Cuba Tells Nixon Nephew He Has Permission To Leave

The nephew of the late President Richard Nixon said Saturday that Cuba has given him permission to leave after questioning him about ties to fugitive financier Robert L. Vesco.

Interviewed by telephone from his Havana hotel, Donald Nixon Jr. said he planned to leave Cuba for Miami on Sunday.

“The officials here told me that they had no charges against me and had no reason for me to stay here any further,” Nixon said. “I have a lot of catching up to do with my wife and want to be with my children.”

Cuban officials seized Nixon’s passport and prevented him from leaving the island while he was being questioned about possible money laundering, drug smuggling and ties to Vesco.

Nixon, a businessman originally from Tustin, Calif., said he was at the Vesco’s home in Havana when authorities picked up the fugitive financier. Vesco has been wanted by U.S. authorities since 1971 on charges he stole $224 million from investors.

“If I was involved in anything, they wouldn’t let me go,” Nixon said. “I have a pure heart.”

Nixon said U.S. State Department officials have told him he is wanted for questioning by the FBI.

Nixon said he has known Vesco for 25 years but has not heard from him since Vesco was detained May 31.