(Testimony of Orest Pena)
Mr. Liebeler.
Would you state your full name for the record.
Mr. Pena.
Orest Penn.
Mr. Liebeler.
That's O-r-e-s-t P-e-n-a; is that correct?
Mr. Pena.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
What is your address?
Mr. Pena.
117 Decatur.
Mr. Liebeler.
IS that your place of business or is that your residence?
Mr. Pena.
No; that's my place of business. On the ground floor is my place of business. On the second floor, in the rear of the second floor I live.
Mr. Liebeler.
I am an attorney for the President's Commission. I understand that the Secret Service served a subpena on you last week and you are here under that subpena at this time. The rules of the Commission entitle you to have your lawyer present if you wish.
Mr. Pena.
I don't think I need him.
Mr. Liebeler.
You have the right under our rules not to answer any question that you don't want to answer in the first instance, specifying the reasons if you do refuse to answer any questions.
I am here under the authority granted to the Commission by Executive Order No. 11130, dated November 29, 1963, and joint resolution of Congress No. 137. I understand that attached to the subpena are copies of the Executive order that I have referred to and rules of the Commission; is that correct?
(The witness handed document to counsel.)
Mr. Liebeler.
Yes; they are attached. Where were you born, Mr. Pena?
Mr. Pena.
In Colon, Cuba.
Mr. Liebeler.
When?
Mr. Pena.
August 15, 1923.
Mr. Liebeler.
Are you a citizen of the United States?
Mr. Pena.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
When did you become a citizen?
Mr. Pena.
I became a citizen May 5, 1956.
Mr. Liebeler.
And you became a citizen through naturalization; is that correct?
Mr. Pena.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
The place of business that you have at 117 Decatur Street is a bar and lounge?
Mr. Pena.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
What is the name of it?
Mr. Pena.
Habana Bar and Lounge.
Mr. Liebeler.
Am I correct in understanding that you have a brother by the name of Ruperto Penn?
Mr. Pena.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
Does he work with you in the bar and lounge?
Mr. Pena.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
Am I also correct in understanding that one of the bartenders is named Evaristo Rodriguez?
Mr. Pena.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
Do you know Carlos Bringuier?
Mr. Pena.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
Is Mr. Bringuier connected with a clothing store located close to your bar and lounge?
Mr. Pena.
Yes, sir.
Mr. Liebeler.
When did you first meet Mr. Bringuier?
Mr. Pena.
When he came to the if I am not wrong, I believe I met him when he started the store.
Mr. Liebeler.
Approximately how long ago was it that you met Mr. Bringuier?
Mr. Pena.
I don't know exactly. Might be a year and a half or 2 years.
Mr. Liebeler.
Mr. Bringuier is active in anti-Castro Cuban affairs; is that correct?
Mr. Pena.
Yes.
Mr. Liebeler.
Have you ever had any connection with Cuban politics?
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