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 HW 45352 DBocld: 32296429 JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-10222-10205 HQ 92-2914-359 Document Information FBI DIRECTOR, FBI . 12/09/1971 34 GM, SUMMARY, ASSOC, REL, ILLEGAL ACT PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4; 11(a) Redact 01/11/1999 INDEFINITE, APPROVAL OF IRS Page 1 Date: 5/28/201 Released under the John Kennedy Bssassination Records Ollection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note). asef#:NW 45652 Date: 1i-—16-2017
o a O On 1/22/53, John Costello, a PCI of unknown reliability advised that about twelve years ago one Gasper Morganti was arrested, sentenced and became eligible for parole about five years later for a murder committed in Indiana County, Pa. Costello was approached by John LaRocca (62-69922) and Gabriel (Kelly) Mannarino in a restaurant in Pittsburgh, to use his influence with the Indiana County Judge in behalf of Morganti. Costello told them he could arrange for Morganti's~ parole for $10,000, but they would not accept his offer. LaRocca's partnership with the Mannarinos of NK, Pa., was forced on them by. ‘LaRocca. 100 -42303-72 p.1,2 (26) SI 62-69922-4 P. a (6-337 PG 509-C advised that among those known to him to be bookmakers was Kelly Mannarino, Wilmerding and NK, Pa. Mannarino previously operated a large dice and card game in Wilmerding with. the sanction of the local police. He would make a book on anything. - Detective Sam Coco (protect identity), Johnstown, Pa., PD, indicated that Joseph Regino, manager of the. Capital Bowling Alieys, NK, Pa., was connected with Mannarino and John LaRocea, of Pittsburgh, since Regino served a term in jail in 1937 or 1938 for one of the members of their group. (Pittsburgh report, 2/13/53) 62-98784-47 p.8,18 4 On 6/8/53, Gabriel Kelly Mannarino was interviewed in NK, Pa., in connection with Bookmaking and Race Wire Service Activities ' (62-98784). Mannarino advised that there had not been any extensive bookmaking or dice games in NK, Pa., since 1951; however, he and Sam had barbout games on a hit and run basis. The Mannarinos owned and operated the New Kensington Iron and Steel Company. and the New Ken » Novelty Company, and had been able to corner most of the cigarette. vending machine business. They had sufficient income from those enterprises plus their real estate holdings; therefore, they did not: (continued) HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 2?
OO O- (continued) need to engage in gambling. They had an interest in a gambling concern at Sans Souci Gambling Casino in Havana, Cuba, but did not own or operate Mother Kelly's in Miami, Florida. -62-98784-172 p.13,14 (8-,22,34) . In connection with the investigation relating to the "Grenap" (7-6920) case, information was set forth regarding checks made at various banks in the NK and Pittsburgh area to determine the © activities in the accounts maintained by Gabriel and Sam Mannarino. — A check was also made of their Florida_account which was closed on 9/15/52. On 11/23/53 IRS advised 7 -6920-2443 p.1,2 (2) Correlator's Note: Money deposited into the above accounts was to be checked against the ransom list of this case. ~ _ On.3/3/54, PG-509-C advised that Harry Gordon worked asa _ dealer and stickman at. a large gambling operation (name not given) in NK, Pa., run by Sam and Kelly Mannarino and others, all from NK, Pa. - Be a 62-98784-241 p.9 (34) . A Pittsburgh Office letter dated 3/19/54, revealed that the | NK, Pa., racketeers IH That ebReE* LY and had a fix on the next fight r i wh i + eae wets betweerREABNEH WhEBINE heavyweight champion Rocky Marciano. ON: aloha, “"O8 (continued) en, —_ . SHU RELEASE IN PART ‘oo G9. AUY ~Ab? . } TOTAL DENIAL, ES 1c iW 45852 DoclId:32296429 Page 3
i | . i This reference in the file captioned "Theft of $250,000.00 Jewelry from Martin Lehr, Victim, Arlington Hotel, Hot Springs, Arkansas, 3/27/57", set forth a summarization of information contained in the Pittsburgh files concerning Gabriel Mannarino from 10/14/42 to 3/27/57 in Arkansas,.Florida and Pennsylvania. Mannarino's associates were set out including Joseph Merola, a national. jewel robbery suspect who earned his living by fronting for the Mannarinos. The Mannarinos suffered financial reverses and borrowed as high as $25,000.00 from friends in NK. The Mannarinos purchased large tracts of land around the NK countryside for speculative purposes. Biographical data and a photograph of Mannarino were set forth. Photograph enclosed. 87 -34982-46 p.1,6,7,10,12,14- 34, (4735) ep. 4 The NY PD advised that in August, 1956, Frank Desimone (92-2973) shared a room at the St. Moritz Hotel. in NYC with Sebastian John La Rocca and a person named (fnu) Mannarino. The Los Angeles Office revealed that Gabriel Mannarino, 540. Charles Avenue, NK, Pa., attended the Apalachin, New York, meeting and it was possible that either he or Sam may have been Desimone' s roommate at the St. Moritz Hotel. i This serial indicated that La Rocca was a notorious hoodlum in the Pittsburgh, Pa., area and that the above meeting was held on 11/14/57. -92-2973-71 p.36 a) ‘On 10/16/58, PCI Alberto Suarez Aleman, employed as a combination doorman and caretaker at Calle 12 No. 20, Havana, Cuba, advised that about four months previously an individual, similar in appearance to Gabriel Mannarino, FBI # 854850, had lunched with a number of other individuals at the apartment of Santo Trafficante, Jr. (92-2781) in Havana, Cuba. 92-2781-86 p.1 (te) -12- | HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 4 ~ Fs 2
+ Theresa Martin (protect identity), 206 Howard Drive, Pittsburgh, and Leo McCauley (protect identity), former Deputy Sheriff, Allegheny County, Pittsburgh advised that Stanley Arnold Green (87-70317) and Arthur W. Benton (87-70317) in November and - December, 1962 and January, 1963, discussed a business deal involving. five million dollars worth of Canadian stocks and bonds that were to be taken to the Bahamas, the Virgin Islands, Switzerland or France. Some of the individuals in this deal were legitimate and some were. not, such as Gabriel Kelley Mannarino (locality not given). Add. info. | : . 87-70317-3 ep.l;outgoing: p.1 A Pittsburgh Office Report dated 10/16/63, revealed the - activities ‘of Gabriel Mannarino in NK, Pa., in connection with the investigation of a robbery of the Pittsburgh National Bank, Hillcrest Office, Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania, 9/15/63 (91-18301). Mannarino believed the persons who perpetrated the robbery were from outside the New Kensington: area. He "chewed out'' Nicholas Conomos, formerly of Vandergrift, Pa., a bank robbery suspect, whose father befriended him in years past. Later he had Conomos physically beaten and told to get out of town and stay out since. the robbery "brought heat down" on the area causing the rackets to be suspended. Thomas.Ciancutti, © a right-hand man of the Mannarinos,. felt that Mannarino would retaliate against the persons responsible for the robbery. The Adri Lee Motel, Irwin, Pa., was heavily patronized by Mannarino and other racketeers from NK, the Pittsburgh area and elsewhere in Western Pennsylvania. Add. info. 91-18301-21 p.F,K,,37,112-114, (40536) -:118-120,135,143,145, | 149-151,153 PH 665-C-TE advised that Russell A. Bufalino* was close to Gabriel Mannarino of NK, Pa. Mannarino visited Bufalino twice during the-year 1964, while Bufalino visited Mannarino on several occasions ok of Kingston, Pa. (continued) -18- HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 5
(continued) during the same period. On one of these occasions Bufalino, Dave Osticco (92-2762) and Anthony Frank Guarnieri* went together to. | visit Mannarino. . . Add. info. - 4 | 92-2762-32 p.7 (469 * of Pittston, Pa. . On 12/2/63, CV-581-PC in revealing how the Cleveland . “outfit! could put pressure on a person in Pittsburgh. to collect a debt, used the Mannarinos as an example. If someone in Cleveland put pressure on an individual in Pittsburgh to come up with the payment using the name of the Cleveland "outfit" and this was brought to the attention of the Mannarinos, they in turn would tell this individual to make the payment. This also worked in reverse, for in such a | situation there was no jurisdictional problem. ~ — On 1/15/64, CV-344-C advised that Gabriel Mannarino of NK, Pa:, was unquestionably a member of the "organization", but he would come under the domination of Tony Ripepi, ‘the most’ powerful individual in the Pittsburgh area. 92-5437-41 p.101,102,107 (6) - CV 344-C advised that in 1927-28 when his father, Guisseppi Pindelli who was born 1/1/97 in Cosilite Reggio Calabria, Italy and now resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, was in the Pittsburgh area, Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino of NK, Pa., were just coming up in the | racket activities. Pindelli would know the Mannarinos and they in a turn would know about him. (Cleveland airtel, 1/17/64) 157-742-334 P. 4 a5) =19- HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 6
On 3/30/64, CV. 581-C advised that Dominic Charles Lonardo (92-7336) had a friend who was running for sheriff of Hancock County, © W. Va. In the event the friend was elected, Lonardo claimed that the’ county would open up and he would be able to set up a gambling and: prostitution operation. The Mannarinos (first names not given) of | NK, Pa., were backing Lonardo in this set-up. Lonardo believed that Johnny Buzzano (phonetic) who was connected with the Mannarinos., would be the person whom he would deal with. 92-7336-17 p.E,F (48) In July, 1964 the NYCPD advised that John Masiello, a Bronx- - Westchester County hoodlum and trucking company operator, had, at some ‘time in the past, been in contact with Kelly Mannarino of Kensington, | Pa., Tony Carillo and the "old man" in connection with a vending machine problem. The PD was of the opinion that the "old man" referred to was Michele A. Miranda (92- 2860) . ° This serial indicated that Carillo was acting “Consulieri" for Miranda in the Genovese "family" of the LCN. 92-2860-272 p.B (36) During July 1964, the NYCPD (protect identity) advised that Tony, The Shiek, Carillo, the "old man" (probably identical with Mike Maranda) and Kelly Mannarino from NK, Pa., met with John Masiello to discuss Masiello's attempt to get a piece of the American Uni-Vend Vending Machine Company. The specifics relating to this meeting were unknown to the informant . This serial revealed that Carillo was Antonio Carillo (92-3962), Maranda was Carillo's chauffeur, and Masiello was a shylock and truck company owner from Bronx and Yonkers, New York. 92-3962-24 p. 2 C40) -20- nF 45852 DoclId: 32296429 Page fF
On 9/1/64, Trooper Arnold Fonseca (protect identity), Pennsylvania State Police, Butler, Pa., advised that Galiano Frank Acquaviva, 1024 South Mill Street, New Castle, Pa.,. was associated | a, with the Mannarinos of NK, Pa. CV-581-C-TE advised that on 9/8/64, Dominic Lonardo was . in Youngstown, Ohio, to see Mario Guerrieri concerning the Court of Cleveland calling for forfeiture of the $25,000 bail bond on Alfred Oponowiecz, which was issued by Lonardo and Guerrieri as agents for the Maryland National Insurance Company of Cincinnati. At this meeting - ‘Lonardo indicated that he had heard that someone connected with the i Kelly Mannarino outfit of NK, Pa., claimed he had seen Oponowicz on the West Coast recently. . .This serial indicated that Oponowicz of Ohio was a top ten ~ | _ fugitive. ‘ ‘ ‘. 92-5437-47 p.4,103 | (465 . . . The following references in the file captioned "Nevada - Gambling Industry" pertain to Gabriel Mannarino, a NK, Pa., LCN.member allegedly having. an interest in the Star Dust Hotel- Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, from approximately 7/9/61 to 2/23/65. The "runner" for the . ' Mannarinos returned cash from Las Vegas to Pittsburgh, which was taken "off the top" of the money in the Star Dust Casino. The Mannarinos lent money through their "lending agency". Background information set forth. REFERENCE _ ' SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER : 92-5449-161 p.1,3,6, 14,16, 30, | (1654D : 51, 37 7 -177 p. 77 . (16544,50) -282 p.223,224, 273 | | (¥75 44) On 6/27/65, Confidential Informant PG 704-C-TE (137- 10074) | } advised that Al Zeid* was murdered on the instruction of Kelly Mannarino, NK, Pa. The reasons for Zeid's murder were to get rid (continued) -21- | HW 45852 Docld:32296429 Page 6
rf (continued) of Zeid, who had become a bother and a pest, and to show..the people. in the business that the Italian Syndicate was still strong in | Pittsburgh. Six weeks before Zeid. was murdered Mannarino summoned | Zeid and Joe Friedman, an insurance broker and shylocker, to a conference because Zeid threatened Friedman with a gun for money. At this conference Mannarino told Zeid "stay away from Friedman or we are going to get rid of you", a | 4 | i ( ' On 7/20/65, the same source advised that Friedman was - _ Ituscled by Al Ross*, recently murdered. Ross was told to stay away from Friedman by "the boys up the river" (the Mannarino outfit). According to Friedman, John. Fontana* handled this solution for Mannarino. Add. info. 137 10074- 20 p.2,3, 7 * Member of the Mannarino gang DE 370-C-TE advised that on 6/23/65, Gabriel Mannarino of _NK, Pa., was a guest at the wedding reception given at the Latin. Quarter in Detroit for Jackie Giacalone and his bride. Giacalone was the son of Anthony Giacalone, | a leading Ttalian racket figure. in Detroit. . a On 6/23/65, a 1965. black Cadillac bearing Pennsylvania License 189-268 was observed in front of Michael Santo Polizzi's (92-2957) residence at 31 Webber Place, Grosse Pointe Shores, Mich. (sa) - Co On 8/6/65, Mrs y Jump r, Supervi sor; -Redord Section, Bureau of Motor Vehicles isbu ey P sy] nia ethatid! o.oo: 1965 Pennsylvania License -189+268. was. issued ‘to. Jean Mannarino, oo 540 Charles Avenue, NK. is : i - oe / a . (continued) -22- HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 9
OO fe Joyce Rivers, Manager, Heathwood Resort Motel, Miami Beach, Fla., advised that on 3/26/67, Alex Shondor Birns (92-2767), while registered at the motel, made a long distance telephone call to telephone # 866-8545. On 4/19/67 the records of the Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, Miami, revealed that since 3/2/66, telephone # — 866-8545 was a non-published number listed to Jean Mannarino. and billed to Gabriel Mannarino, 8919 Dickens Avenue, Surfside, Florida, who - was part owner of the Can Iron & Steel Company, NK, ‘Pa. Add. info. 92-2767-104 p.1,3,4 — (46536) , On 5/9/67, PG 775-C advised he was positive that the location of the Jacob Lerner (92-7339) numbers headquarters would never be located within the city limits of NK, Pa. Gabriel Mannarino had made it clear many times that he didn't want any more raids in NK, Pa., which would cause his name to be splashed around in the newspapers. . | 92-7339-8 p.3 (T8) - MM 986-C-TE advised that on 7/2/67, Tony Ripepi held a Gabriel Mannarino and his wife were among those who attended the party. - party at his Whitehall, Pa., residence for Frank Sinatra (not identified). Add. info. 92-2972-111 p.1,8,9 Ca) } The following references in the file captioned "Criminal Commission", pertain to the criminal activities of Gabriel Mannarino (continued) -24- 9 A RR A HW 45352 DBocld:32296429 Page 11
(continued) | REFERENCE a _ SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER 62-9-39-365 p.5,141, 147, 148 > -381 p.4,5,9-11, 53, 67,111,115 : (5525532, 96) -387 p.1 - (32) -398 ep.1-3 | (65 9 -415 p.1-4 | a : (632) -502 p.C,i,4,5,8,10,12,58 (E332. -509 p.2 oe en S>) -515 p.1 : _ BH 62-9-65-796 p.67,68 (652592) On 8/20/69, TP 134-C-TE identified a photograph of Gabriel Mannarino as an individual he had met several years ago in the company of Santo Trafficante (92-2781), Jimmy Lumia (deceased) and Primo Lazzara (both not identified). He believed that the introduction to Mannarino was made by Lumia. (Locality not given. ) 92-2781-1345 p.12 (6) ‘The following references appear in the main files of the individuals listed below. These references pertain to the associations and criminal activities of these individuals. and Gabriel Mannarino from approximately 1950 to 11/12/70 in Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania. Also set forth was information regarding Mannarino's association and contacts with other members of the NK criminal element. Background data set forth. NAME oo REFERENCE | SEARCH SLIP | | PAGE NUMBER Anzalone, Dominick  — 92-3111-8 p.17,21 (399 (continued) -~28- HW 45352 Docld:32296429 Page 12
HW 45352 Docld:32296429 Page 13 -29- (continued) | ‘NAME . a, _ | REFERENCE ' SEARCH SLIP | : — PAGE NUMBER, Betti, Albert 92-6893-3 p.B,3,4 HN Bonacci, Victor W... 92-6368-8 p.1,3. (2?,4b) \ Ciancutti, Thomas Anthony 92-7700-2 p.B,1,7-12, 9543) | 14-27, 29 - -4 p.B-D,3,4 3 -6 p.C,1-3— - 49543) -21 p.3 (43) _ Conf. Inft. PG 793-C-TE  137-14418-1 p.3C,4, ar 5,10,11 | Erra, Pasquale Michael 92-5389-3 p.C, 20-22 (16545) | : -121 p.2 (1.654049) Fashion, Samuel J. 92-8792-1 p-6,7. Oo (97 Flex, Emidio Donald 92-10791-7 p.5,7. (20a) Fontana, John Christopher 162-1727-1 p-1,5-16,18 (Cone Genovese, Felix 92-6401-1 p.1,4,6,12,29 (4842) “Genovese, Mike 92-2972-16 p.19,28, 29 (4338) . -20 p.15 4) -39 p.B-D,1,4, (4.3338) 11,13,15,16 -41 p.B,1,3,4,11- (13;38). 15,17 -47 p.D,1-3,11, (4338) 12,14 -51 p.9,22 (433 -55 p.D,1,8-11 (44,33) -60 p.7-9,11,13, QA) 14,17 _ | -69 p.9-11 (14). -99 p.B,C,11,12.. 4,98) (continued)