Peter Zokosky

Peter Zokosky was an arms manufacturer and a key figure in various covert operations and business ventures, often associated with Robert Booth Nichols and Michael Riconosciuto. He was a former president of Armtec, a company that produced combustible cartridge cases for the Army, and was under a non-compete agreement with them until August 1981. Zokosky also served as a consultant to the British Government on shell casings.¹

Involvement in Cabazon/Wackenhut Joint Venture

Zokosky was a key participant in the Cabazon/Wackenhut Corporation Joint Venture, which aimed to develop and manufacture arms on the reservation. He was considered crucial due to his expertise in the slurry process involved in combustible cartridge cases. He met with Michael Riconosciuto, Dr. John Philip Nichols, and Robert Frye at Picatinny Arsenal in May 1981, where Riconosciuto demonstrated his scientific and technical knowledge of weapons systems, particularly on a Railgun. Zokosky was also present at the September 10, 1981, Lake Cahuilla weapons demonstration in Indio, California, where night-vision goggles and rifles were tested for Contra leaders.¹

Biological Warfare Technology

Zokosky was involved in the proposed development of biological warfare "viruses" at Stormont Laboratories, allegedly developed in cow uteri. He, along with Robert Booth Nichols, presented a proposal to develop biological warfare technology and anti-toxin kits to the Army (Dr. Harry Fair at Picatinny Arsenal) and to FMC Corporation. This technology was described as capable of selectively wiping out segments of humanity with appropriate genetic material. Zokosky also discussed incubating viruses in fish tanks at Hercules Research, where Michael Riconosciuto allegedly worked on the same technology.¹

Connections to Robert Booth Nichols and Meridian International Logistics

Zokosky was a board member of MIL, a holding company headed by Robert Booth Nichols. He stated that MIL was a "front company" used to funnel money to its board of directors, with funds allegedly coming from the NSA, partly from drug profits. He believed that Robert Booth Nichols worked for the NSC and NSA, doing "contract work" for various government agencies, and that Nichols handled "corporate and government" transactions related to narcotics at a higher level.¹

Zokosky and Nichols were involved in a proposed joint venture with FMC Corporation, where Michael Riconosciuto was Vice President of Meridian Arms. Zokosky also discussed Robert Booth Nichols and Michael Riconosciuto conducting business in Australia, which he thought had something to do with the Nugan Hand Bank.¹

Role in "The Octopus" Investigation

Peter Zokosky was a key source for Cheri Seymour's investigation into "The Octopus." He provided Seymour with a copy of the "Special Operations [Surveillance] Report" on the Lake Cahuilla meeting, which he had obtained from a friend in Washington D.C. He also provided an audio-taped conversation with Michael Riconosciuto narrating the murders of Paul Morasca and Mary Quick, and their connection to drug operations. Zokosky stated that Paul Morasca was killed due to a "narcotics deal" gone awry and his involvement in laundering drug profits.¹

Zokosky was initially defensive about Danny Casolaro's death, stating he believed Casolaro committed suicide, though his wife, Regina Zokosky, indicated he had previously said otherwise. He allowed Cheri Seymour and Kelly O'Meara to review a manuscript written by Robert Booth Nichols about Danny Casolaro's death, titled "Danny Casolaro's Octopus."¹

He also provided Cheri Seymour with a handwritten "Time Line" outlining a chronology of events from 1981 to 1985, which proved helpful in the investigation of the Fred Alvarez triple murders. Zokosky confirmed that Dr. John Philip Nichols had an alibi for the Alvarez murders, as he was in Canada with Zokosky at the time.¹

Other Connections

Zokosky claimed to have served in ONI (Office of Naval Intelligence) in submarines during World War II and performed "remote viewing" for the military between the 1950s and 1970s at Hewlett Packard Corporation. He also identified himself as a psychic and a member of the Psychic Association of London, using Tarot Cards for readings.¹

He was an investor in the Cabazon Indian Reservation and a skeet range, though he stated that the Mob built the Casino for the Cabazons. He also testified on behalf of Patrick McGuire at the Montana Freeman trial.¹