Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of Loo? (4a Doc 2107 Note). DATE: 11-14-2017 JFK Assassination System Identification Form Date: - §/14/201 AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER : Agency Information FBI . 124-10286-10385 HQ 92-6054-422 ‘ \ € ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: - TITLE: DATE: ‘ PAGES: . SUBJECTS : © - DOCUMENT TYPE: CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW: OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : Document Information FBI . SAC,CV ~ Ly DIRECTOR, FBI 09/07/1963 . i Y LCN, MAFIA, ASSOC, AP, LEADERSHIP, TEAMSTERS UNION, FINANCES, CRIMINAL A/O GAMBLING ACT PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT ; / Unclassified 4 «4 Redact ‘ 06/23/1998 - : INDEFINITE v9.1 . DocId: 324504755 Page 1
eased under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 199? (ir usc 2i0T Hotter” DATE: 11-14-2017 ORM NO. 10 ~ a wd TED“ ‘STATES Gol t.NMENT {° e em orandum - . KA DIRECTOR, FBI . DATE: September 7 2 163. FROM: Hi CLEVELAND (92-748) eee SUBJECT: “Ona COSA NOSTRA TOP ECHELON CRIMINAL INFORMANT PROGRAM RZ On August 26, 1963,. CV-554-PC was contacted. and -_ an advised that he had read the “Saturday Evening Post" article on .La Cosa Nostra, Informant, who has lived around Cleveland, Ohio, all of his life, among the hoodlum element, and who is an’ ex-convict, having done time for burglary and robbery atthe Ohio State Penitentiary, furnished the following information regarding what he termed as "the outfit.’ Informant explained that while others may refer . . to it as La Cosa/Nostra, the Mafia, or the syndicate, he has - always referred to it as "th O efit. . Dt, |) LT v JOHN se rast “Cipelachis ‘attendee from Cleveland) J: ' is definitely a partner in the Desert Inn in Las Vegas and ~ ; @)- Bureau : ee ; > Cincinnati (INFO) - gperoe mo i: fee eres (HR : 1 ilgp aap less yCLNFO) REC- 94 | 1 ~ New "York (INFO) 1 ~ Pittsburgh (INFO) 26 - Cleveland (1 - 92-748) (1 - 137-1130) 1 = 137-1401) (1 - 137-1570) (1 - 92-167). a 1 ~ 92-168) (1 - 92-169) (1 = 92-171 * ‘1 - 92-176) (1 = 92-179) (1 - 92-280 S JL - 92-282) (1 ~ 92-397) (1 - 92-399 ~ 1 - 92-400 1 « 92-477) (1 = 92-500 5 L = 92-501 i - 35-220 , =~ 92-563 ie 1 = 92-565) (1 - 92-65 - 92-8106 °F (1 =~ 92-846) (92-869) él “ 165-876) JJB: JEB/jmo (37) DoclTd: 32304755 Page 2
@lea$ed under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 19979 (44 USC 2107 Hoter> DATE: 11-14-2017 . ** : ° ‘ fe . : L. Pi ee - ere CV 92748; CV 137-1230 | CO | | | probably n only gets money off the top from Vegas but = probably Aas "points" through MORREG“KLEINMAN or one of the : others./_ JAMES LICAVOLI, aka., Jack White, of Cleveland, JOHN-BE MARCO of Cleveland (Apalachin attendee), GEORGE a D<GORDON of Miami, and the late "SCOTTY" GOLTSMAN of Cleveland _/ — all had a plece, one way or another, of the Desert Inn and the Beverly Hills Country Club which formerly operated in Southgate, Kentucky. It is noted that informant and GEORGE _ GORDON have been close over the years. With regard to "the. outfit," informant feels JOHN SCALISH is the "big man" and that he inherited his status from his late brother, TOM SCALISH, who in turn inbéerited his position from "BIG AL" — RPOLTZZL formerly of C¥eveland, and now of Miaml. Informant feels JOHN SCALISH's 1 eutenants in "the outfit" would be . , all of Cleveland.” He named the following ag in his opinion being additional — members of "the outfit"/in Ohio:  . - JO i NARDL of the Teamsters ‘SAM " guEETSXeCLROFICO, who works for a Cleveland bookmaker... juiced ConaDo, , brother-in-law of JOHN SCALISH ~ ‘TONY and saNies i FATCH of Akron, Ohio. , TONY "THE DOPE! Dp ANTER of warren Oe who - answers to JAMES/EL AVOLI, aka., Jat ite = . i ANTHONY "WHITEY'“ESASE of Toledo SOC ae / ANGELO. AMATO, a cement contractor of Cleveland CHARLESGASSARO, formerly of Buffalo and now of 7 Cleveland, and possibly CHARLES<CASSARO, JR. *~ Informant mentioned that he felt that JAMES LICAVOLI, who controls Trumbull County through TONY ELSANTER, and "WHITEY" BESASE of Toledo answer to pEmEAzenvoLt in Detroit. anus se DoclTd: 32304755 Page 3
PReteasca under the Jdohn F. Kennedy Hesassination Records collection Hct o DATE: 11-14-2017 : x . - . a - oe , ‘a * r t ‘ \ a oo, \ ° : Ne = CV 92-748; CV 137-1130 : Informant further revealed that in his opinion, SAM "SWEETS" POLEOFICO has been on the payroll of "the ~ outfit" for years and would be the type of individual used if they wanted somebody "knocked off." He revealed that POLEOFICO "gets respect and has a good standing in the outfit,’ 4n addition to which he is very close to JOHN T, SCALISH. With regard to ANGELO LONARDO, informant advised that while he feels ANGELO is definitely a member of "the. outfit," his two brothers, DOMINIC and FRANK LONARDO, who are engaged in the pail bond business in Cisveland, are not members although it is entirely possibie they have ¥ ene outfit's" money behind them through their brother, ANGELO. . Informant stated that ANGELO, who operates the Frolics Club, | a "girlie joint" on Vincent Avenue in Downtown Cleveland, -has plenty of money and is highly respected by "the outfit." He revealed that ANGELO, FRANK and DOMINIC LONARDO are sons of the late "BIG JOE" LONARDO, old-time Cleveland bootlegger who was murdered in 1927. . oo With regard to LOUIS "BABE" TRISCARO, President | of Teamsters Local 436, Cleveland, Ohio, informant stated that he grew up with TRISCARO, who was nothing but a punk fighter and who is not too bright. He stated that "the . outfit" put "BABE" in his current position with the Teamster and that “the outfit" controls the Teamsters, as well as the Laundry, Dry Cleaning and Dye House Workers International - Union Local #1, Cleveland, Ohio, JOHN/ZITTELLO, JR.; President. Informant stated that JOHN T, SCALISH was able ; en to-plate his son, FRANK SCALISH, in a good job in this Latter an union. —~ ~ a Oo | . Informant stated that "the.outfit" also controls VV the Bartenders Union Local #108, ANDYSKUMP, President, of . which union informant is a member. He stated that they also r - control the Hotel Service Workers and Miscellaneous Restaurant Employees Local 274, Cleveland, Ohio, President JOEXPOLO,  aka., JosepnyPotiafico, Business Manager JACK-LUBIN, who is - . the brother-in-law of the wife of JOHN T,: SCALISH, and who |. - 48 very close to SCALISH, With reference to LUBIN, informant — } . revealed that LUBIN also works'as a pari-mutuel clerk at the Cleveland area race tracks, ana both LUBIN and NICK DI NARDO, , aka., "Nicky D.," do some "shylocking" at the tracks on a "six for five basis." - 3- Docld:32304755 Page 4 - . ~.
FReleaQed under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (a4 U fr) DATE: 11-14-2017 ¥ s . ot yl C ~ . . as , eal CV 92-748; CV 137-1130 Informant stated that "the outfit" also controls the Vending Machine Service Employees Union, Local #410, JOSEPEXEONTANA , President, and JOHN;NARDI, Business_Agent. Informant feels that JOHN NARDI is a member Of “the outfit," - but does not think FONTANA is. He stated that NARDI is — a "the real strength in this union" and commands a tremendous amount of respect among the Ttallan hoodlum element, ~ . With regard to JAMES LICAVORE, ae, Jack. White, informant revealed that WHITE and PE GRAVIO, who until recently operated "Toys," the after-hours liquor spot on “ _ Mayfield Road in "Tattle Italy," used to hate each other but so, f now are on spe ng terms. Informant revealed that DI GRAVIO J 7 and JOHN "CURLY"! A are operating a prosperous "loan . shark" business’ and it is possible that JACK WHITE might have a plece of this. Informant stated that DI GRAVIO and MONTANA also have a plece of the Doan Machinery Company, which isa — legitimate outfit in Cleveland. Informant also mentioned that ROCKY MARCIANO, a former heavy-weight champion of the world, likewise has an interest in this Doan Machinery . _ Company and is a close friend of DI GRAVIO. . Informant stated that he does not feel that DI GRAVIO is a member of "the outfit." He stated that "CURLY" MONTANA, who was extremely close to DI GRAVIO, has plenty of "guts" and would "ALL you in a minute," With further regard to JACK WHITE, informant - mentioned that WHITE plays cards in the evenings in a spot - | near the Roman Gardens Restaurant in "Little Italy" and ' Prequently plays golf in the daytime with an individual | named "CHICKEN" (INU), who drives a cab in Cleveland : Heights. ; stated that other close associates of LICAVOLI ; are PAULLISH, lcd PaulvGivicillo, who is a carpenter by iL trade, and NICK JOHN SRAMEY, aka., "Slush" (Cleveland Riice “ Department #8H685) 5 whom he deserlbed as "WHITE's towel | poy’ When asked if he thought "the outfit" had any control: over the numbers rack in Cleveland, informant stated that while this definitely was true a number of years ago, he does not feel that it is true today. He stated that the only Italian he can think of offhand currently in the numbers -4. DoclTd: 32304755 Page 5
f Released under the John F. _ Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hoter™ DATE: 11-14-3017 ; ¢ ¢ CV 92-748; CV 137-1150 business in Cleveland is TONYPANZARELLA, who is closely ‘” | associated with ALEX SHONDORABIRNS in the numbers business. He added that the numbers business in Cleveland is operated almost exclusively by Negroes, except for the clearing- house layoff which has been handled by BIRNS. He stated that in his opinion the Negroes would not stand still for ; any payoffs to "the outfit" in the Cleveland area since , business has been bad for a number of years and they just could not afford it. He added that another reason, in his. opinion, "the outfit" is not in the numbers business in Cleveland is the fact that they do not need it and they do not Want the headaches it would cause since apparently ' JOHN T, SCALISH, through his interest in the Desert Inn in Las Vegas, gets enough to take care of himself and his associates in Cleveland without resorting to the numbers ' business. With rerard to TONY and JIMMY LA FATCH, who he feels are definitely members of "the outfit" in Akron, Ohio, these individuals used to control the numbers business in the. City of Akron and today probably exert some control over bookmaking in that city. : ' With regard to Trumbull | and Mahoning Counties in Ohio, informant stated that in his opinion this is the territory of JAMES LICAVOLI, aka., Jack White. He stated that in his opinion, WHITE inherited this territory from FRANK CAMMARATA, who was ordered deported several years ago. He stated that it has always been his impresion that WHITE answers to PETE LICAVOLI in Detroit rather than JOHN T, SCALISH in Cleveland. A He added that WHITE is never seen with SCALISH. He stated that WHITE does, however, make occasional trips to. Florida and Hot Springs, Arkansas. . He stated that it was his understanding that WHITE was given the Warren and Youngstown, Ohio, territory by PETE LICAVOLI, and that TONY "DOPE" DELSANTER is WHITE's lieutenant in that territory and is probably a member of “the outfit." . ‘ * . - 5 - DoclTd: 32304755 Page 6 ~
Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records ‘Collection Act of 1997 (44 USC 7i07 Hoter” DATE: 11-14-2017 we ° wy CV 92-748; CV 137-1130 In this regrd, he stated "the outfit's" man in Toledo is ANTHONY "WHITEY" BESASE, who likewise, he feels, answers to PETE LICAVOLI. He;:stated that it has always been | his understanding that "YONNIE" LICAVOLI was the real boss in Detroit, but that PETE. is only acting for "YONNIE" since "YONNIE" is currently in the Onio State Penitentiary serving a life term for murder. Informant revealed that a “number of years ago, MIKE SDEXANGELO, whom he described as "the outfit's man in + Columbus," and JACK WHITE put up the money for a firm in a Cleveland called "I. Lite Furs," which company was run by IRVING LICHTERMAN, aka., Irving Light, who is a nationally knewn fence. In connection with this concern, there was a finance company known as the Domestic Loan Company. He ' stated that neither of these tirms is any longer in © j business. . Informant revealed that GEORGE GORDON, formerly of . Cleveland and who is currently residing in Miami Beach, Florida, and wno spends a good deal of his time in Las Vegas, | Nevada, put money into the E & A Sales Company about ten years ago in Cleveland. He stated that IRVING LICHTERMAN and EDDIE WIGODSKI were associated with this firm, which ostensibly was to be a large appliance discount house, but ' which handled hot merchandise and merchandise out of | bankruptcies. With regard to Lake County, informant stated that "the outfit's" man there is LOUISSQA ARZTERRE. It should be noted that Lake County is the next ounty to Cuyahoga. wherein Cleveland is located, and according to informant there is not. too much activity in this county at the present — time, although ten or fifteen years ago there were a number of active gambling establishments, Le Informant mentioned that approximately ten years. 4 ago, he used to get down to Wheeling and Weirton, West Vo Virginia. He stated that he has always felt that "BIG BILL" XLERS5 wl who 1s. in control of all rackets in the Wheeling aréa, Ws“Ulider the jurisdiction of the LICAVOLTs in Detroit inasmuch . as when the informant was in the Wheeling area ten years ago ,. |. LIAS made weekly. trips to Detroit to report on his activities in Wheeling. -~ 6 = t _ 6 DoclTd: 32304755 Page 7
PReleased under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 Use 2107 Hotter” DATE: 11-14-7017 . . = Cv 92-748; CV 137-1130 Informant stated that he has heard from more than | one source of late that "the outfit" wants nothing to do with either narcotics or prostitution, Informant revealed that a number of years ago. around Cleveland there was considerable difficulty between the Italians and the Jews and a number of murders and beatings resulted in the fight for control of the rackets. He stated that finally MOE DALITZ, who is currently in Las Vegas, was credited with making peace with "the Dagos" and, - in informant 's opinion, this is the way SCALISH got his "piece" of the Desert Inn in Las Vegas. . In this regard, informant stated that he has always felt that FRANK BRANCATO, who he feels is definitely | a } member of "the outfit," gets money regularly from SCALISH, ee & *& ¥ * CV-553-PC was interviewed on August 29, 1963, at Cleveland, Ohio. This was the initial interview with this individual and because of certain circumstances, no effort was made to conduct an exhaustive interview with this informant. This informant was contacted at this time in an effort to obtain information concerning JAMES LICAVOLI, aka.,. : Jack White, subject of an Anti-Racketeering investigaticn of the Cleveland Division. Informant related that he is the owner of a restaurant in Cleveland and he has been losing money regularly in this: restaurant. In May, 1963, he went to the Ohio State Penitentiary . | at Columbus, Ohio, and visited THOMAS "YONNIESEZCAVOLI, who is serving a life term for murder in the State of Ohio. The t purpose of this. visit with "YONNIE" was to try to get approval for borrowing some money in an amount between $5,000 and 10,000. He said he related his problems to "YONNIE" and 'YONNIE" said he would approve the loan and instructed the mn - Docld: 32304755 Page 6
at under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records - Collection Act of 1997 (44 Tse Fi0T hoter DATE: 11-14-2017 : =a ‘ w “Y oa ee : . 22 . . t > @ | : : ES . moe . . oo ™ - a ot < - 4 CV 92-748; CV 137-1130 informant to contact his cousin, JAMES LICAVOLI, in ! Cleveland to obtain $5,000. Informant seid that he subsequently contacted JAMES LICGAVOLI, who told him he would not make the loan to him even though "YONNIE" had given his approval. The informant te returned to Columbus, Ohio, and informed "YONNIE" of the decision of JAMES LICAVOLI, At this point of the interview, the informant displayed a letter written on official prison stationery from "YONNIE" dated May 17, 1963. The a letter was addressed to the informant and in the letter “YONNIE" sid he ws sorry that the money could not be obtained, but that he, “YONNIE,' would make further effort to see that the informant did ‘eet some financial help. Also mentioned in this letter was the fact that "YONNIE" was glad that the informant was able to meet with PETE and ‘N Informant was questioned as to the identity of PETE and LEO, and he said that PETE, referred to in the letter, is PETE LICAVOLI from Detroit, and LEO is LEO MOCERI from the Cleveland-Akron area, Informant said that he met _ these individuals at the time of his visits with "YONNIE" in Columbus at the residence of MIKE DE ANGELO, in Columbus, who is "Mr, Big" in the Columbus area. He said LEO MOCERI had this meeting with PETE in an effort to obtain money to invest in gambling in the Bahamas. PETE claimed not to have the money and told that it was necessary for him to sell his ranch in Arizona, properties in Mexico and in Detroit in order to obtain money to meet his fimncial needs. . | In connection with the attempt to borrow money, referred to above, informant said he also contacted LOUIS "BABE" TRISCARO, President of Local 436, Teamsters Union, - | in Cleveland. He said TRISCARO likewise turned him down, The informant also related that about elght or ten years ago he had contacted "YONNIE" LICAVOLI at the Ohio ' State Penitentiary in Columbus in an effort to borrow some money. He said at that time "YONNIE" told him to returm. . home and he would be contacted. Following this visit, informant said he was contacted by NICK SATULLO and TONY or TOMMY BONTEMPO (both well-known Cleveland racket figures). } 4) ~8- — DoclTd: 32304755 Page 9
rReleased under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hoter™ DATE: 11-14-2017 eM ' . ~ . ne : ‘ . : & > a . r : . ' £ - 7% - C CV 92-748; CV 137-1130 They questioned informant as to his financial means and_ told him they would make a report to "YONNIE." "YONNIE" subsequently told the informant that he had received a report that the informant had money and did not need any more. "YONNIE" said he would not approve the loan in view of this report. — Informant remarked that he had read the recent article in the "Saturday Evening Post" concerming La Cosa Nostra and he said he always referred to the nation-wide organization as the "Commission." He said that years ago in | Cleveland, Ohio, FRANKSMELANO was the head men of the chee "Commission" but that he is sickly now and lives in either Mexico or Los Angeles, He said FRANK MILANO ks a brother, ’ TONY MILANO, who lives in Cleveland, but that TONY has no power and might be considered on the fringe. He said TONY ‘is an old man who still commands a good deal of respect because of his brother FRANK, He said that at the present time, JOHN SCALISH is the top man in the Cleveland area and that JOHN DE MARCO is his lieutenant. He commented that these two attended the Apalachin meeting in 1957, and that the reason there were so many in attendance at the Apalachin meeting was because each "Commission" member brought along bodyguards because they always fear for their lives and wanted somebody along for their own protection. Informant said that the "Commission" ensists of about’20 members and they are located clear across the United States. 1 With regard to JAMES LICAVOLI, aka., Jack White, informant said he first met him in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1922 . When LICAVOLI came to Cleveland as a "killer." He said that ' FRANK MILANO brought LICAVOLI to Cleveland and subsequently was given certain powers in the Youngstown, Warren and _ Cleveland areas. He said LICAVOLI does not come under 4 SCALISH but that SCALISH certainly holds more power than LICAVOLI, He said he also met LICAVOLI while the informant and LICAVOLI were serving terms in the United States Penitentiary at Levenworth many years ago. During the interview, the name AL POLIZZI was. c mentioned and informant said that POLIZZI is now living in . the Miami area and he has severed all relations with \ contacts with racketeers. He said he is extremely active in ~9- Docld: 32304755 Page 107