Released under the John F. DATE: 11-14-2017 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 ocld: 32322973 Page 1 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote). Date: JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-90008-10039 HQ CR SEE TITLE Document Information FBI LA HQ [Restricted] 03/15/1962 7 RICHARD KAVNER [Restricted] PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 09/16/1997 INDEFINITE AT 15 5/6/2015
Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1999 (44 USC 2107 Hot DATES (Bee Le BOI) . ° FBI Date: 3/15/62 | | i | i | | | | \ (Type in plain text or code) AIR MAIL betwee (Priority or Method of Mailing) | TO: DIRECTOR, FBI | \ FROM : SAC, LOS ANGELES 0372 2615 1 mare Cg SOE OT 7 TM? RE odes > L.A _4379=PC__.. FOR REVIEW bi Eni “GOP ECHELON CRIMINAL Tg usa RE fi EQUEST INFORMANT PROGRAM (SEE BUFILE é2. 117888) Re Bureau airtel dated 1/19/62. _ This case is currently assigned to SA JOHN ROBERT BARRON and informant will hereafter be contacted exclusively by SA BARRON and SA TIMOTHY L. DONOVAN. { ~The following background is submitted regarding this source: Date of Birth 11/2/29 © Place of Birth Caguas, Puerto Rico Height Bis" Weight 150 pounds Hair Brown ALL AW CAS, yes Brown HERES Uh cD z, yes Sao white wae JOH 56 aL Se" ie Complexion Dark ~— , pe DiAtetuy Marital Status Married, wife CA INE / May Children ; Two, Boy - Age 6 mV 2bECi WT AMAL 2 OVAIAE : a mined Girl - Age 3 a4 Social Security No. 066-26-7131 Wes Sig Bivoareas (REGISTERED ) Los ‘Kngeles N 2 OEbL VE} WB ire: 137-2616) “a ~934 EBT} 888} i ~ 62-5125 (1 - 137-2528 ) JRB/rhf c(t 4 i eee CF: 6: 9) BAR a0 angspecial Agent in Charge fed win l a & 1362 ie * = 32 | Docra: 323522973 Page 2?
ag NN NN ~ - ion Act of 1992 (44 USC 7107 Hote). LA 137-2616 California Operators a License B1285552 Military Service Enlisted U. S. Army — 2/21/52, ASN-RA 19397016 Received Medical Discharge 1/15/53 A review of Los Angeles indices reflects that informant was the subject of case entitled "JUSTO RAMON LEON SANTOS, aka Jimmy De Leon, registered as Justo Raymond Leon, SSN 4o-4~29-487, SSA, 1948", Bufile 25-322346, Los Angeles file 25-52101. Investigation in this case was initiated to determine if JUSTO RAMON LEON was identical with registrant JUSTO RAMON LEON SANTOS. Investigation determined that he was and it. was subsequently determined that LEON was in the Army > and prosecution declined for this reason. In connection therewith, LEON was contacted and at this time it was determined that he was given a Medical Discharge for hallucinations and mental problems. Concerning the above, it is noted that in all three contacts and interviews by Agents with LEON, he has in no way manifested any mental or emotional problems. His position as owner of two of the most elaborate restaurants in the Los Angeles area would tend to bear eredence to this fact. Los Angeles will continually remain alert for any signs of emotional instability. - To date investigation has in no way reflected that this informant has furnished any false information. — : Informant resides with his wife and children at 2548 Laurel Pass, Hollywood, California, telephone — OL 6-7068. He owns and operates the Ia Scala Restaurant and the Au Petit Jean Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. . on 2/8/62 the records of the Los Angeles Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff's Office were reviewed negatively by IC STEVEN T. SCHOENBAUM. On 1/25/62 a negative review was made of the records of the Retail Merchants Credit Association, Los Angeles, by IC TED W. CRAWFORD. | Docld: 32322973 Page 3
. eased under the John. Kennedy Assassination Recorde Collection Act of 199 DATE: 11-14-2017 2 (44 USC 27107 Hote}. cite) [ee fund drives. ; Ly »/ cially to himself and others. STEIN st: “ 4nvolved with him in this promotion Bré WALTZ iy Lf LA 137-2616 PC on interview, advised that following his discharge from the Army in 1953 he drove a Yellow Cab in San Francisco. In approximately 1955-1957 he worked as a waiter for FRANK SINATRA at the Villa Capri , Restaurant, Los Angeles. In 1957 he began the operation of the La Scala Restaurant, Beverly Hills and at the end of 1959 began the operation of the Au Petit Jean. On 2/21/62 informant was interviewed and furnished the following information to SAs FREDERICK #. RODERICK and JOHN ROBERT BARRON: if df, f Informant advised that STEIN has a promoters license which permits him to engage in fund raising campaigns for various charitable, organizations and ~ STEIN, in the past, has “téld informant that he has been very active in the“promotion of fund raising act Nities held anually in New York under the auspices of “Poor Children of Italy”. STEIN has bragged to ant trat this"accivity is most lucrative finan- téd that-also fand New York political boss_CARMINEADE.SAPIQ~ Lo - Informant recalled that in late 1958 or early 1959 informant, along with his wife, accompanied STEIN to the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. He stated while at the hotel he and his wife, as well as. STEIN, had — everything on the house. STEIN was given much freedom in the hotel and walked inside the pits without being challenged. Informant recalled that on one occasion DESI ARNEZ joined STEIN and himself in gambling at the crap table at the Sands Casino. At this time ARNAZ lost the sum of $26,000. STEIN said, "Don't feel bad DESI, I'll get you even". He then went to the casino cashier's cage at the Sands and obtained, without a note or marker, the sum of $5,000. ‘They thereafter went to the Tropicana Casino and within fifteen minutes STEIN had won the sum of $15,000 which he gave to ARNAZ and stated that this was the last time he would do ARNAZ such a favor. -3- i DocId: 32322973 Page 4
| "Released -under-the don Ff. Kennedy AResassination Rect Rel : & Eeaseina = a: i ot of 199 ! hath, die4acou17 ion Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 USC 27107 Hote) \ “ : a ~ - Nee LA 137-2616 - \ “O calledthat durin ¢nis association producéd him t4 nigh ranking Teamster officials - HAROLDKGIBBONS.... RADE KAVNER and (FNU)- SANSOUCL (Prionetro)\who;~accord: Fo informant, hold STEIN in high regard. He statedthat these men all - old credit agcounts at the) mE rant and ss Informant 7 with STEIN, STEIN still frequent this rest wrante while in ée tos Angeles hile A > area as does Teamster sident JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA. ° A SANDS HOTEL, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA ~ During informant's. association with NATE STEIN, he was informed by STEIN that JOSEPH STACHER was the real owner of the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas.. He also advised that STACHER had interests in other tun-named Ias Vegas hotels. He was advised that the financial wizard for ~ STACHER in Los Angeles was MARVIN COLE. He stated that Mrs. COLE and Mrs. STACHER often come into the La Scala Restaurant. He stated that the owners of record of the Sands Hotel who often visit the restaurant and are known personally to him are CHARLES KANDEL, CARL COHEN, JACK ENTRATTER, CHARLES TURNER, AARON WEISBERG, FRANK SIN&TRA and Colonel JAKE FREEDMAN, now deceased. He advised that these men, and in particular CARL COHEN, are — frequently attempting to have him front a restaurant for them in either Los Angeles, Las vegas or Mexico. He stated he has always refused to do so. - STEIN told the informant that in the routine operation of the casino at the Sands Hotel each individual pit boss, besides receiving his regular salary, takes - the sum of $55 per day under the table. He stated that only three men are permitted in the counting room who were CARL COHEN, CHARLES KANDEL and a third individual who. informant did not recall put stated that it was not JACK ENTRATTER or CHARLES TURNER. STEIN told the infos mant that tremendous amounts of money are taken out of gambling casinos in Las Vegas which funds are not reported. He did not explain to the informant how this | -was done. Informant stated thattwo weeks prior, CHARLES KANDEL was in Los Angeles and told the informant that he was going to Miami, Florida for two weeks and while there was going to stay at the Fountainebleau Hotel. -4- NVQ Ae - ! t + ocld:32322973 Page 5
‘Releaspa under tne sour F- Kennedy Asfassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 USC 27107 Hote). DATE: 11-14-2017 ; pe bee a é _ LA 137-2616: Co. w '\- KATLEMAN is known to the source personally and frequently eats at the La Scala Restaurant. NN Informant advised that KATLEMAN is the former owner of the El Rancho Vegas which burned down. KATLEMAN is urrently building another hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. ~ /J®A TLEMAN associates with prominent attorney. ; n _® KORSHAK and is seen regularly with him. KATLEMAN Whe A tere=ISes Angeles on 2/9/62 and sailed from New York Ao on 2/13/62 aboard the Ile de France for France (This WH information has been substantiated through other sources ). Informant advised that ten months prior he was approached by KATLEMAN and Beverly Hills attorney _ | GREYSON BAUTZER and the following business deal proposed: | These two men wanted the informant to assume the ownership and to front for KATLEMAN in the operation of Romanoff's Restaurant, Los Angeles. ‘They advised they intended to buy the restaurant and to use informant's name as being the sole owner. They stated that they would remodel the restaurant for him and the suggested price ; for remodeling was $125,000. He was told by them that he would be paid handsomely for this operation and to : think it over. He stated that they returned two weeks later and he refused their offer on the grounds that he was running a French restaurant himself and that he- would be competing with his own restaurant. He stated that based on his refusal these men did not go into further details concerning this operation. On 2/28/62 informant was interviewed by SAs JOHN ROBERT BARRON and TIMOTHY L. DONOVAN. the operation of a restaurant to be build and operated as an exclusive restaurant in Beverly Hills, California. According to SINICOLA this restaurant would be the most plush restaurant in the country. f SINICOLA to go into partnérship with FRANK SINATRA in -5- Docld: 32322973 Page 6 é
‘Réleased under the John_F. Kennedy_Assassination RecerdsColtecti a - DATE: 11-14-7017 1 Ct of 1997 (44 USC 27107 Hote) ~N an \ _ { Docld: 32322973 Page 7 _ > { , 4 a, ; vam rc ‘ i 7 . was LA 137-2616 “Informant stated he stimulated no interest in this to SINICOLA but upon SINICOLA's insistence he went to his office shortly thereafter and talked _ long distance with FRANK SINATRA who at that time was 4n Monte Carlo attending a celbration given by Prince ‘and Princess RAMWIER. During the conversation with SINATRA he told SINATRA he would be interested in the operation of such a restaurant if the following ' presented to SINATRA he became extremely angry and conditions would be met: | oo (1) That SINATRA close down nis operation of the Villa Capri Restaurant, Los Angeles. (2) That SINATRA's name hh no way be identified with the operation of this restaurant. He stated that when these conditions were demanded to know why his name should not be used. Informant told SINATRA that during the time he was working for SINATRA at the Villa Capri Restaurant it was obvious to him that the type of clientele drawn to that restaurant was not desirable or good for business and made specific mention of thewomen that frequented the Villa Capri. Informant told SINATRA that he felt 4f his name would be used in the new restaurant, that this same type person would start coming to the restaurant and that the name and reputation of a first class restaurant could not be maintained. He stated that SINATRA did not agree to these terms and the deal was closed. Shortly thereafter FRANK SINATRA opened ‘ Puccinni's Restaurant and his manager, HANK SINICOLA, set out in a planned effort to steal informant's help from the La Scala Restaurant. He stated they offered them higher salaries in order to influence them. Informant stated that one week prior to the opening of the new restaurant, he fired all his help and told them they could go if they wanted to or stay with him and he would rehire them.. He stated all his help stayed with the exception of his maitre'd, MAT JORDAN, who-went to the new ‘restaurant and operated the restaurant for a short while for SINATRA. He stated that JORDAN did such a pad job on his own that two to three months later he left and is now back at the La Scala Restaurant. m - 6- \ Ny Qs ee :
Released under._the Jehan . . DATE: 14414-2017 tS = Ree = vs Sy . 2 LA 137-2616 _ Informant stated that he mentioned to NATE STEIN that he was not going into the above-described f deal with SINATRA and when STEIN heard this he told him he was crazy and was passing up the opportunity of a life time. . Informant recalled that when this deal was presented to him by SINICOLA and SINATRA that he was told money was no object and that he could have any location in Beverly Hills that he desired for the construction of the new restaurant. Regarding SINATRA, informant stated that he was a very arrogant and domineering man and that he usually had his way with anyone he dealt with. He stated however, that on one occasion he observed FRANK SINATRA after an appearance in Las Vegas, come in to Los Angeles late at night and go directly from the airport to the la Scala Restaurant. He said on this one occasion NATE STEIN was in the restaurant at the time of SINATRA's arrival and STEIN upon seeing SINATRA informed SINATRA to come outside that he wanted to talk to him and pulled him by the arm. Informant couldoverhear STEIN dressing SINATRA down. Informant wanted to mention this only to signify the overall importance that STEIN has with these J people in Las Vegas because SINATRA would not take } this from many people. MISCELLANEOUS | . Informant advised that numerous individuals \ i that he considers are connected with the criminal — | | world frequent the La Scala Restaurant. He says he | knows no specific information regarding these people put considers them to be involved in hoodlum operations. . They are: JOHN ROSELLI, JOHN DREW, MOE DALITZ, RAY RYAN, JOSEPH FISCHETTI, SIDNEY KORSHAK, LOU LEDERER, and MEYER LANSKY. Informant stated that he would immediately advise the Los Angeles office when any of the above- mentioned individuals came 4nto his restaurant so that _ | Los Angeles would be aware of there being in this area. . | He stated he would remain alert for any information | concerning deals that the above individuals were involved | 1 in. Efforts to develop this informant will continue and I " | | — the Bureau will be. advised of informant's development. Po, _ -7- | ; wee N soy AA a ov wpe Me {| Docld: 32322973 Page 6