---
category: PROMIS Scandal
summary: Frye met with Michael Riconosciuto and Dr.
tags:
- Person
- PROMIS
---

[Robert Frye](/people/robert-frye/) was the Executive Vice President of [Wackenhut Corporation](/organizations/wackenhut-corporation/) in Indio, [California](/places/california/). He was involved in the [Cabazon](/places/cabazon-indian-reservation/)/[Wackenhut Corporation](/organizations/wackenhut-corporation/) Joint Venture, which aimed to develop and manufacture arms on the reservation.[^1]

Frye met with [Michael Riconosciuto](/people/michael-riconosciuto/) and [Dr. John Philip Nichols](/people/dr-john-philip-nichols/) at Picatinny Arsenal in May 1981, where Riconosciuto conducted a theoretical blackboard exercise on a Railgun for [Dr. Harry Fair](/people/dr-harry-fair/). Frye was present when Dr. Fair commented on Riconosciuto's scientific and technical knowledge, terming him a "potential national resource."[^1]

Frye suffered a heart attack in early April 1983 and was hospitalized. After this, he never traveled to [California](/places/california/) to meet with [Dr. John Philip Nichols](/people/dr-john-philip-nichols/) or the Cabazons again. [Wackenhut Corporation](/organizations/wackenhut-corporation/)'s involvement with the Cabazon Joint Venture virtually ceased, and it was formally terminated in October 1984.[^1]

[Robert Chasen](/people/robert-chasen/), Executive Vice President of [Wackenhut Corporation](/organizations/wackenhut-corporation/) in Coral Gables, stated that Frye went behind his back in facilitating the biological warfare technology project at the Indio facility. Chasen believed Frye and [Dick Wilson](/people/dick-wilson/) were "dazzled" with [Robert Booth Nichols](/people/robert-booth-nichols/), despite Chasen's own distrust of Nichols.[^1]

---

[^1]: Seymour, Cheri. *The Last Circle: Danny Casolaro’s Investigation into the Octopus and the PROMIS Software Scandal*. First Edition. TrineDay, 2010.