FD-36,.(Rev. 5*22-64) ; YN . CP | . é ad | ; QW FBI . Date: 3/30/65 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) ATRTEL AIRMAIL © | Via : (Priority) Fe TO : -DIRECTOR, FBI oc 1 ie t oo y FR € SAC, SAN FRANCISCO (92-593) SHBJECT:*“LA COSA NOSTRA IN VIEW OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THIS INFORMANT, EXTREME ae CAUTION SHOULD BE UTILIZED IN ORDER THAT SOU CE WILL NOT B COMPRO ISED. ~\ On 3 3/28/65, ALEX CAMARATA, member of the San Jose N ; family of LA COSA NOSTRA, informed SF 2550-C-TE that he received | / a message from his father-in- law, JOHN MISURACA, that a meeting \ i of certain members of LA COSA NOSTRA would take place in Detroit, a Michigan, in May, 1965. The purpose of ‘this meeting is to % xecommend a definite course of action relative to the HAROLD x _siiiiematter and also possibly to consider outlining @& x ptar vy "POT TR COSA NOSTRA activipies in the California area. o™~ In 1964, onndersupaca was identified as a Caporegima { of the COLUMBO family,/ LA COSA NOSTRA, New York. ~ a For the benefit of offices having no prior information : regarding the above mentioned HAROLD SMITH matter, summarized + is background and recent pertinent developments reported by soa : SF 2550-C-TE. a a5 i>) “i 5 - Bureau é 4) = ie 3 =, 92-605 (RM) : a 2- ' 137-7765) fe : Q. 2 ~ Boston (92-605) Ris LD g “3 2 ~ Buffalo $25 7330) (R e o | | 2 = Chicago (92-1123 RM oo ae "| Bvice / ” REC-10 F 4-605" 05-9 = -j 2 +) ceMINAT N CONTYNUED ON | | PAGE 2) i ff gs APR 1 1085 } " Moy MN id serene emma, , “Approv dd ht S46 Sent COM Per A ad ae f Dp si  Shesigh Agent in Charge . ; an | . ee ee Docld: 325766253 Page 1
SF 92-593 RV:cg In the late 40s or early 50s there was a family fight occuring in the HAROLD SMITH family of the Harold's Club, Reno, Nevadg% Information developed since that time , Indicates HARQLDASMLET EH gavSR . 5 wanted his stepmotner killed a and alleged yaffranged Ww: with a member ofthe. San Jose family" of LA COSA NOSTRA to have this done. Subsequentiy, the SMITH family trouble was settled and the contract was cancelled, However, LA COSA NOSTRA feels thatSince the contract was. agreed upon, SMITH still owed the money which. has been stated currently as $100,000. Since the mid 50s a number of unsuccessful attempts have been made to collect chis amount from HAROLD SMITH, §R.., and the situation has been the subject of discussion by the San Jose group on a number of occasions but to date, no deffnite plan of action has been selected by LA COSA NOSTRA. : On 3/8/65, at about 10:00 p.m., BF 2550-C-TE received u a telephone call from ALEX CAMARATA who but a few minutes earlier - 3 = Detroit (RM) tS - 92-914) 1 = 137-3668) 2 - Las Vegas (RM tt a 967063), 1 + 137-23 Los Angeles (92-1112) (RM) Miami (92-853) (RM) Milwaukee (92-262) (RM) Newark , te - 3871593} (RM) oa 1 = 92-1213 New York (RM) - 92-23 Dm Philadelphia , (38 1027) (RM) 2. Tampa ~~ (RM) {2 ~ 93-246) - (1 = 92-218 6 - San: Francisco Ll = 92- 22 - 92-48 92-603 92=508 . : 92-406 137-2571) wnrnn pine an i be pa 1 | Docld: 325766253 Page 2?
> oN O ( SF 92-593 RV: cg was in contact with JOHN MISURACA (who called long distance from New Jersey). MISURACAtold ALEX that he interded to call SF 2550-C-TE direct, but jaisplaced his telephone number. Purpose of JOHN's call Wass; g obtain from informant the home . telephone number of JOSEPHXCERRITOQ. According to ALEX, A MISURACA attempted t6 coytact™ CERRITO at his automobile agenty after the regular workifig hours, but was advised that CERRITO was gone for the day. The person MISURACA talked with de- clined to furnish CERRITO's home phone number. j Informant furnished ALEX with CERRITO's home phone number and ALEX indicated he would relay this information to MISURACA immediately. ALEX then remarked in Sicilian that "the shepherd went to the mountains against JOHN's orders”, which was interpreted by informant to mean that CERRITO had gone to Reno, Nevada in connection with the HAROLD SMITH caper against JOHN MISURACA's wishes. ALEX then instructed informant ‘that he was to contact CERRITO at his home within the week, adding that informant should not be surprised if he were to have a "visitor" at his home at any moment. ALEX would not give informant any further details or clarify his statement on the telephone. Informant, as of this date, has not: re~ ceived any guests or visitors at his home. 4 SF 2550-C-TE said he dropped in at the CERRITO home on Sunday, 3/14/65, but was advised by CERRITO's married daughter that CERRITO was called away on business. She sug- gested that informant confirm any future meeting with her father by telephone. Informant telephonically contacted CERRITO on the night of 3/16/65, who instructed him to meet him at the Los Gatos Lodge within one half hour. At the ‘ appointed time, informant met CERRITO at the lodge and CERRITO apologized for not meeting at his home, his excuse being that earlier in the day he had made arrangements to receive a long distance call at the Los Gatos Lodge (which he apparently had handled prior to informant's arrival at the lodge}. Informant then opened conversation advising CERRITO that he had been instructed by CAMARATA to contact CERRITO, but informant made no mention of the fact that he was aware of CERRITO's travel to Reno; however, he did mention that he furnished CERRITO's phone number to JOHN MISURACA, CERRITO brushed off any further comment in connection with any contact he had or may have had with MISURACA saying, "It was all right - Docld: 325766253 Page 3
oO (> SF 92-593 RV:ceg it was nothing of any importance." CERRITO then inquired as to inormant's employment. Informant indicated to CERRITO that he was doing very well with his job and that financially was ‘better off than he has been in a longtime, CERRITO praised informant's attitude and asked ify informant had given any thought to "bettering himself", adding that, if he, CERRITO, were offered a Cadillac franchise, he would without hesitation drop his Lincoln-Mercury dealership since it would be an oppor-~ tunity to make more money. He then indicated to informant that he wanted informant "to make one more try up in Reno”; that he wanted informant to-obtain a job in that city. Informant: ady vised CERRITO that it would be most difficult’to give up 168 present job and further, he knewm one in Reno except GUY LENT. . AR CERRITO said that he would not have to be concerned wfthL NT ye@yael anymore because "he's dead anyway." CERRITO told informant — he had a contact in Reno who could help informant locate the right job, although the identity ofthis person was not dis- .closed by CERRITO, CERRITO then asked, "What do you think of taking the boys for a ride?" (meaning, taking ALEX CAMARATA and PETE MISURACA to Reno with him). Informant told CERRITO that if he had any choice in the matter and if it was only to travel on a routine trip, hewould rather not take PETE along but "if it's business concerning Our Thing, I'll take him along. : On 3/21/65, informant was advised by JOE CERRITO that he was postponing the meeting planned for this night to 3/23/65. He instructed informant to be at the Los Gatos Lodge, San Jose, California, at 8:30 p.m. and that he was to bring ALEX with him. Informant immediately contacted ALEX advising him of the change in plans and ALEX indicated that he would be present. During the afternoon of 3/23/65, Mrs. ALEX CAMARATA telephonically informed informant's wife that her husband would be unable to attend the meeting at Los Gatos Lodge as they were expecting a relative from Detroit, _ Upon receipt of the above message, informant contacted ALEX at fis home who stated he “wanted no part of it" and flatly - refused to attend the meeting. Docld: 32576623 Page 4
o\ SF 92-593 RV: cg Informant did not press ALEX for his reasons as ALEX will not engage in. discussions over the phone which concerns organization business, Informant was of the opinion that ALEX was aware of what was to be discussed at the meeting although informant, himself, had no inkling of what was to transpire. CAE I: instructions, informant met CERRITO at the Los Gatos ide 1 the “ni night of 3/23/65. CERRITO was + accompanied by DOMINIC peel LONE. Informant made an excuse for at his home and also, that ALEX indicated he was not interested in whatever it was that was to be, discussed, According to informant,: DOMINICK dominated the entire meeting in that he did most of the talking. He inquired as to whether or not informant was satisfied with his job and the salary he was receiving. He talked as though he was leading up to a job offer. His conversation, according to informant was such that it was either "double talk" or that DOMINICK believed that informant had complete knowledge concerning the matter under discussion. In apparent reference to the HAROLD SMITH matter at Reno, Nevada, and informant's 3/16/65 discussion with CERRITO (above), ANZALONE told informant that it was up to him {tefoxmant) and him alone to make a decision; that "up there (Reno) you don't know who you're dealing with and you have to be careful." Informant told ANZALONE that he didn't know. who he was supposed to contact in Reno, to which CERRITO replied,» "DAVIS" - "you know, it's just a name like (HAROLD) SMITH or anybody else." ANZALONE then added, "something had to be done (in Reno) and you (informant) will have to decide if you're the man to handle the assignment". CERRITO inserted, "They know you're not a gambler. You've already told SMITH who you are.’ With reference to CERRITO's last statement, informant believes CERRITO was indicating that informant's mere presence in sight of HAROLD SMITH would serve as pressure and a reminder that the organization was serious in getting monies owed by SMITH, ‘On 3/29/65, informant advised that on 3/28/65, ALEX CAMARATA informed SF 2550-C-TE that his visitor of 3/23/65 was widow of SAM MISURACA. SAM, deceased brother of JOHN MISURACA, was killed in gangland fashion in the Detroit area in 1919, _—— Docld: 32576623 Page 5
RV: cg C) . ~~ ALEX did not volunteer SAM's widow's name although he did mention that a few years following SAM's death, she married a close friend of SAM's at the time of his murder. The main purpose of her visit was to deliver a message from ALEX's father-in-law, JOHN MISURACA. She advised ALEX that her son (or possibly grandson) is to be ordained to the Priesthood next May in Detroit, Michigan, and that this occasion would afford an excellent time for meeting of certain organization members in that it would attract little or no’ attention of the authorities. ALEX indicated that JOE CERRITO, Don of the San Jose, California Family of LA COSA NOSTRA, would be invited in addition to many other'friends" including members. _ of high statue within the organization. SF 2550-C-TE then informed ALEX as to his meeting with JOE CERRITO and DOMINICK ANZALONE on 3/23 last, and that . he wasn't at all-certain as to exactly what CERRITO and ANZALONE had in mind with regard to the Reno situation. \ ALEX then explained that CERRITO was recently in contact with JOHN MISURACA at which time the HAROLD SMITH matter was discussed. Upon termination of their discussion it was agreed between the two men that should further discussion be necessary it could, be handled by long distance phone calls ‘to pre-arranged locations. With regard to CERRITO's and ANZALONE's proposal that informant might take it upon himself to go to Reno, ALEX suggested that informant "tell CERRITO and ANZALONE to shove it", adding : “that informant should avait the outcome of the Detmit meeting cee ant planned for next May at which time a definite course of action would be recommended. ; ALEX was of the opinion that since CERRITOlms lost much prestige on the HAROLD SMITH matter, he is naturally desirous of showing that progress is being made at Reno, especially in view of the fact that this would be one of the main topics of discussion at the Detroit meeting. ALEX pointed out that CERRITO and ANZALONE would not order informant to resolve the Reno issue but were attempting to get him to volunteer for this mission; their reason being that if informant failed they would not lose face and therefore be further embarrassed, but Docld: 325766253 Page 6
SF 92-593 RV: cg if he were to be successful, they could claim all credit and regain their lost prestige. ALEX added that JOHN MISURACA is attempting "to get something going out here (California)" in addition to resolving the HAROLD SMITH matter but that JOE CERRITO wants no part of it. ALEX said, "JOE has the car business (Lincoln-~ Mercury dealership) and doesn't want to do anything against the law". "How would he feel if he didn't have any cars-~- if they took it away?" "What they give they can take back. JOE's satisfied but people in the East aren't. Like JOHN said at Roswell, (New Mexico) they don't know what they're doing out here, . ~ ALEX hinted that both he and the informant may be invited to the Detroit meeting. LEADS: DETROIT AT DETROIT-MICHIGAN: Will review your file entitled "SF 2745-PC, TECIP™. Detroit file Number 137-3668 wherein Detroit has conducted research in connection with the murder of SAM MISURACA in 1919. Will through review ofappropriate marriage records and/or other sources identify widow of SAM MISURACA under her present address. Will in a discreet manner verify her trip to California, described above. Will identify her son (in all probability, grandson) who is to be ordained in Detroit as this person may or may not be using the last name of MISURACA. Will through records of the Arch Diocese covering Detroit, determine exact date of his ordination, Will formulate plans to afford proper coverage in the event the meeting described above does take place, , Docld: 32576623 Page ?F
i = a = oo —-- _ . oo O oO SF 92-593 RV:cg/jl NEWARK T NEWARK, NEW JERSEY: Will immediately attempt A to develop information through logical sources that may assist Detroit in identifying MISURACA's sister-in-law and also his relationship to the person who is to be ordained in May and furnish same to the Detroit Division for their assistance in coverage of leads. ALL OTHER OFFICES: Copies are being furnished in the event that these offices possibly have members in attendance at the proposed should be alert for any and all information relative to the matter set out in the body of this communication. Dissemination to the above offices is not all-inclusive, and the Bureau may desire to consider further dissemination to any other appropriate offices. San Francisco Division is maitaining close contact with SF 2550-C-TE in connection with the meeting in Detroit. / Detroit meeting, and offices receiving copies of this communicatio: Docld: 32576623 Page &