JFK Assassination System Date: 5/28/201 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: FBI RECORD NUMBER: = 124-10283-10098 RECORD SERIES: HQ AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 100-42303-534 Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: MADVAY, J. EDWARD TO: DIRECTOR, FBI. TITLE : DATE: 04/10/1959 PAGES: 45 SUBJECTS : SMO, ASSOC, MAFIA, BKG, ORGANIZATIONAL SETUP AND LEADERSHIP, MEMBERSHIP, CRIMINAL ACT ~ DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: — Unclassified RESTRICTIONS: 4 . CURRENT STATUS: — Redact DATE OF LASTREVIEW: 05/19/1998 OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE ~ COMMENTS : v9.1 ° 8 i} I | | } | | | Docld: 32303086 Page 1
aN Celio i i | i BS 94-363 INFORMANTS PG T-1 is OLIVER FRANCHI, PCI, Gallatin, Pa., contacted by SA GENE H. STUDEBAKER. PG T-2 is PG -533-C, contacted by SA ROBERT A. COOK. PG T-3 is PCI CHARLES RUSSELL BURDETTE, R.D. #1, Sycamore, Pa., formerly employed by REPEPI. PG T-4 is PCI RAYMOND CARL BROOK, Monessen, Pa. PG T-5 is PCI ELI JOSEPH ARNAL, Canonsburg, Pa. PG T-6 is PCI MILLER N. ABRAHAM, Greensburg, Pa. PG T-7 is PCI ROCCO STASIO, Latrobe, Pa. PG T-8 is HAROLD W. HOUVER, Investigator, INS, Pittsburgh, who requested his identity be confidential. PG T-9 is FRED HOPE, Uniontown, Pa., being developed as a PCI, PG T-10 is Mrs. ROSE ROGALIANSKI, Republic, Pa. (Requested) PG T-11 is PG-561-C. PG T-12 is PCI GUS FRANCIS, Brownsville, Pa. PG T-13 is Former PCI DON CRAWFORD (Request), Brownsville, Pa. PG T-14 is HUBERT I, TEITELBAUM, USA, Pittsburgh. (Protect - Government employee) | PG T-15 is Legat, Rome, who by letter dated 9/3/58 from Legat, Rome, to the Bureau, Legat, Rome, advised that it had received information from Dr. COSTANTINO FONTANA, Chief, Central Bureau, Italian Police, Rome, Italy. PG T-16 is Former PCI GEORGE FAZE NICHOLAS, Pittsburgh, Pa., contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. \ COVER PAGE | Docld:32303086 Page 2?
\ . y De: | Docld: 32303086 Page 3 PG. 94-363 PG T~17 is PCI RUDY SOKOL, pittsburgh, Pa., contacted by SA JOHN S. PORTELLA. PG T- 18° is HERMAN ISRAEL, Pittsburgh businessman, contacted by SA JOHN S. PORTELLA. (Request) PG T-19 is GEBHARD "BOOTS" REABE, Captain, Braddock Police Department, contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. (Request) pg T-20 is PATRICK J. HAMIL, politician and member, School Board, Braddock, Pa. 2: contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. (Requested) PG T-21 is LEONARD BRADLEY, newspaperman, Braddock, Pa., contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. (Request) PG T-22 is JACK METZ, owner, Malleys store, Braddock. (Request) PG T PG T-23 is EDWARD F. "NACKY"-MC DONOUGH, Justice of the Peace, Braddock, Pa., contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. (Request) PG T-24 is VINCENT A. ROSELLA, owner, Gulf Service Station, Larimer Avenue, Pittsburgh. (Request) PG T-25 is MICHAEL A,  RUDMAN, Justice of the Peace, North Braddock, contacted by SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III. (Request) PG T-26 is PCI PHIL PETRULLI, contacted by SA JOHN S. PORTELLA. C COVER PAGE
| 4 attain a ah STE x Sats ss Y th Xe PG: 94-363 B. ORGANIZATIONAL SETUP AND LEADERSHIP _ During general investigations into criminal type matters and from general public sources,,\the name SEBASTIAN JOHN | LA _ROCCA, commonly known as JOHN}UA ROCCA, of Pittsburgh, “has frequently been mentioned as synonomous with the 1.1 ; ‘Pittsburgh area leader of the Mafia. RP, Ob ie ee a renrnnctencarcnimammenms FER AIO On May 11, 1953, during an interview with JOHN LA ROCCA in connection with an official matter, the subject of the Mafia came up and LA ROCCA advised SA JOHN S. PORTELLA as follows: — . He denied current or past existence in the United States of any organization known as the Black Hand or Mafia. He said Sicilians who had come to the United States had congregated in certain communities in the same fashion as had Irish and other nationality groups, because of similarities of interests and backgrounds. These communities had- naturally given rise to social, fraternal and civic groups and. members of such groups as a matter of course assisted other members who were in ay sort of trouble. The tactics used in some instances to achieve the ends desired by some of these groups were not always according to the letter of the law, but they were generally more effective. In any group there are those who refuse to work for a living and sometimes resort to extorting a livelihood from anyone who could be frightened or terrorized. In an Italian community these few would naturally be referred to as the Black Hand or Mafia because of the history of similar activities on the part of the Mafia in Sieily. fa wh Mannevt ne During interviews under various investigative programs, P GABRIEL "KELLY" and SAMUELWMANNARINO, TONYWRIPEPT and_leos et "L. PRANK)AMATO ae or have been Mafia “leadersin the Western Pennsylvania area. This spéculation has, for the most 7) part, been based on rumor, self-analysis or hearsay. pria: PBT PG T-1, who has furnishedreliable information in the past, advised on September 28, 1958, that prior to World War I~ the Mafia, known as the "Black Hand" did actually exist in the United States. (PG T-1 said that he personally knew the "Black Hand" dealt with his father-in-law (deceased)’ DoclId: 32303086 Page 4 r } Some persons speculated EL ANN addition v\ateEe LA ROCCA, ep Mages hi i
PG 94-363 (cor when the latter was living he told him that he had received a letter from the "Black Hand" demanding money with a threat to burn his store. He said that this was in about 1930 or 31 and that his father-in-law operated a small produce store. Further, that his father-in-law paid the "Black Hand" over a period of years for protection. PG T-1 said that his father-in-law never mentioned names and that he, PG T-1, could not furnish i the identities of the "Black Hand" members who dealt with his father-in-law.) . oo PG T-1 further advised that he learned from his father- in-law )and other sources, names unrecalled, that the "Black Hand" contacted Italians owning small stores in Monongahela, Pa., and vicinity and demanded "protection money' with the threat of bodily harm. Later, the "Black Hand" members would deliver produce such as bananas, cabbage, apples and the like to the Italian store owners and even though the produce or fruit was spoiled, nor ordered and of no value to the store owner, the owners were forced to accept the produce. PG.T-1 added that the price of the produce was extremely high; ‘however, the small Italian store owner always paid because he knew this was a practice of the "Black Hand." PG T-lsaid that he did not know of any specific store owner who could verify the foregoing information. ‘PG T-1 stat that it was his belief that TONY RIPEPI he and DOMINICK¥ANZALONE-were members of the "Black Hand" at-~2/ one -time-but“"he said that he had no proof of this. PG T-1 based his opinion on the fact that both RIPEPI and ANZALONE "gre big" after starting out as "bootleggers.". He said that he felt that neither RIPEPI nor ANZALONE would have gained their present power in the rackets had they not been members of the Mafia. PG T-1 further stated that he could offer no additional sources to verify his. beliefs. PG T-1 said that in the late. 1920's and early 1930's he recalled "talk" among the Italian-element, names unrecalled, | that JOE CANCELLIERE (deceased) who lived in Pittsburgh, was the "head" of the Mafia and that JOHN LA ROCCA was _ high in this organization. He said that he had no proof of this and could not furnish any source for his information. | SWAP em We ! a oe | | i \\ | Docld: 32303086 Page 5
PG 94-363 During this conference GIANNI became angry with ROSA and told him to "get out, you are through," ROSA left the room and about a week later GIANNI was shot to death. TONY RIPEPI On January 3, 1958, P@lT-lnadvised that he has known TONY RIPEPI for about 45 years and associated with him closely until about 1950. .. During a:‘discussion of the GARROW-EVANS murder in Pittsburgh in 1926, PG T-1 commented that he did not have specific information which would link TONY RIPEPI with the GARROW and EVANS murder but. commented that he did not want to discuss this matter adding, "If word gets back to TONY that I have talked to: you, he will have my place blown up, and that I . don't want," pop! * On January 20, 1958, PG T-2, who has furnished: reliable i information in the past, advised that ,in about. 1932, TONY fj RIPEPL, DOMINICK ANZAEONE? and CHARLES¥ZIMMARO of Monasse, Pa. , | éy the latter an associa: 1.0L RIPEPI, who’ was involved in the 7 numbers games, started¥énethe numbers business in a poolroom believed to have been. léased by ZIMMARO at Monessen. The informant said that ANZATONE and RIPEPI wanted him, informant, to use his influence to secure control of the numbers operations | MONS ISAS ALTA tt a _ in Washington County, Pa., which at that time were being” | operated by HARRY MLLER of Donora.. as. . PG. T-~2 said that he talked. to. TOM WHITE, who was then Chief of Police in California, Pa., and also ROBERT COWELL, deceased, who was then a. Constable of around Roscoe, Pa., but that individuals refused to allow ANZALONE and RIPEPI to operate the numbers in Washington County. PG T-2 said that WHITE and COWELL told. him that HARRY MILLER was treating them all right and that they had. no intention of permitting anyone else to operate numbers in Washington County. Informant. stated. that he told this to TONY RIPEPI and RIPEPI: said sgmething to the effect that "we will bump MILLER off.and bomb | FRANKIE PROTON's house in order to get control of the numbers," Informant explained that PROTON, who is deceased, Worked for MILLER at that time. -13- Docld: 32303086 Page 6
> asa || \ | \ Ne eememierateee ye ne ne PG 94-363 The informant said that after RIPEPI told him about "bumping MILLER off" he decided he did not want any further association with RIPEPI or ANZALONE and he gradually broke away from ~ this association. ' He stated that to his knowledge, neither RIPEPI nor ANZALONE took any physical action against MILLER or PROTON; however, RIPEPI and ANZALONE eventually gained control of the numbers racket in Washington County, forcing MILLER out. . ‘ During the investigation of TONY RIPEPI in 1958, the following sources were specifically questioned for information which they might have relating to the so-called Mafia, syndicate or organized crime in which RIPEPI and ANZALONE were associated. These. Sources said there was no indication that RIPEPI was a member’ or connected with a state or nationwide syndicate and that. they never heard RIPEPI's or ANZALONE's names mentioned in connection with the Mafia: PG T-1 who said he has been acquainted with RIPEPI for over 40 years. ot PG T-2 who is’ familiar with criminal activity in Washington County, Pa. PG T-3 ‘ who said he was personally acquainted with RIPEPI for many years. PG T-4 who was’formerly associated with RIPEPI's numbers -operation in Monessen, Pa. © . PG T-5 a former numbers operator in Donora, Pa. PG T-6 who stated he has been familiar with criminal activity in Westmoreland County, Pa. PG T-7 ' who. stated he has been familiar with criminal ' activity in Westmoreland County, Pa. PG T-8 a representative of another Government agency. PG T-9 who is presently a pick-up man in the numbers racket controlled by RIPEPI and DOMINICK ANZALONE, PG T-10 who is familiar with numbers operations in Fayette County, Pa. ap 615 | Docld: 32303086 Page |
| | | | —_ PG 94-363 which could pull strings from one point and control crime or gambling in another section of the country. He said that in spite of all these statements he knew that the FBI and other governmental agencies would not believe him; however, there was no way that he could prove his statements. It is noted that JOHN LA ROCCA was recently interviewed by SA ROBERT A. VOEGE regarding his connection with the MAFTA. The results of this interview were reported previously in this report. ; GEORGE "MOON MESSER, a self-admitted Pittsburgh numbers writer, 124 Elysian treet,’ Pittsbureh,/yas interviewed by SA ROBERT A. VOEGE on February 27, 1958, regar fing JOHN LA ROCCA. MESSER said that LA ROCCA used to be in the numbers in. the East Liberty area along with him and on one occasion LA ROCCA went to Chicago, I11., whereupon MESSER moved into the East Liberty area and took over the entire numbers operation. When LAROCGA returned from Chicago, he became angry with MESSER and had a car run over him one night when he was crossing the street. When MESSER got out of the hospital he said he found his automobile had numerous bullet holes in it. ; MESSER said that later he and LA ROCCA ended their feud and in approximately 1943, LA ROCCA invited him to share equally in the ownership of the Coin Machine Distributing Company, 5746 Baum Boulevard in Pittsburgh. MESSER advised that this company did well financially until the Allegheny County authorities raided the establishments where the coin machines were located. ey fj fe, MESSER advised that in about 1947, labor leader nici stIRONE bet! ¥VISLTESA Fhe company office to talk to LA ROCCA and SAM MANNARINO. STIRONE asked SAM MANNARINO to get some "gorillas" to handle some men who were giving STIRONE labor trouble on a highway peing built in the Monroeville, Pa., section and more specifically to give the dissenters a "going over" while upsetting their equipment. MESSER said the job was done for STIRONE by MANNARINO who became incensed when he learned his gorillas had hurt some older Italian men. MESSER said MANNARINO was under the impression that the men who had defied STIRONE were "young punks" and he let STIRONE know what he thought of him in. front of MESSER. ie) ~ 26 -. Docld: 32303086 Page & t a re nn nee re ee eee
a PG 94-363 exceeding $200. She had only $20 in cash. At that time Mrs. ADRAGNA advised Customs that her son, GEORGE ADRAGNA, was in Rome, Italy, staying at a hotel. On September 3, 1958, PG T-15,'-a confidential source abroad, advised as follows: GEORGE ADRAGNA, U. S. citizen, arrived at Palermo, Italy, on July 18, 1958. He took lodging at the Jolly Hotel until , July 21, 1958, at which time he departed by automobile for Alcama, Sicily. He returned to Palermo on ly 27, 1958, and was accompanied by his mother, GTUSEPrAYRIEAP rt. During his stay at the Jolly Hotel in Palermo ADRAGNA received visitors from the City of Alcama, however, nothing happenéd' which was considered suspect from the behavior or appearance of the visitors. In addition ADRAGNA traveled to Turin, Italy, where he stayed at the Hotel Principe Piemonte from AUStUSt 21, 1958 to August 23, 1958. Nothing of a suspicious nature was observed during ADRAGNA's stay in Turin. On September 15, 1958, the New York Office advised that GEORGE ADRAGNA arrived at New York aboard the "SS SATURNIA." He executed customs baggage clearance and his five pieces of, luggage were examined by agents with negative results. ADRAGNA was also given a personal search by customs and the search was unproductive. His 1958 Ford Skyliner which accompanied him on this trip to Europe was thoroughly searched with negative results. G. INDICATED VIOLATIONS OF FEDERAL OR STATE LAWS No information developed to date. H. PENETRATION OF MAFIA GROUPS No information developed to date. The second phase of this investigation pertains to the review of matters investigated during the early 1930's wherein the MAFIA or Black Hand or similar type name was an integral part of the investigation. The results of this review and supplemental investigation is as follows: [Do-4720%-534 - 29 - | Docld:32303086 Page 3