mexico City (ref MEXI 6572): "No HDQS traces Jorge Lopez Ochoa, initiating POA. Forward complete PRQ I ASAP." (PRQ = Personal Record Questionnaire).

104-10093-10181: CABLE: SUBJECTS REASON TURNING DOWN PITCH

10/26/63 LCIMPROVE cable MEXI 6683 from Mexico City to Director (ref DIR 77833): "Pitch made to subj ref 25 Oct by Marheine. Subj turned it down citing as decisive reason his duty remain same apartment with ailing mother. Subj verbally agreed maintain secrecy re pitch and disclosures...having LIEMPTY-3 reemphasize reinforce with subj necessity maintain security. Basis subj's apparent good will as determined by Marheine, and subject's dependence job-wise on L-3, have little doubt that subj will keep matter secret...will continue try develop op but with LP assets other from L-3."

1993.07.19.16:19:50:870340: PHOTOCOPIES OF ALL CABLES (SOME IN REPORT FORM) SENT FROM MEXICO STATI

11/19/63 cable from Mexico City to Director(MEXI 6962 ref MEXI 6683): "Request traces subj below who is candidate for role...law student...father Leo Rodriguez deceased."

104-10529-10005: CABLE: STATION FAVORABLY ASSESSED AND RECRUITED SUBJ REF A 27 NOV

12/01/63, cable from Mexico City to Director (MEXI 7134 ref MEXI 6962 and DIR 84154): "Station favorably assessed and recruited subject Ref A Nov. 27" will move in Dec. 1. Note that Tessarolo took out the option in subject's name...request to assign crypto to subject.

104-10098-10152: DISPATCH:LICRAB/1 - ASSIGNMENT OF CRYPTONYM

12/6/63 dispatch HMMW-12118 - ref MEXI 7134, MEXI 6962 - from C/WH Oliver Galbond/J.C. King to Chief, Mexico City Win Scott: "Subject of reference has been assigned 201-740227 and the cryptonym LICRAB-1".

104-10062-10227: DOCUMENT LISTINGS

12/13/63 follow-up on 201-740227; we see further follow-up on 12/27/63, see https://www.maryferrell.org/showDoc.html?docId=150662&relPageId=16

Contributors:

Bill Simpich • Matthew Scheufele