Maheu, Robert, 1917-2008

Robert Maheu (1917-2008), former FBI agent and CIA fixer, worked as the chief executive of Nevada operations for businesss magnate Howard Hughes. Maheu was born in Waterville, Maine in 1918. After getting degrees from Georgetown University and Holy Cross, he worked for the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a counter-intelligence in Europe during World War II. Following his work with the FBI, Maheu became a self-employed investigator and consultant. This eventually led him to start Robert A. Maheu and Associates, an investigative agency, in 1954. He also worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) at this time. Maheu's work for the Central Intelligence Agency included investigating plots into Fidel Castro's assassination and communicating with organized crime representatives.

From purchasing Las Vegas hotels and casinos to investigating business rivals, Maheu was a major help for the Hughes business empire. Howard Hughes first hired Maheu for an investigation in 1954 to stop a blackmail attempt against him. From there, Maheu became a close acquiantance to Hughes. Maheu negotiated, made purchases, and met with people in place of Howard Hughes for 15 years. Despite working together for this long, Maheu and Hughes never met in person, all work and discussions were made through memo and telephone.