FD-36 (Rev. 10-29-63) * we \ Naas a ra ( 1/15/65 | | I | | | | | Date: | | Transmit the following in | ; , (Type in plain text or code) | \ ATRTEL AIR MAIL - REGISTERED | | (Priority) . TO: Director, FBI FROM: SAC, Los Angeles (92-1112) } RE: LA COSA NOSTRA . Jie ANTI-RACKETEERING - : CONSPIRACY Oh Re Los Angeles radiogram to Bureau and New York dated 1/13/65. On 1/13/65 LA 4448-C-TE furnished the following information: ; On the night of 1/12/65 informant was visiting with NICK LICATA, “Under-Boss" of the Los Angeles "Brugad" ‘of La Cosa Nostra. Part of their discussion related to the intensified investigation by local, and in particular, Federal investigative agencies into the activities of La Cosa Nostra and its ~ leaders. In this connection, jLICATA told informant, "Our f, Thing will never be destroyed" He expressed confidence in the ability of the organization to resist infiltration and discussed certain reprisals taken against "members" and eriemies: in past years. San Diego (Encl. 8) San Francisco (Enc.10) (REGISTERED ) Seattle (Encl. 4) (RM) Los Angeles Nh. (3 Bureau (REGISTERED) “2 =. Chicago (Encl. 4) (REGISTERED ) 2 5 Cleveland (Encl. 4) (REGISTERED) “Dallas Enel. i) taecremansn | mp mm ' zeDenver Encl. 4) (REGISTERED Detroit (Encl. 4) (REGISTERED )¢ - Kansas City (Encl. 4)(REGIST Gay Las Vegas (Encl. By REGISTERED 0 (35) — - New York (Encl...  EGISTERED GL 254 SP - Phoenix (Encl. i) (geezemene) re - Portland (Encl. 4) (REGISTERED) ” " - Pittsburgh,.. % tenet. H (aso rismae - Selt Lake City :(Encl. 4) (REGISTERED ie rmrrr~pnrmprwmonynp i s a a ey ‘ —— Sent fo? Agent in Charge Docld:32576377FT Page 1
LA 92-1112 LICATA then told informant that in addition to the larger better-known "Brugads" of the Fast and Mid-West, (New York and Chicago in particular), that the "organization" had smaller "Brugads" -- about whom little was known or | discussed -- located at various places throughout the country. ( As an illustration, LICATAmentioned "our group" . in San Francisco and “our group"in San Jose, California. He then identified the "Boss" of the San Francisco group as JAMES LANZA and ‘the "Boss" of the San Jose group as JOE CERRITO. LICATA also spoke of another such group as "our group" in Texas. He did not elaborate further, but the inference drawn by informant was that other such small groups were located elsewhere, and their existence was not a matter of general knowledge to all "members" of other "Brugads". In connection with the San Francisco and San Jose groups, informant advised that he had little contact with these groups, but had always presumed that they were part of one "Brugad" with the other group operating as a "Caporegima" under one "Boss" whom informant had thought was JOSEPH CERRITO. He noted that this might still be the case and LICATA was actually identifying the-man in charge "on the spot" -- r as JOSEPH ADAMO might be referred to as the "Boss" of the San Diego group, although he is actually a "Capo" under the Los Angeles "Boss". LICATA then referred again to the "Commissione" as the ruling authority of the “organization"and New York City as its “headquarters”. -.He pointed out that since the publicity of the Apalachin Meeting, that such large meetings no longer occur and leaders of these smaller eroups now, generally, do not have direct contact with the "Commissione", In this connection, he mentioned that FRANK DESIMONE "Boss" of the Los Angeles "Brugad" represented the smaller Western "Brugads" before the "Commissione" on those occasions when a Western U. S. representative was necessary. After such meetings, according to LICATA, it was the responsibility of DESIMONE to relay the instructions of the "Commissione" to the "Bosses" of other Western "Brugads". ' Docld:32576377T Page 2?
LA 92-1112 LICATA did not further identify such groups. He did mention that DESIMONE had numerous expenses in connection with these trips. He also mentioned that DESIMONE had to go "out east" at least a half dozen times last year and after such cess he had to relay instructions to certain other "Bosses" Again, LICATA did not further identify such contacts “except to mention that DESIMONE had among other contacts, relayed some "Commissione” instructions to "the Boss in Texas", on at least one occasion last year (This may possibly be JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO of the Dallas, Texas area, known at least on occasion in the past, to have been in contact with the Los Angeles "Brugada" LICATA then told informant in strict confidence -- requesting informant not to discuss this with any other "member" of the "Brugad" -- that DESIMONE had to be in New York on 1/25/65 to attend a meeting of the "Commissione" LICATA did not state that he knew the purpose of this meeting, but speculated that it possibly would relate to the appointment of a new "Boss" for the JOE BONANNO "Brugad" and, perhaps, re-recognition of this "Brugad" by all the other "Brugads" in La Cosa Nostra. He did indicate, however, that after this meeting, | it would again be necessary for DE iS TMONE to contact other "Bosses" to relay "Commissione" instructions. For the information of the-listed offices, FRANK DESIMONE, FBI # 770 726C, an attorney , succeeded the late JACK DRAGNA (deceased in 1956) as "Boss" of the Los Angeles "Brugad" of La Cosa Nostra. DESIMONE was an attendee at the Apalachin Meeting in November, 1957. For a number of months, DESIMONE has not resided in the Los Angeles drea and his whereabouts are known-only to his very closest associates. DESIMONE restricts direct contact between himself and "members" of the Los Angeles "Brugad" to matters of special urgency only. The only individual known to have regular contact with him is "Under-Boss" NICOLO LICATA. It is LIVATA who relays the instructions and orders i of DESIMONE to the individual "members" of the "Brugada". ~ LICATA has not confided to other "members" as to the Docld:32576377T Page 3
LA 92-1112 whereabouts of DESIMONE or where they meet. Recent investigation has determined that DESIMONE is presently residing at 517 Tyron Street, El Cajon, : California. This home and all utilities are listed in the name of an associate, PETE MONTANA. DESIMONE, has apparently kept his residence here a well-guarded secret. This information has been handled in a most discreet manner by the San Diego and Los Angeles Offices. Following is a description of DESIMONE: Name FRANK DESIMONE Sex - Male Race White Nationality American Date of birth 7/17/09 Place of birth. Pueblo, Colorado Height 5'11" f Weight 190 pounds Hair Brown Eyes Brown - Marital status Single FBI # . 770 726 C Automobile 1960 White Cadillac, Coupe De Ville, California - license QXE 608 Occupation Attorney Characteristics - Wears thick lensed dark glasses; reportedly blind or nearly blind in right eye. Residence 7838 Adoree, Downey, California RECOMMENDATION Reference is made to information outlined above indicating that DESIMONE represents other "Brugads” in the Western United States at certain "Commissione” ee vines and that he then relays instructions to other nsses' Reference is also made to certain remarks made by RICK I LICATA to informant (supra) indicating the existence ~y. | Docld:32576377T Page 4