HW 50529 FBI FILE L.W. - 6/5/78 Joseph Francis Civello . gogags VOLUME I 1. File no. 92-2824-100 — 7/3/63 Dallas p.l -Sources indicate Civello spends most of his time at his residence, 5311 Denton Drive or at the Airway Liquor store on Mockingbird Lane operated by his brother-in-law-.Ross Musso and brother Charles Edwin Civello. File no. 92-2824-101 1/31/64 Dallas cover p. B - "On.1/14/63, Civello was contacted by SAS Ivan D. Lee and John T. McMurfer concerning his possible acquaintance with Jack Ruby, subject in Dallas major case file 44-1639. Civello advised at that time he was not well acquainted with Ruby and knew nothing of his background or his activities in the Dallas area during the recent years." (no info re interview in the rest of the report). File no. 92-2824-104 12/15/64 Dallas p.2 - On Nov. 10, 1964 Civello visited Charles Sansone. Charles Sansone is a detective in the Auto Theft Section of Dallas P.D. and is a cousin of Joseph Civello. Sansone has been assigned to auto theft section due to his being related to Civello and so he won't be in an position to obtain info from P.D. file. File no 92-2824-106 Airtel 3/3/65 p. 3 - Civello was arrested in Dallas on 1-8-37 for violation of Harrison Narcotic Act; sentenced 4-2-37 to 15 years imprisonment in Leavenworth on 1 count and to 5 years on 2nd count. Civello was paroled in 3-26-44. Expiration date of parole 4-1-57. Sentence commuted 11-6-48; arrested 5-21-59 by FBN - conspiracy to obstruct justice. Convicted on 11-18-59 and on 1-13- 60; received 5 year sentence. On 11-28-60 conviction . reversed. a “st DoclIda: 322568460 Page 2?
HW 50529 Notes: Joseph Francis Civello File no. 92-2824-107 4/9/65 Dallas p. P - local informants advised that included among Civello's close associates in Dallas area are John Brazil Grissaffi, aka Johnny the Dago, -Luke A. Cortemeglia, Frank LaMonte, and Louis Mentesano. DOB 2/3/02 92-2824-125 11/30/66: Dallas p.- 4 On October 14, 1966, DLT-6 positively identified a photograph of John Ross Patrono, aka Johnny Ross, Dallas police dept. No. 27256, ‘as being identical to the individual from Texas he had met several years ago who had been intro- duced as a "member" of the La Cosa Nostra. Patrono has been an associate of Civello for many years as was his father. Ralph Patrono prior to his death. ~~ 92-2824-127 3/28/67 Dallas p. 2 It was noted that from January 27, 1967, to January 31, 1967; Santo Trafficante, Jr., Commission member of the LCN, from Tampa, Florida, stayed at the Fontainbleau Motor Hotel under the name S. Mancuso. 92-2824-132 9/21/67 Dallas Cover p. "D" On 8/18/67 advised that Civello is definitely the leader of the "Dallas" group and among his associates in this group are: Charles Civello, Ross Musso, Joe Ianni, Johnny Ross Patrono, Joe and Sam Campisi, Phillip Bosco, Sam Lomonaco, Frank Lobianco, Peter Interrante. p. 14 Interview of Luke Anthony Cortemeglia 8/25/67. States that Joe and Sam Campisi are, to his knowledge, not running a game of any kind. John Ross Patroné is not doing anything "other than living off his mother." Stated Patrono still owes him $1500 borrowed in 1959 when Patrono was down and out. p. 15 Joge Civello is recognized in Dallas as the leader of a group of Italians in Dallas. DOD - 1/17/70 DoclId: 3227568460 Page 3
_Notes: Joseph Francis Civello 3 VOLUME 2 73 Report - 9/21/56 Dallas "Application for Pardon after Completion. of Sentence." p. 3 Character affidavits - one from Bill Decker. p. 4 In 1948 - Civello and Ross Musso repurchased the Love Field Grocery and kept it until around 1952. Then organized Civello's Imports, 4236-38 Oak Lawn Ave. DOB 2-3-1902 or 3 POB Baton Rouge Parish, La. Port Allen SSN 452-410-1454 FBI #1222605 Deleted: A. Bureau of Narcotics, Chief Intelligence Division (DIR: I: DAL-JMC: ra?) /a/le/s7? B3pp. Bufile Fa-as B. Bureau of Narcotics, DIR: I: DAL-KES: ? 12/12/57 3 pages BuFile 92-2824-19 C. BN, DIR: I: DAL: LJP: ec 12/10/57 3 pages D. 12/16/57 1 page ay-19 Airte? 2/21/58 File no. 92-2824-36? Dallas p. James Robert Todd - Informant advised on 2/19/58 Phat Todd was associated with Robert Payne, a lawyer in the Fidelity Union Building, Dallas and two other individuals by the name of Frank Case and George Owens. 'He had reliable info that these four were traveling by plane from the Red Bird Airport to Midland, Texas on weekends. p. 2 He had also heard they had made trips into Mexico. Todd "hung out" at Payne's office considerably. | Payne--active in criminal law practice representing prostitutes and police characters in Dallas. Deleted "Info from U.S. Attorney's office" 3/6/58 2 pp. BuFile 92-7874-31. VOLUME 3 1. 92-2824-54 6/23/59 Dallas -p. 2 .- informant. advised the original head of the Mafia in Texas was Carlo T. Piranio = (DOB 5-8-1876) DoclId: 322758460 Page 4
HW 50529 Notes: Joseph Francis Civello . — 4 and that Carlo held. that position until his death in 1930. At that time his brother, Joseph T. Piranio became the leader; committed suicide in 1956 and Joseph Civello became the head man. On May 21, 1959, Civello was arrested by FBN charged with conspiracy to commit per jury. p. 7 On May 28, 1959, Civello was given -a removal hearing at which time Civello's attorney, Lester May, said he would fight removal. ; VOLUME 4. 1. Civello is in Ruby File at serial 966, p. 16. 2. Deletion Dept. of Justice memo from Mellon) R. Wessell, ' Special Assistant to the Atty. General. Subj: Italian Food Companies. Dated 10/21/58 12 pp. Subject) Civello on enclosure at p. 10 BuFile #60-5160-30. 3. File no 62-9-573 Memo 1/26/61 To Mr. Parsons from A. Rosen. "Nine-man Commission: Organized] Crime and Racketeering." Source identified members of commission as Thomas Luchese, Joseph Profaci, Vito Genovese, Carlo Gambino, Joesph Bonanno and "the one in Chicago." Bosses identified: Santo .Trafficante and Joseph Civello. Civello is said to report to Michelino Clemente. 4.. File no 62-9-12-481. 3/27/64 "Crime conditions in the Dallas Division" p. 5 on 1-3-64 in the early morning, an explosion demolished a night’ club operated by Johnny Ross Patrono. Patrono was deeply! in debt to several Italian associates in Dallas. p. 43 - "Graft and Corruption" - In October! 1963, Dallas Police Dept. Vice Squad detective Bill J. Gee was demoted in rank to that of patrolman and suspended for 30 days for secretly. having business ties with two Dallas lounges.. Gee was also a known close associate of Dallas gambler Bobby Joe Chapman. Also; according to informant, there is a close association between Dallas private detective and’. of the Special Services Bureau, Dallas P.D. Whenever Denson: needs info re a person, . he will give the name to who has ‘information developed by officers assigned to the SSB without their knowledge of the purpose. DoclId: 3227568460 Page 5
Notes: Joseph Francis Civello 5 5. 62-9-12-516 9/15/64 "Crime conditions in Dallas Division" p. 56 - The officers of the Tarrant County Crime Commission are elected in January of each year. The group had irregular meetings and is not la very. active organization. Edwin T. Phitiips is jlisted as general counsel. p. 56 - Starts to discuss a newspaper artiicle in the "Dallas Morning News" containing a quotiation of LHO's diaty." Subsequent investigation by jthe Dallas FBI office to ascertain the source of _ p. 57 not there. 6. Justice Department Memo Milton R. Wessel | Special Assistant to Attorney General Subj: Task Force Subjects 8/11/58 3 page Bureau File no 62-28280-340 (enc) Delete’ org) 7. Deleted Justice Dept. Lloyd F. Dunn. Special Assistant to Attorney General 2/9/59 .1 page. File no. 62-28280-444. 8. FBI Memo 92-4213-9 7/1/66 - Dallas "Rosario Musso" p.2 During the 1920's, a "group" of Italians was organized in Dallas. The "boss" was Carlo |Piranio and the no. 1 man under Carlo was Joseph Piranio who took over when Carlo died in about 1930. Members of this group included Joseph Civello, Ross Musso, Frank Janni, Ralph. Patrono, Joe Civello's father (Philgip), Carlos Campisi, Pete Duca, and Ross Interante. All of the rackets in Dallas were at that time controlled by non- Italians. Civello identified one connection to East as Rocco Pellegrino. In late 1930's Civello imprisioned. Civello told informant that gambling’ and prostitution were extremely lucrative rackets in Dallas ‘during the 1940's, but were entirely under the control’ of non- Italian hoodlums. The Italian group at that time was not strong enough, nor big enough, to take over Dallas, "and Civello had noted that even an organization from Chicago was unsuccessful when it tried to move in, and take over Dallas. Beginning in early 1950's, all organized criminal activity in Dallas came to an end. Many of the. Italians in the.1940's invested in real estate, Liquor stores, and restaurants. Civello remarked that during the 1950's p.3 practically all of the original group died. (Joseph Piranio committed sucide in 1956. Pete Duca died in 1949. Frank Ianni died in 1958, Philip Civello died in HW 50529 Docld:32258460 Page 6
HW 50529 Notes: Joseph Francis Civello . . 6 10. ' VOLUME 5 1. DoclId: 3227568460 Page fF 1959. Ralph Patrono died in 1955, Ross Interrante died in 1953. Carlos Campisi died in 1964.| Civello became the boss after Joseph Piranio died. | Civello is highly respected by most of the Italians|in Dallas and especially the sons.of their dead associates, such as Johnny Ross Patrono, Joe Ianni, Joel Campisi, and Pete Interrante. Civello has requested: | to slowly, but surely, get rid of all non-Italians from the bookmaking operation. Civello told jhe could not use Ianni because of his bad heart, andj could not use Joe Campisi because of his "big mouth.” John Ross Patrono 11/8/61 File no. 92-56938-1 Dallas p. 2 Patrono is reportedly well acquainted with Peter Pellegrino from White Plains, N.Y. Patrono/'s association with Pellegrino reportedly developed through his association with Joe Ianni. Patrono was previously part owner of the Johnny Ross Liquor Store at 4910 Capital, Dallas, but sold out his interest to his cousin - Frank Edward Lobianco. 1951 - employed in a liquor store at 2604 Ross Ave. July 14, 1953 - employed at Johnny Ross Liquors. March, 1961 ~ employed at Patrono Meat Col. DOB 1-25-25 POB: Dallas FBI # 3242960 File no. 92-5693-13 "John Ross Patrono". 11/7/66 Dallas Patrom formerly was owner of the Sportsman! s Club in Dallas which was destroyed by an explosion of 1/3/64. Rumors that it was blown up to get insurance. Edward Wilson Fletcher ("Big Bob") FBI #1042358 - William Ernest Fletcher, "Little Bob" - FBI| #265576? FBI interview of Samuel Mannarino - 6/23/59) report Interviewed on 3-14-5 Mannarino indicated he had been in Cuba |(Camaguey) "three: weeks ago." Stated he learned about pineapple business and was thinking of investing. Mannarino stated he had been in Chicago recently. He] explained that for the past several months he has been locating slot machines in the "tri-state area" for Norman Rothman. Stated a large share of slot machine profit goes into a so-called widows pension fund operated by
Anon. letter ro FBN HW 50529 Notes:. Joseph Francis Civello 7 Mrs. Bastista. Stated Castro has no intention of changing anything and only wants to get in for the power. VOLUME 6 1. Interview of Joseph Civello 1-2-58 Report| dated 6-6-59. File no. 92-4225-14. Civello stated that prior to 11-14-57, he and his cousin Frank Desimone, who lives in Los.Angeles, -went to New York. Purpose: business connected with. food and liquor business in Dallas. Desimone asked Civello to go with him to Appalachin. Did not know) purpose of the meeting. "Civello admitted being a long-time acquaintance and friend of Carlos Marcello of New Orleans." 2. Deleted Bureau of Narcotics Teletype 6/4/59 1 page File no 92-4225-25 3. Deleted Bureau of Narcotics Report 6/10/59 2 pages File no. 92-4225-25 — . 4. Deleted Bureau of Narcots Reports... Dates Pages 5/28/59 7 No Date 5/21/59 5/21/59 5/21/59 5/21/59 5/21/59 , 5/21/59 1 5/22/59 5/25/59 5/25/59 5/25/59 5/25/59 5/26/59 5/26/59 5/21/59 5/22/59 DEW BHENNNUNRFPEPEPNEEH VOLUME 7. DoclId: 3227568460 Page &
HW 50529 + Notes: Joseph Francis Civello VOLUME 8 .~ 1, Deleted - Memo to Director, FBI, From: Mal Wilkey, Asst. A.G., Criminal Division Dated lp. File no 92-4225-69 VOLUME 9 1. Deleted Asst. A.G. Memo 10/14/59 1p. File no. 92-4225-102 2. Memo to Asst. A.G. from Dir. FBI Oct. 19, states that the FBI Laboratory had examined colm R. 8-26-59 1959. the tape recording of interview.between Chief Hansson of Dallas P.D. and Joseph C@vella. fTranscr or tape not in file. VOLUME 10 1. Deleted Asst. Attorney General Memo 10/28/ l page File No. 92-4225-147. 2. Deleted Asst. Attorney General Memo 10/20/ 1 page File No. 92-4225-148. 3. Deleted Asst. Attorney General Memo 10/20/ 5 pages File No. 92~-4225-149. 4. Deleted Atty. General's Special Group 10/6/ 3 pages File No. 92-4225-154. VOLUME 11 iption 59 59 59 59 Docld: 32258460 Page 3