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 Docld: 32327965 Page 1 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 199? (44 USC 2107 Hote). JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-90066-10209 HQ CR SEE TITLE Document Information FBI NY HQ [Restricted] 05/21/1962 9 SALVATORE GRANELLO [Restricted] PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 06/24/1998 INDEFINITE MEMO 20 Date: 5/21/201
™ . REMedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 DATE: 11-14-2017 -- : A se acces OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 5010-104 . Hote}. ve oaRe % . “, ¢*, UNITED STATES G RNMENT = Memorandum ‘ 7 ‘ ames toe 0 TO: DIRECTOR, FBI (137-7461) SAC, NEW YORK (187-7694 ) ast CGONF. NFS. . (7 tees, eS ea SUBJECT: / NY _33682C-TE - ; NY 3368-C-TE was interviewed by SAS WARREN J. DONOVAN and JAMES P.: FLYNN on 5/15/62 and furnished the information set forth below: ’ C 7 ALL INFORLAATICN CONTAINED . THE CRIMINAL COMMISSION; ET AL , AR- CONSPIRACY = Aiea Las oF lane MSE, NY File 92-2300 _ JEM) > - / NY 3368=c-TE advised that a ritual is, part of the formal induction of a sponsored Italian hoodlum into the . organized criminal element. as a "button man". © 42, Prior to this ritual, the sponsor, already in the “A organized element, brings the candidate around to meet the a various caporegima in a particular "family". The purpose of “ this introduction is to determine whether any information is 4. known to them that would be an impediment to acceptance of the: of WA candidate into the family. ALK . If no impediment is uncovered, such as having been aie at one time a pimp (procurer) or ever having furnished ; Wie information to the police, the candidate is "made" by a yar caporegima, underboss or boss. Only they have the power to ; make button men. , This informant pointed out that swats4 LLIGAN — : jy ( DOMINICK-€’ TAFFONE ) cannot, beéome a button-because he was pimp, [ . but also adviséd that CARL;¢PPOLITO aka Poppey of Trenton, New Jersey was made a button déspite the fact that he was known fo | ‘ve | WEVE™acted as a police informant in the past. According to the wii {| source, the fact that IPPOLITO is a money maker, one who has th¢ ‘eg talent for making money in the rackets or legitimately, was the —-~ i deciding factor. It is his opinion that IPPOLITO is not trustod : by his fellows andr-is,not permitted to know about matters of \y absolute secrec ob : \" Tag Xa” REG: 85 ae 8/= Bureau (137-7461 ) REC- 13 4 3 77 - Jefe | og fe 1 = New York (137-300 ‘Sub A) pi /2)- / ee - 1 Newer (137-720papae si “yon ie ee oo yA LEG? ay aan 7 chance ° o ie F ‘ FIP (Ong) Z VA ee 94 1 Of wh bog Ia) oe ye : ( AY : /
“Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 19927 (44 use 2107 Hote}. DATE: ~P1-14- 2017 ra ° NY 137-7694 .- il fi The informant stated that among the many button men in the United States are numbered men in the professions and respectable occupations. He added that doctors and lawyers are included, naming an (FNU) LONGO, an attorney in Brooklyn, New York, as an ex e.. He » also cited one of JUDY GARLAND's husbands, WINCENT ANELLL, & Hollywogd: enue as a button man who was made by Y¥_JOSEPHAROES Le. / It is to be noted that this idfornantwnenine ¢ California knew the following to be important members of the organized criminal element: ae i SCAPIT I (ph) in San Fr sco : ae Hise nance CKXPRAGNA} and his son, JACK} re “Mibeves ‘EB ANZ ONE (ph), now gécéz wer a dq. The informant again iterated that in the New York area there are five "families", and that the head of each family is a member of the "Commission", He, pointed out that throughout the United States, there are approximately 30 members of the "Commission", indicating that there are as many "families", each headed by a boss, underboss ,and consuleri with caporegima and button men, numbering approximately 10 to. each caporegima. The informant advised that the boss” of each family is supposed to be chosen by the button men, ‘and is known by them as the "padrone" or "old man". His underboss is often called "padronesuita" (ph). The, "consuleri" is usually semi-retired | and does not. usually have any button men directly under him, but receives a’ piece of the. action of many of the "family" members, This source also pointed out that the Chicago "family" a conducts its internal organization in a slightly different ; | manner, selecting a new boss about every four years The former “I boss is promoted to semi-retirement,. deriving income from the | "family". He cited ROCCO FISCHETTI as being in this category today. He explained that this is a truer form of organization, allowing many more to make money than the New York system wherc a boss, like PROFACI, can be in power and derive a lion's share of the money for over 30 years, = Qa SS Yo BE | : Docld:32327968 Page 3
‘Released tinder the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 3187 Hote) . - DATE?” “11-14-2017 4 NY 137~7694 He also pointed out that under the "old country" rules, if a father was a button man, his son, during his father's ; lifetime, could not be a button man, but could be in on everything --~ in the "family". The purpose was to avoid a "blood line" which would influence decisions to the detriment of those button men ; in the "family" not of the "blood line". i The modern, or Americanized, rule/ does not prevent , the "making" of, father and son during the vame lifetime. He | feited ALBERP HANA prt gy ALBER' STASTIA-as among the first ¢ bosses, | yf re stated that’in the” New Yérk area, VITOXG JOSEPH ! / “Uy PROPACT follow the ‘old. cowntry rules, whyle CARLOZCEMBINO.. - | tons zoe and JOSEP SONANNO are modern neir rule. X. - The informant stated above that the button men are _ Supposed to select their own boss. He pointed out that more often than not, the Commission will appoint a boss of their own choosing. He did not cite an example of this. In further explaining the function and authority of a consuleri, the informant stated that in the absence of boss or underboss, the consuleri makes minor decisions. He is at all times an advisor to the bosses, underboss, caporegima and the button men. The informant stated that the caporegima is often } called a captain, but added that such terms as general colonel, etc., have no meaning or comparison with existing organization in the criminal element. Concerning the expression "the geep", the informant advised that this is applied to a person of the old rule, often called "mustaches", It is a term used, but not to the face of the person to whom referred. The informant advised that the JOSEPH PROFACI family ; has as caporegima the following: “| NA - Brooklyn . VATORBMOSSACCHIO;aka Sally the Sheik - Brooklyn : DO" gka “Jotinhy «Ba tnbGach”=BFOOKT yA | ret casa aed RTOS -_— VATOREASADALAMENTT - Brooklyn TOHNSMASURACA aka Big John - New Jer sey | WIROPIANO aka Whitey - Gonnecticut a fy -3- QUAL AWS SS | he | Docld: 32327968 Page 4
- Released | under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 19927 (44 use 2107 Hote; MATE: "11-14-2017 . | ” NY 137-7694 if OSBRUTMAGHEOGCO.. dis the underboss in this family \} (and CHABLESYE0-CICERO~aka Charlie the Sidge, is consuleri, 7 ANTHO IYMBONASERA 2 aka The Chief, was a caporegima but due to a Ul ayanirt ic condition Ha8"beén retired and is paid about $200. 00 ae ; per week, ar all [ The informant related he knew of two other buttons who became syphilitic and when the condition deteriorated their ILLIEs Seevs g, af control of their tongues, they were executed. W i was one su -o button and the other was executed bj and PETE FEO. 0 The followjng named individuals are button men who answer to. ZALVATORE AB ADALAMENTT. according to the informant: Dt (aie ANTHONEAEERRATNO | | MORETTI. SARC SCAVERO QDDO (red-faced Italian who looks Irish) | INDELICATO aka Joe48tootch (currently in Florida) reece RCNA i enent Ve informant advised that! ‘JOHN SCIMONE aka Johnny Seimini as a chauffeur for JOSEPH PROFACI as well as his chief executioner on private killings of PROFACI's that were | done without clearance with the Commission. b esuremomnceesessce ate, Rsy Concerning FRANK PROP AGTS ae il¢ informant stated that . | although a button, FR: PROFAC I answers directly to JOSEPH , . PROFACI. JOSEPH PROFACI'S nephews also answer directly to him. The informant added that AMBROSE and ANTHO ) answer to their-brother, ~JOSEPH MAGLIOCC acct same 51 GENOVESE who answers directly to his SLD PTR, brother, VITO GENOVESE! j In both cases, the brothers of the } bosses have power and respect due to their relationship. The informant advised that JOE PARISI's sister, who | is employed by the Compensatdon Board, has in (the* past been | } the girl friend of JOHNNY, OBOLITTO and TOM Aempreer He statcd | that she is now thé“girl/frienaor CARMINE \per SKPTO. Lf ; The informant namea the following as caporegima ™ the VITO GENOVESE family: i SAVES: oaty 3 BQ | Docla: 32327966 Page 5
"Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 219% Note) . , BATE » %11-14-2017 ‘ - EN ‘ NY 137-7694 i ff (Com a8..QUATRO aka Dom the Sailor MeORTLLO. aka “Tony the Sheik 4 (BENJAMTNQSE. MARTINO aka Benny the Sum | é ANGELOMAR CARLO. aka Gyp ~~ MIKE~MIRANDA—is_the-—und€@rboss in the family; while aka Tommy Ryan is the consuleri. MIKE GENOVESE, aka Gumba Mike, is a button directly answerable to VITO GENOVESE and therefore commands a great deal of respect and power. The informant named the following as being in the. ! GENOVESE family: . SA Lee The informant advised that BENJAMIN DE MARTINO aka Benny the Bum is a caporegima with VITO GENOVESE and has the Bronx area, as well as part of Westchester, in which to operate, The informant will attempt to determine additional information regarding his operations and activities. He also advised that the following are members of DE MARTINO's crew operating in { Manhattan's East Harlem area in shylocking: . LITTLE MIKE (not otherwise known to informant) JERRY (runs a candy store at 120th Street and 2nd Avenue ) PHIL (owns the candy store - occasionally drives a taxi for cover) The informant advised that LITTLE ROCKY is a button | for ANTHONY ,GARILLO. He described LITTLE ROCKY, not otherwise knowfytotthe! informant, as a former shoe shine guy in the neighborhood, who cannot think or ask for himself. He addcd xf that he typifies the caliber of the newly made buttons., Ae ett SR an : | PUY CQ VES ee - 5 =. ' Docld: 32327968 Page 6
" Released , asunder the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 use 2107 Hote}. “DATE: “11-14-2017 | ° i oe . 7 NY 137-7694 } ! The informant named ‘the | following individuals as J members of the JOSEP BONANNO family: aimer - consuleri indy - consuleri es ale Joe, Ye BANES a oie, oes ROGAVERO..aka Saro, Sarutz Se Dat foo \\ XGAR S0..aka Frankie the > Bug _ i \ “ARRUSO aka Lit Sammy i TAELABONDEFEO aka M eee@ond Pf LEVEVOLA’ aka” Joe? ‘attiohd t | LORMENTO "aka — 7 COBC ne a ae | | ( = — wee LE CRANELLO aka sol1yxfurns~ —s, SENZANO: aka Little Moe... ; a ALA alke er = | \ithe informant deseribea the following individuals as "anamats", who kill for the sake of killing: ANTHONY LISI | | ANTHONY,.PRESENZ ANO | | WILLIEAC ICCONE...., ROSARIO. MOGAVERO aes * “phe informant advised that the following belong to the THOMAS LUC os family: _BHOMASS}TEES, ~ JOSE FS AQNSZ-WWBS4 2 . ee The _ Docla: 32327966 Page 7
“Released-under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1997 (44 usc 2107 Hote). DATE » “11-14-2017 .¢ } e - NY 137-7694 . | | | | The infortiant named the following individuals as me, | being members of the CARLO GAMBINO family: “ . MMPS... Little Petey ALOT aka ‘Buster —— .““The informant named the following as members of the  “° Commission from the area indicated: } “Miami - South Flor ge Tampa - NorthF-. loric ga. New Orleans Gr. Fort Worth - Dallas Los Angeles San Francisco Detroit. Chicago clévVeland ts Buffalo he Albany : SE PE , ‘Boston | | /?) BES DAPA ‘BOVE New York JOSEPH BONANNO | THOMAS LUCHESE - JOSEPH PROFACTI CARLO GAMBINO. © According to the informaht, no one is allowed to build a family within a family. He stated ‘that the LARRY GALLO - JOSEPH PROFACI fight today is a violagion. When the fight \ began, GALLO was believed to have about 30 button men aligned _ With him, while PROFACI was estimated to have less than 60 — button men. Each of the ‘button men would have 3 or 4 . hangers-on with them. PROFACI was known to have the smallest "family" in New York at that time, and the "books", meaning membership, are believed to have “been closed. ‘The informant advised that FRANK COSTELLO has been ordered back by the Commission in the capacity of an advisor with no power. He added that COSTELLO. wants no part of this but must nic! with the orders which eminated as a result oe the GALLO - PROFACL feud ae | © Aye: ABR ~S ya DocId: 32327966 Page 6
" Released under the donn F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 Use 2107 Hate) y DATE» 11-14-2017 NY 137-7694 The informant stated that although JOSEPH SCHIPANT is a button man; he doubts that SCHIPANI is a caporegima. He added he did not know with whom SCHIPANI is connected or to whom he answers, - The informant advised that JIMMY THE BARBER, not otherwise known to the informant, is a button man who did answer to. ANTHONY BONASERA. His girl friend resides in a third floor apartment over a grocery store down from 51 President Street, Brookly, New York. The informant believes he may now answer to JOHN ODDO. A TOMMY GATES is a flunky for JIMMY THE BARBER, - The informant stated TOMMY FARULA is not a button man, nor is ANTHONY ANASTASIA, He added that CARLO GASIBINO — does back ANASTASIA. GAMBINO took over the ALBERT ANASTASTA family when ALBERT was murdered. The informant advised that ED LANZERI (ph) is a button in the VITO GENOVESE family. LANZERI operates on Pier 7, Bush Terminal, anghangs out around 72nd Street and 17th Avenue, Brooklyn, New York. ; The informant advised that the following individuals were members of the organized criminal element in Baltimore, Maryland, and were also individuals of stature in the organization: 2 a SPIRE _ \ The above was furnished the Baltimore Division for its information. AWAR- NESS Le _ 7 o . * oo. | ‘ _ oe __. pee oe -- Ao Docld: 32327968 Page 93
“Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Re Records Collection Het of 1999 (44 USC 3107 Hote;. DATE: .41-14-2017 a1 @ Ba . i NY 137-7694 The informant advised that BUC MSKCHAGALUPE (ph), who operates a restaurant across from-SHcW?a: : in Trenton, New Jersey, is the center of ,animosity in that — ) area among his fellow members of the organized criminal element. ' The reason for this ill feeling is not /known to the informany. ; He added that the word in the underwoyid is that JOSEPH PROPACT , # wants BUCKY killed, but that { CHARLESAEO : ed on 7 Charley the... Blade, had interd’ Ww The informant stated CHARLES TOURINE is a button,  gropably with a New Jersey crew. According to the informant, BUCKY has threatened thc underworld with exposure in a letter left with his wife in the event anything happens to him. ‘i The informant further advised that an active button \ man in the Trenton, New Jersey area was MIKE TRAMONTANA (ph) aka Daylight. f He adivsed also that MICKEY D@DGE is a rapidly rising’ button in Paterson, New Jersey. He described him as a very tough | guy who uses cologne profusely and dresses like a fag. The above was furnished tho. Newark Division for its information. ; AES | ANGVNY : —~-- = - ee Hann ee Doclda: 32327965 Page 10