Don Sinicco was a [[San Francisco]] pharmaceutical salesman known as "Mr. Maalox" who founded [[USACA|United Support Against Communism in the Americas (USACA)]], a Contra support group, at the request of [[FDN]] political leader [[Adolfo Calero]].[^1] Born in Italy, Sinicco had lived there until 1938 when Mussolini came to power. He married Nydia Gonzales, daughter of a powerful [[Nicaragua|Nicaraguan]] general, and became fascinated with Nicaraguan politics. ### Formation of USACA In late 1983, Calero called Sinicco because of his letter-writing campaign to San Francisco newspapers protesting coverage of the [[Sandinistas]]. "He said, 'We need someone like you to help us get the word out. People will listen to you because you're an American,'" Sinicco recalled. At Calero's suggestion, Sinicco formed USACA. The small group of middle-class Nicaraguan exiles met regularly, casting about for ways to publicize the Contras' plight.[^1] [[Dennis Ainsworth]], a well-connected Republican, joined the group and transformed it. "That little group that used to meet at his house... would have done nothing if I hadn't come over and said, 'Look, I'll set these things up,'" Ainsworth said. Sinicco and the others were "very impressed" with Ainsworth's political connections and made him a director. Ainsworth arranged events at the Olympic Club, the [[Commonwealth Club]], and a private reception for Calero at the [[St. Francis Yacht Club]].[^1] ### Encounter with Norwin Meneses At a dinner at Caesar's Italian Restaurant after the yacht club event, [[Norwin Meneses]] paid the entire bill. Sinicco initially assumed one of the Cuban anti-Communists in the group had paid. At a cocktail party for Calero two days later, Sinicco photographed Calero in the kitchen huddled by the refrigerator with Meneses and FDN officials. When Sinicco snapped the picture, Meneses glared at him rather than smiling. Meneses began attending USACA meetings and made contributions — $160 in cash, plus picking up a $324.20 dinner tab.[^1] Sinicco kept meticulous records of USACA's activities, including attendance records, meeting minutes, and handwritten talking points listing "seven successes," including "Mr. Meneces' [sic] contribution." Sinicco said he never suspected Meneses was involved in criminal activities but noticed Ainsworth becoming disillusioned: "What always bothered me about Dennis is that towards the end, I don't know what, he seemed to get disillusioned or disgusted with Calero."[^1] ### Footnotes [^1]: Gary Webb, *Dark Alliance*, Chapter 9: "He would have had me by the tail"