AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER : ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: TITLE: DATE : PAGES: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : v9.1 Docld:32327764 Page 1 JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-90066-10005 HQ CR 62-9-34-241 Document Information FBI NY HQ 09/23/1958 19 SALVATORE GRANELLO TOP HOODLUM PROGRAM PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 06/24/1998 INDEFINITE MEMO Date: 5/21/201
ap sea . a Oy ee *. } - ‘ . «a . - ate VF tec mee ° od an . et we 2 - %, OFFICE MEMORANDUM. . UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT | yg re oe ea | mo. 4 DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: 9/29/58 , | “FROM ‘ote “NEW_YOR! YORK (92- -632) | Oo 7 4 “sunmmensC40P 1 HOODLUM PROGRAM bey ‘AR ee 4 sete ec on 9/10/58, an anonymous caller contacted ) bhee -NYO- and advised that he had information of value “to ‘furnish to the FBE and wished to be interviewed ; by an Agent in the lobby of the Belmont Plaza Hotel, “ Noth street and Lexington Avenue, NYC. The caller , declined to-furnish information as to either his identity or the nature of the information he wished to divulge. > \ ee i Le ; ee on 9/10/58, SA RICHARD F, “KEEFE contacted gee OZ ' | I dé this individual at the Be lniont Plaza Hotel. ise the — 4 _ Ladividual- ddentified himself as being. SEYMO URYPOLLACK, i [ . 362 washington . street.;..Hempstead, Long Selsey 9 e navisea— che was publisher 01 Of the trade publication, steheiite . . 4 --publishing company» jucorporated, 119 west ‘columbia. , a me Street, Hempstead, Long Island. It developed that _ Mts. POLLACK: ‘and also contacted Mr. DANIEL MC MAHON, Chief ms, Ve criminal pivision of the us Attorney's’ office, Fee cand: had arranged for Mr. MC MAHON to also be. } ACY resent during the interview. at the Belmont plaza Hotel. — i Ye. Erne. ‘following is the information furnished by mr. POLLACKs \ rf -eoncerning. which, POLLACK'S identity must be protected, . ; e and: ‘no..dissemination should be made available outside. oe, \ oo othe: Bureaus, + > f, Abe 0A, . ns a woe De fice L ¢ Giver, . { - Bureau’ Rew 4 a ~hp f aa COPIES MADE, me ‘ = yiamd (info) yo . a | tlle oar ee ys Newark “Al .2@-- New.Haven * oO, ; Crate + - Now ork , ae BO "REQUEST, Uy 2 1 2. = New. york. I.- New. york ¢ i 1 L 1 hs . > New yYork-( | = New york ~ New york ¢ 1 -~, New. york (92- fs | New y York (92 ' Docld: 323277764 Page 2?
NY 92-632 POLLACK resided in Monticello, NY, throughout his childhood and adult life until about 195i when he moved to Hempstead, Long Island, At. this time he became publisher of the Statewide Publishing Company ; Inc,,; which was engaged in organizing and printing an annual building trades magazine In July, 1957, POLLACK was experiencing some minor financial difficulty in this business venture and at this time was approached »y one JOE! INA and was asked by GENNA to meet two individuals in the bar at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, NYC, for the purpose of discussing a business transaction, He advised that he met these individuals who introduced themselves as being SALLY BURNS and GEORGE LEVINE. He had never met these individuals before and at the time of the meeting had no indication as to their background or business enterprises. It is noted Kayes te the main. alias used by SALVATO RANELLOZ-welT~lmowh(to the NYO and to the Bureau in cobnection with the CARMINE DE BIASE,‘Top Ten Fugitive case, Jt is.known that sae is closely ; associated with GRANELLO in mutual “saniifing jinterests in Havana, Cuba. ALY: Culbe 2 BURNS and LEVINE requested POLLACK to cooperate with ‘them in setting up a Ready-Mix Cement business in Havana, Cuba, Their suggestion was that POLLACK "front" the enterprise, which they indicated would necessarily be successful dve to political connections | which these individuals had in Havana, POLLACK stated this venture did not ultimately materialize due to diffieulties which arose in obtaining a second hand ready-mix plant from the United States; However, ‘during the time plans were being made for setting up this business, POLLACK made three trips to Cuba between JULY» 1957 and November 1, 1957. POLLACK advised. that he made each trip with GENNA, and that on each occasion they conferred -2- , Docld: 32327764 Page 3
NY 92-632 with GEORGE LEVINE, who at that time resided at the Hotel Rosita de Horanodo in Havana. On the first trip LEVINE took them to a proposed plant site and assured them that they would have no. difficulty obtaining an option.on this land or any probiems during the setting up stages of the plant duc to his excellent connections in the Cuban Government, on wet POLLACK believed to be the second trip, LEVINE, GENNA and POLLACK arranged for corporation papers to. be drawn up in order-that the business could pe inetituted when they were able to obtain the necessary equipment in the United States. LEVINE assured them that he and SALLY BURNS would guarantee contracts from the Cuban Government which would insure a profitable operations They exnoected 50% of the proceeds of the operation for the use of their influence in establishing this business. However, as mentioned above, the business hover got Inve © operation due to GENNA'S difficuity in obtaining tne correct equipment stemming from a financial problem on GENNA!s part. os ‘While if Havana, on these three trips, POLLACK accompanied LEVINE to various gambling casinos. in Havana and to the Oriente Race Track near Havana, — which LEVINE told POLLACK he and BURNS ‘owned, POLLACK remarked’ that the horse races at the track did not seem to be set up with the idea of a large profit being made on the racing‘ end of the business, inasmuch as_ most of the races involved only a $50 or $100 purses Instead, LEVINE indicated that they made their money from two gambling casinos, which they operated at. the track site, During his visits to various Havana casinos, POLLACK advised that he met a large number of individuals who appeared to be connected with these casinos, whom LEVINE appeared to know very well, -3- | Docld: 32327764 Page 4
NY 92-632 POLLACK explained thet while the club; was in operetion, BURNS gave the indication that the $13,000 he contributel was ds an investment in this venture, However, when the club went into bankruprey s BURNS then informed POLLACK that hé was responsitl for the $13,000 as & personal loan from BURNS £0 FOLLACK, end thereafter, once again began demands on’ POLIACK not only for tae principal $13,000, but for exhorkitant interest on this "loan," whicn to date amounts to a total of approximately $16,000, according to POLLACK, Though SOURNS took no active part in managing this club, POLEL:CK remarked that he wes often there during the evening hours as were some of his underlings, specifically, the individuals referred to previously as BABE, CHICK, and BUDDY. POLLAUK also noted that a part of the $13, 000 contributed by BURNS was raised in tne following manner: Ata particular time when POLLACK was having difficulty meet ting the payroll, BURNS instructed him to accompany JOE QUAGLIARELLO to New Jersey, wher? they were to pick up $2, 500 from the RAY previously. mentionec as having been in the office of VITO GENOVESE on Thompson -. Street. POLLACK accompanied QUAGLIARELLO to New Jersey, to a roadside club where they met RAY who turned over the $2,509 to QUAGLIARELLO. From POLLACK's description of his trip to New Jersey, and the layout of this roadside club, together with his description of RAY, a group of nhotographs including that-of ANGELO DE CARLO, Newark ' top hoodlum, was exhibited to POLLACK. POLLACK identified the photograph of DE CARLO as the RAY who furnished the | $2,500 and as the individual from New Jersey he had previously observed in the office of GENOVESE in New York City. POLL ACK stated that this was his only contact with DE CARLO. ‘the roadside club where this money was o tained appears to be the Martinique restaurant, operated by . DE CARLO in Mountainside, New Jersey. -10°- Docld: 32327764 Page 11
NY 92-632 « POIFAGK advised that foilowing the closing of the Cafe de paris, his only contacts with BURNS and his element have been at times when BURNS has demanded payment plus interest on the $13,000 he put into this club. During the discussion of individuals he came into contact with duving association with BURNS, POLLACK menvioned that at one time during early 1958, while he was with BUENS ab a tavern in Atlantic Beach, Long Island, an individval identified by BURNS as Mr. ORMENTO came over to their table and said nello to BURNS On his way out of the tavern. POLLACK noted that this anpeared to be a chance meeting, and that there was no discussion between BURNS and this individual. Subsequently , POLLACK identified a photograph of JOHN ORMENTO, New York top hoodlum, as the individual he observed in the above tavern. . POLLACK also mentioned that while in Havana, Cuba, on one of his visits to GEORGE LEVINE, that LEVINE introduced him to a casino manager identified as JOE RIVERS; with whom-LEVINE seemed to be very friendly. It is , propdpze that this individual is JOSEPHXSILESI, with alias, Jogi vers, well-known gamoler ore sentls Deareting a : casino in Havana, Cuba. During the above interview, POLLACK furnished the following telephone numbers relating to SALLY BURNS and/or his associates: worth 6-1559 -—- Residence of SALLY BURNS, 215 Mott Street, New York City . CAnal 6-9667 Cafe on Mott Street, where BURNS and associates hang out, i ‘ Docld: 32327764 Page 12
NY 92-632 Greenwood Lake, Telephone At summer residence New York 7-2168 of SALLY BURNS. oo WHitehall 3-9033 Located at office utilized by BURNS at 40 Exchange Place, New York City. . WALker 5-9389 Telephone numbers at which GRamercy 3-9044 BURNS could often be located CAnal 64622 when not at home. Locaticn unknown. OO Ne. Havena, Cuba Telephone number in Havana. BO+-9655 where GEORGE LEVINE. could be reached. a, CLoverdaly Residence telephone of JOE 2-9021 QUAGLIARELLO, 1559 East 33rd Street, oklyn, New York © New Jersey, MICKEVAWEINER, lawyer utilized -“CHestnut 1-0022 by ANGELO DE CARLO Eneral 1-5508 ROCKY GRAZTANO, former boxer said by POLLACK to be god- father of SALLY BURNS! youngest ehild, a , BE 3-2592 Home telephone of sos be Goo WD who according to POLEXCK is employed in Purchasing Depart- ‘ment of City of New York, and close friend of BURNS. Docld: 32327764 Page 13
NY 92-632 POLLACK stated that he was furnishing this information to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBT), inasmuch as he felt that matters had reached the pant where SALLY BURNS and associates had no interition of leaving him alone regurdless of the amount POLLACK paid to them. He feels that BURNS now feels he has POLLACK "hooked" and will continue to bleed him for money. — He furthes advised that BURNS intimated POLMACK will be subjected to further beatings and suggested That POLLACK's wife and three children night also be subject to inconvenience and mishap if POLLACK were to be "uncooperative." POLLACK further related that he expects to gain a one-third interest in the Victoria Acres Race Track at Winnepeg, Canada, within a couple of weels. He advised that because of his familiarity With the construction business, and race track matters, he was called upon by the prominent people backing the track. to give them advice and assistance in developing the track. For this, he was offered - one-third of the’ stock in the track, which stock POLLACK expects will be issued within a couple of weeks. He advised that the track is for trotters and that there has already been approved by the Cenadian Government. He advised the entire track transaction is entirely legitimate. From & port ‘Lon of the proceeds of the stock from this track, he expects to repay SALLY BURNS a total of $13,0M and clear up numerous personal loans, On September 15, 1958, the records of the Credit Bureau of Greater New York, reflected that POLLACK has approximately ten judgments and suits pending in the New York City area for amounts of approximately $200 or less with the exception of one judgment in Nassau “County, New York, which is in the amount of $1,559.50. All of these judgments were filed in either November and December, 1957, or May, 1958. Thecredit wecords further ' ee Ww ' ~ Docld: 32327764 Page 14
‘Peflectéd chat on Novetiber 18, ¥957,. POLLACK filéd a voluntary petition of pankruptey in the Eastern District of New York, in the name of the Nassau Advertising Agents address unknown, in which he declared the instant firm nad $19,762 assets and $188,292 liabilities. The records feflected POLIACK cans a home valued at $18,000 and listed his employment as the Building Trades Council, 104 © ' Perry Street, Trenton, New Jersey. However, the credit Bureau determinea that POLLACK was unknown at the. Building Trades Council which is located at 151 Mercer ' Street, Trenton, New Jersey, and not at the address furnished. by POLLACK.. ,Docld: 32327764 Page 15