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 Doclda: 32309257 Page 1 JFK Assassination System Date: Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-10298-10044 HQ 92-2824-106, 107, 108, 109, 110 . Document Information FBI SAC, DL DIRECTOR, FBI 03/03/1965 37 JFC, RES, LOAN, ASSOC, CRIMINAL ACT, B/F INT, REL, FISUR, TOLL CALLS , PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 05/11/1998 INDEFINITE INC LHM, 2 RPT, 2 MEMO 4/23/20]
F5 -263 (Rev 5-1-59) O C) - FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION REPORTING OFFICE OFFICE OF ORIGIN DATE INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD ~- ‘DALLAS DALLAS TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY IVAN D. LEE fo, ER Co | CHARACTER OF CASE JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka AR REFERENCE: Report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS, dated 4/9/65, at Dallas. \ Dallas letter to Bureau, dated 5/27/65. -p. ENCLOSURE: TO BUREAU de Original and one copy of letterhead memorandum characterizing informants utilized in this report. LEADS: CHICAGO AT ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS 1. Will identify current subscriber to telephone # 968- 1662, 962-4666, and 877-8107. APPROVED ear a | SPECIAL ne DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW COPIES MADE: ; 0 C. (3) ~ Bureau (92-2824) (Bwes=2) pais 137 1 = USA, Fort Worth 2 + Chicago (92-351) 2 = Houston (94-192) a 2 - New Orleans (92-40) fF SUL 6 1965 2 ~ Dallas (92=36) AN — DISSEMINATION RECORD OF ATTACHED REPORT a AGENCY... 22 --- | nono nn ne nnn | en nee en cen en nen nn ne ne ren we nnn [een nen ne tence en nee Sere REQUEST RECD. |..--..-----22nnnee enn nefnngeene none | fen eene a pene ence [ee eeeeee ere recess S ose DATE FWD. .-..--| 2222-2 Le ede Sof es Cf if. 4./ AS wa | eeeeneeeee eee ee HOW FWD. ....--|------ es Docld: 32309257 Page 2?
DL 92-36 ¢ subseribers to the following numbers: BR 6-4497 BR 8-5257 BR &-9717 BL 4-0151 2. Will thereafter attempt to ascertain purpose of CIVELLO's contacts with subscribers of these numbers. ADMINISTRATIVE: It is moted that the investigative period overlapped that of the previous report; however, this report contains informa~ tion which was received from auxiliary offices after referenced report was dictated. , Spot surveillances conducted by Bureau Agents on JOSEPH CIVELLO at his residence, 4809 Gulfstream, Dallas, at at his brother’s liquor store (Airway Liquors, 3122 West Mockingbird Lane) indicates that CIVELLO spends most of his time at the liquor store or his reSidence, Surveillance maintained on CIVELLO while at the liquor store indicates that he is usually conversing with his brother, CHARLES CIVELLO, and his brother-in-law, ROSS MUSSO, who usually accompanies CIVELLO from his residence to the store, On the days CIVELLO has been observed at the Liquor store, he has not been observed to use the telephone at the store, It was also noted that he did not have any visitors or converse with anyone other than customers making purchases at the store. Detective H, M. HART, Criminal Intelligence Section, Dallas Police Department, advised that in surveillances that he has con- ducted on CIVELLO’s residence, he has noted that usually the wives of CIVELLO and ROSS MUSSO remain at the residence most of the time. He stated that he has never observed the residence when all of the occupants have been absent. IDENTITY OF INFORMANTS informants DL T-1 is DL 271-C, DL T-2 is DL 135-C, and DL T-3 is HO 1082-C, The following informants who are acquainted with gamblers, | bookmakers, and criminal element in the Dallas area could furnish Cc COVER PAGE | | pocta:32309257 Page 3
no information to indicate that CIVELLO is. presently active in any criminal activities in the Dallas area; DL 140-C, contacted by SAs ROBERT M, BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE PCI STEVEN G. CANELLOS, contacted by SA ROBERT E, HARTZ DL 181-C contacted by SAS ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE DL 185-C contacted by SAS ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE > DL 197-C contacted by SAs ROBERT M, BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE DL 208-C contacted by SAs ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE DL 254-PC contacted by SA IVAN D. LEE Confidential source JEROME J. CRANE contacted by SA ROBERT M, BARRETT. D* COVER PAGE | Docta: 32309257 Page 4
. OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 j 5010-06-03 . - — MAY 1362 EDITION GSA GEN. REG. NO. 27 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO: | DIRECTOR, FBI (92-2824) DATE: —- 5/27/65 FROM ~X/SAC, DALLAS (92-36) (P) SUBJECT: qr JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka AR (OO: DALLAS) Re Dallas report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS dated 4/9/65; Bureau letter to Dallas dated 4/22/65 requesting Dallas to explore the relationship between JOHN DRAGNA, captioned subject and the hoodlum element in the Dallas, Texas, area. \fPhe 1965 City Directory for Dallas, Texas, reveals HWA DRAGNA and his wife ANN reside at 6128 East ty Boulevard, Dallas, Texas. His employment is “listed as the John Dragna Real Estate Company, 3611 A Greenville Avenue. “2:0 ,- / 3 .i/ A financial statement for the Merchants State Bank located at Ross Avenue and Henderson Street indicates that JOHN DRAGNA is one of the 22 directors at the Merchants State Bank. On May 20, 1965, H. M. HART, Detective, Criminal Intelligence Section, Dallas Police Department, advised that he had recently obtained a financial statement from Dun and Bradstreet and furnished a copy of the statement to the FB IV; The statement reveals that DRAGNA represents... substantial means with his affairs believed to be in good order. DRAGNA is active in real estate and oil and handles some construction as a side line. In November, 1963, JOHN A. DRAGNA deferred submitting a detailed financial statement, but stated he represented tangible worth in excess of >. a with assets centered primarily in stocks, oil royal! rid real estate. The investigation revealed that a cash account is maintained with a local bank with balances averaging in low to moderate five. figures. The file indicated that his assets Go Dales rece F¥2— asat—Lb/ IDL/jtf g1 JUN : 23965 (4) og poet ab Docld: 32309257 Page 5
«., DL 92-36 consisted of several apartment houses in Dallas, Texas, which are held by DRAGNA for rental income. Investigation revealed that DRAGNA is active in numerous civic functions and is well thought of locally. His annual income is estimated at $60,000 per year. The file indicated that DRAGNA was born in 1906, is presently. divorced and has been ‘a long-time resident of Dallas. On May 20, 1965, HART advised that their investi- gation of CIVELLO, which has involved numerous surveillances . in the past, has failed to indicate that he has been in personal contact with DRAGNA. HART advised their files contain no information to indicate that DRAGNA has a close relationship with CIVELLO other than the fact that they possibly belong to the Italian-American Club and attend various Italian functions. Spot surveillances conducted by Bureau Agents have failed to indicate that CIVELLO is associating with DRAGNA or that DRAGNA is visiting the Airway Liquor Store owned by eggs CIVELLO, - Regarding theggiiti Srna tion previously furnished by DL 135-C that JOHN DRAGNAY member of the Board of Directors of the Merchants State Bank, is subject's contact in the Merchants State Bank, Taformant was recontacted on May 4, 1965,concerning the person or persons who possibly leaked the information that FBI Agents were checking accounts at the Merchants State Bank. Informant stated he was originally of “the opinion that JOHN DRAGNA was the one who tipped off the individuals concerned, but now he is not sure inasmuch as any employee of thegbank, who was aware of the Agent's presence, could have—pssedson the information. Informant advised on his previous*contact, he assumed that it was DRAGNA but that he had no proof nor had he received any direct ' information that DRAGNA was responsible. In view of the fact that the informant can offer no concrete information as to the person or persons possibly -2- | noore:s2z0008 Page 6
ra) tad . aS & mt vo, SAC; Dallas (92-~36) 4-22-65 — Director, FBI (92-2824) ° y JOSEPH FRANCIS “CIVELLO, aka. , 2h AR: men Spore eine On page 2 of re report information is set forth, . attributed to DL 135-C, to the effect that John Dragna, a member of the Board of Directors of the Merchants State Bank, Dallas is Civello's contact with the Merchants State Bank as weil as ‘the contact for other local racketeers. This informant also reported that when the records of that institution were recently checked by your office, Dragna immediately notified Civello and several other racket figures who formerly had accounts in that Danis . * . It would appear from the above action on the part of .--. Dragha that his position with the bank is being utilized to thie, = advantage of the hoodlum element. Also from Dragna's action; there would appear to be some degree of influence exerted on a bank official by the hoodlum element. i In conducting: your criminal intelligence investigat{ of Civello, this situation should be more fully explored to’ determine the extent of Dragna's relationship with the hoodlum element and the-degree of hoodlum influence being exerted on him and the reasons therefor. Inquiries should also be made, to determine whether Dragna is related to Louis Dragna, * bos Angeles hoodlum. You should also be alert to the possibility of Dragna, in his capacity as a bank official being involved } in a violation of the banking laws. Upon obtaining more detailed information regarding this matter, a comprehensive letterhead memorandum should be submitted ‘to the Bureau in accordance with previous Bureau instructions relating to Hoodlum Influence in Banking Institutions. Tolson In view of the information received to date, you should Helmont—  b@ cixcumspect im your dealings with ene Merenante State. Ba + Mohr Gane cL” NOTE: Civello is a LCN member residité- fin Di curventiy. Bein . cilshko-—--—-_ investigated under CIP. DL being instructed to fully develop the extent of hoodlum influence being exerted on bank official:: and Folt . TT aT’ iy of this official with hoodlum elementecem === vale .. AILED & ‘Trotter aes od 4a Avs? M Tele. Room iF YP. . hip At Holmes Gandy Rosen Sullivan peace Tavel Seamer waste APR Oa 4455 ccwerst me fan ~ aN ee ee en een MAIL, ROOM TELETYPE UNIT | Docld: 32309257 Page ?F
so ' FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION DALLAS DALLAS 4/9/65 | 2/8 - 3/23/65 TITLE OF CASE REPORT MADE BY TYPED BY | " a JOHN B, HOTIS rmb JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO aka CHARACTER OF CASE REFERENCES: Dallas report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS dated 2/9/65. Dallas airtel to Bureau dated 3/3/65. Little Rock letter to Dallas dated 3/22/65. a Las Vegas letter to Dallas dated 3/25/65, LA. . -P- ENCLOSURE riod TO BUREAU: Original and one copy of letterhead memoran a characterizing informants utilized in this report. \ CHICAGO, HOUSTON & NEW ORLEANS - INFORMATION, 7 Information copies furnished these offices inasmuch as investigative leads remain outstanding with these offices. DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW : b. IAL AGENT APPROVED K f SON CHARGE COPIES MADE: 3» Bureau (92-2824) (Enor=B}” 1 - USA, Fort Worth, Texas 1 - Chicago (92-351)(nfo) 1 1 2 - Houston (94-192) (Info) | ~ New Orleans (92-40) (Info) - Dallas (92-36) Docld: 32309257 Page &
et ag A w | Docld: 323092757 Page 9 DL. 92-36 e, : : ! A review of Polk's Greater Dallas Directory, 1964, reflects ARTURO TREVINO, Agent, U. S. Internal Revenue Service, resides with his wife, CONCEPCION B., at 5111 Denton Drive, Dallas, Texas, On 2/25/65, Mrs. BIRDIE SUE BELCHER, Merchants Retail Credit Association, Dallas, advised ARTURO TREVINO has resided with his wife CONNIE at 7426 Concord Street, Dallas, Since October, 1964. He has been in the files of the credit bureau since September, 1953, and has continually carried a very high credit rating. He has been employed as an agent with the Internal Revenue Service since approximately 1956, and prior to that time worked for United Texas Drys Company, Dallas. His wife CONNIE was employed in 1954 by Taylor Publishing Company and is presently employed by Baptist General Co nvention, Dallas. The file reflects his previous addresses include 5111 Denton Drive, Dallas (1959); 4322 Deere Street, Dallas (1957); 1831 Idaho Street (1954); 2347 Lucas Street, Dallas (1954); 1016 St. Louis Street, Dallas (date unlisted); and 121 East Grawyler, Irving, Texas (1957). Mrs. BELCHER further advised that prior to moving to the Dallas area, TREVINO resided in San Antonio, Texas. - IDENTITY OF INFORMANTS DL T-1 is DL 135-C, contacted by SA JOHN B, HOTIS. DL T-2 is PCI STEVEN G., CANELLOS, liquor salesman for Phil Schepps, Distributors, Dallas, contacted by SA JOHN B, HOTIS,. The following is a list of informants utilized in following the activities of CIVELLO and his associates in the Dallas Division: DL 140-C, contacted by SA ROBERT M, BARRETT DL 135-C, contacted by SA JOHN B, HOTIS PCI STEVEN G, CANELLOS, contacted by SA JOHN B, HOTIS DL 208-C-TE, contacted by SA IVAN D. LEE DL 251-PC, contacted by SA JOHN B, HOTIS DL 181-C, contacted by SA IVAN D, LEE . Confidential Source JEROME J. CRANE, contacted by SAs ROBERT M, BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE -D*- (Cover Page)