(Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote}. DATE: 11-14-2017 AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER: ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE: CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : v9.1 Docld:32330879 Page 1° TITLE: DATE: PAGES: JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-90093-10085 HQ 92-8100-48 Document Information FBI HQ 08/08/1973 13 NOFIO PECORA PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 07/16/1998 INDEFINITE RPT Date: 6/8/2015
Beteased gunder the John F. Kennedy Hseassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC Fi0T Hote). ATE AT 14-7017 - FD- 263" (Rev. 1-7-72) FEDERAL. BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION - ae REPORTING OFFICE _ | OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS 8/8/73 11/17/72 - 8/1/73 TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY SA HAROLD V. HUGHES NOFIO”PECORA (CHARACTER OF CASE AR ,* REFERENCE: New Orleans report of SA HAROLD V. HUGHES, dated 7/11/72. 7 INFORMANTS: | NO T-21 is NO 1283-C-TE contacted 11/30/72, 12/19/72, 12/22/73, 1/19/73, 2/22/73, 3/8/73, 3/28/73, 4/26/73, 5/14/73, 6/6/73, 6/21/73, 7/11/73, by SA HAROLD V. HUGHES. ym ADMINISTRATIVE: This case is being retained in a closed status inasmuch as subject is not known to be engaged in any known illegal activity. Further, as the Bureau is aware, he ACCOMPLISHMENTS CLAIMED sR NONE - ~CONvic. | Fue. [ FINES SAVINGS RECOVERIES ACQUIT-] case Has BEEN: TALS PENDING OVER ONE YEAR YES sf y]NO PENDING PROSECUTION OVER SIX MONTHS Cives4tdjno ' | | | | APPROVED » LOS IN CHARGE | DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW | COPIES MA act. LB - Bureau (92- -8109) . DIAGZID y BEM 5/20 + Ly ; ae ar 1 - USA, New Orleans CHO wis ia nals y an 2- - Departmental Attorney fife é -GSREESS ) New Orleans, ooneean 6 nye 81 13 1973 oe f 1 - New Orleans (9286 4 9B || Ta TH aAy Agency , N 2 DEbL Ob InauiCE Dissemination Record of Attached Report EBT Nota wg ‘ Te SZ - Request Recd. } Date Fwd. How Fv@.Q) [A and Ra ichetcering ; - By wwe ‘ Le . . a FIYS SATE conse Docld: 32330879 Page 2?
Reléased under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (47 Tt 7107 Wo te }- ' /DATE: 11-14-2017 NO 92-603 HVH/mor is being contacted under the TECIP. The following information is being set forth in the Administrative Section due to its singular nature. On 8/10/72, NO 1283-C-TE, advised that he learned that Mrs. FRANCES PECORA, wife of NOFIO PECORA, is planning a cocktail party at their home on the evening of August 10, 1972, for four judicial candidates who include, CONNELLY, LEVY, CALOGERO and BOPP. Source said that PECORA told him that he is getting somewhat upset over his wife's political activities, and is almost ready to attempt to get her to leave the field of politics completely. On 9/20/72, NO 1283-C-TE advised that he has recently been in touch with several of his long-time friends as a result of some of the wakes and funerals that they have attended recently for mutual acquaintances. , \ He said that at a recent wake he conferred with several. people, including NOFIO PECORA, who reminisced for awhile “about "the good old days." Source said that PECORA indicated to him that "These young punks don't know nothin'." Source said that PECORA reminisced about "the Black Hand" and said that "I never made no money with anybody livin’. All the guys I dealt with are dead now." Source said that PECORA told him that he was happy to see JIMMY CAMPO die, and said, "That's good . riddance.'' Source said that he then questioned PECORA because he remembered that PECORA "stood up" for CAMPO when he was married. He said that.PECORA replied, "I stood up for the girl, not for him." Source said that CAMPO, according to PECORA, was one of the six original 4 guys who came down to New Orleans from "back East" and tried to take over some of the action from the local New Orleans natives. B COVER PAGE Docld: 32330879 Page 3
F eased rider the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hotey. DATE: 11-14-2017 NO 92-603 HVH/mor Source said that PECORA gave him the impression from the way he talked that there currently are several factions of "organized crime" elements currently within the New Orleans area. Source said that it was his 7 impression from talking to PECORA that PECORA was a "Black Hand," and did not care to be identified with the current version of the Mafia or La Cosa Nostra. originally purchased the Fropical Tourist Courts in about 1954 or 1955, PECORA expended all of the money that he had been able to raise to purchase the business, and when he was requested by the electric company to post a $1,000 , advance fee, he could not do so. He said that PECORA then contacted Mr. PHILIPQQUAGLINO, since QUAGLINO had a cigarette machine in e tourist court office at the time of the purchase. He said that PECORA endeavored to obtain $1,000 from QUAGLINO, and QUAGLINO refused to. lend him the money. Source said that PECORA then went to the new owner of Crescent Cigarette Service and obtained the $1,000 | loan. Later, during a wake a mutual friend, PECORA ). | observed CARLO RCELLO, SOB YaRCELLO, Jr., WENCENT La | QWARCELLO, and several other asstciates standing with PHILIP. ‘ YQUAGLINO. When QUAGLINO spoke to PECORA and attempted to amen Shake hands with him, PECORA spat in his face. | | | Source said that PECORA told him that when he ; > This recollection was triggered on the part of PECORA when the source mentioned to him that he had heard the story about the time that JIMMY CAMPO allegedly spat in the face of CARLOS MARCELLO, who which PECORA replied, ~ "I'm the guy who spit in somebody's face." Source said that PECORA told him that he knew nothing of the alleged incident between CAMPO and MARCELLO. On 10/30/72, NO 1283-C-TE advised that about two months ago it came to his attention that JOHN SCHWEGMANN had been contacted by NOFIO and FRANCES PECORA, and FRANCES PECORA infroduced a man named JOHN KEITH, who supposedly represented FRANCES PECORA's brother DALTON SMITH. The purpose of this introduction was to attempt to interest SCHWEGMANN in a line of vitamin supplements produced by the Weider Company of California, wherein SCHWEGMANN would purchase these items and stock them in his nine supermarkets. Source said that apparently the meeting was C , COVER PAGE ee a Docld: 32330879 Page 4
Released under ‘the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records ‘Collection Act of 1997 (44 USC FIOT Hote). DATE: 11- 14-7017 © NO 92-603 _HVH/mor a success, as he later heard Mrs. PECORA mention to someone that KEITH had sold SCHWEGMANN some vitamin tablets for stocking in three of the stores. | Source said that NOFIO and FRANCES PECORA had dinner at SCHWEGMANN's house on the evening of 10/29/72, and during the course of this dinner a number of items were discussed which primarily related to politics. Source said that it is his understanding that FRANCES PECORA © will be SCHWEGMANN's pipeline into the EDWARDS administration, and will be the person. on whom SCHWEGMANN will rely in any of his attempts to have legislation passed or to exert any influence within the state government. - Source pointed out that at the present time, FRANCES PECORA is one of the most powerful political figures in the State of Louisiana. with NOFIO PECORA on 11/6/72,. he. and PECORA reminisced about political contests of years ago. He said that PECORA told him that he has been a staunch supporter of JOHN MC KEITHEN for many years, and recalled the time eight years ago when he and PETE MENEFEE (phonetic), two days before the ‘ele¢téion, went to St. Tammany Parish, La., with $50,000 in cash and proceeded to distribute this cash to influential people all over St. Tammany Parish and surrounding communities. Included among the people who received the money were various firemen, Deputy Sheriffs, and others who were in a position to converse with a*number of people and be very influential in obtaining votes for MC KEITHEN for. Governor. - Source said that PECORA told him. that "gresh Co, money" has been the secret of. MC KEITHEN's success in his , of various races for public office. In this regard, source said ‘that PECORA told him that MC KEITHEN is meeting with. FRANCES | . PECORA on 11/7/72, to give her money which will be distributed to influential people in connection with the election of MC KEITHEN for Senator. ~ On 11/6/72, NO 1283-C-TE advised that in conversation - Source said that PECORA told him that on 11/6/72, JOHN SCHWEGMANN, Sr. contacted Mrs. FRANCES PECORA and set | —— oO 7 _D COVER PAGE Docld: 32330879 Page 5
(Released .under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 USC 7107 Hotes. DATE: 11-14-2017 HVH/mor | NO 92-603 . | Source said that the original agreement with \ BALOGNA was that although BALOGNA owned property, he had placed this property in the name of his son-in-law, PHILIP CIACCIO, in order that there would be no inheritance tax to pay when BALOGNA died. The agreement was made at the time of the signing of the $100,000 note between PECORA and CIACCIO that upon the sale of any of this property that PECORA would be repayed any money which he might be required to expend in satisfaction of the note. Source said that he learned from PECORA that to date, CIACCIO has not paid- one cent towards the liquidation of the note of his late father-in=law and has completely alienated himself from PECORA by his various acts. |: Source advised that the reason PECORA has been forced to repay the money is that the original $100,000 note was placed with the bank, and it was necessary to mortgage the property at 6027 Chef Menteur Highway, which is now known as the Tropical Building and Tropical Trailer Park. Source advised that in recent conversations with NOFIO PECORA that PECORA reminisced about "the good old days" and said that the time he talked about before when CORRADO GIACONA got him out of trouble by sending him to Chicago to get a new job was actually the beginning of a new. life for him. He said that the person that he was instructed to see in Chicago, the person he was sent to meet was AL CAPONE. He said that upon his arrival in Chicago he met with CAPONE and was given the job at the Union League Club as mentioned { before. Source said that PECORA reminisced about CAPONE for awhile, stating that he was well regarded by most of the Italians, as he liked to pday the role of Robin Hood and could often be seen giving money to the poor Italians. On 3/28/73, NO 1283-C-TE advised that he recently saw JOSEPH PORETTO when they both were visiting NOFIO PECORA at the Methodist Hospital, where PECORA was confined for several days in connection with high blood pressure and a slight heart condition. Source said that PORETTO seemed to be in good spirits and was discussing with PECORA the possibility of PECORA's purchasing a small farm or acreage outside the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan area. Source said that PECORA told him that he is currently offering his business for sale for $850,000, and has a great desire to retire in hopes that he will live longer. _ G COVER PAGE ~ et _ \ | SE yy Docld: 32330879 Page 6
(“Released -undéer™ the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992: (44 USC 2107 Hotes. DATE: 11-14-2017 wn Sa a a, NO 92-603 HVH/mor . Source said that on 3/28/73, he stopped by the = | office of NOFIO PECORA and observed Orleans Parish Assessor CY HICKEY in conversation with PECORA. Source said that it was his understanding that CY HICKEY is a partner in an insurance agency with FRANCES PECORA, wife of NOFIO PECORA. On 4/26/73, NO 1283-C-TE advised that he recently visited the Tropical Trailer Park to talk with. NOFIO PECORA concerning matters of mutual interest, and observed New Orleans Assessor CY HICKEY in conversation with PECORA. Source said that as soon as he approached. PECORA, CY HICKEY left. the office. Source said that PECORA told him that the deal concerning the sale of 300 Decatur Street, New Orleans, had , been successful and that PECORA had sold the apartments. He said that PECORA is now attempting to sell his property at 6027 Chef Menteur Highway, for the sum of $850,000, but does not feel certain that he has any good prospects at this time. Source said that PECORA told him that he is negotiating for a large house in Slidell, Louisiana. The asking price of the house is $85,000, and PECORA is attempting to buy it for $70, ooo. Source said that he recently talked with NOFIO PECORA and PECORA seemed to be doing somewhat better. since his recent heart attack and seems to be thoroughly convinced 4 that he should sell his business and retire. Source said that PECORA seems to want to retire to Slidell and has almost succeeded in completing negotiations for a large piece of property namely approximately five acres with a house for the sum of approximately $80,000. Source said that PECORA told him that he has already obtained a buyer for his home in New Orleans and PECORA is considering the rental of an apartment if necessary to tide him over between the time of the sale of his residence and the occupation of his new house in Slidell. On 8/1/73, NO 1283-C-TE advised that he recently . visited the office of NOFIO PECORA at the Tropical Trailer | H COVER PAGE i ” aL Oa ” es o . 4 Docld: 32330879 Page Ff