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: 322787015 Page 1 Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 19927 (44 USC 2107 Hote}. JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information FBI 124-10196-10291 HQ 62-9-9-1363 Document Information FBI SAC, JK DIRECTOR, FBI 09/04/1963 9 CIP, GAMBLING, ACT, BKG, JOHNSTON, WILLIAM JR., NEWSARTICLE, OPINION PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Unclassified 4 Redact 11/17/1998 INDEFINITE INC 2 NEWS ARTICLE Date: 4/24/201
ri . DATE: 11-14-2017 JK 66-208 ~ hs * During this same period of time, the "Jacksonville - Journal" ran. an article concerning JOHNSTON's testimony before the Kefauver Committee which conveyed the impression that he had been associated with the hoodlum element and that he had been linked with them. JOHNSTON in interview with Bureau Agents advised that he went to the newspaper and threatened to sue them for slander if a general . retraction of this article was not printed. At that time ii. JOHNSTON stated, "I am not and have never been connected ‘ > din any way with the CAPONE mob or any other mob." - During our investigations in the Criminal Intelli- gence Field, no information has been received which would in- "» dicate that WILLIAM H. JOHNSTON, SR., is in touch with local -hoodlums, nor has thete previously been any information re- ceived from any other division indicating association or 7 contact with hoodlum elements. However, HAROLD COHN, owner , ) of Radio Station WRHC, an established source of the Jack- sonville Division, has been contacted. He advises that he has known JOHNSTON for about thirty years and considers '. JOHNSTON a close friend. He confidentially furnished the -; following information: ~ Twenty-five to thirty years ago JOHNSTON was sent > - to Jacksonville from Chicago, Illinois, by one EDDIE O'HARE, “a Chicago hoodlum, to manage the Jacksonville Kennel Club. -- O'HARE financed the venture and JOHNSTON received a nominal salary. Part of JOHNSTON's job involved public relations De and at that time COHN was managing editor of the "Jacksonville .,. Journal." About fifteen years ago, one of AL CAPONE's henchmen, name unknown, allegedly tried to "muscle in" on O'HARE's opera- ~ tions and as O'HARE was in no position to refuse, O'HARE 's holdings were partly given to some of CAPONE's henchmen, names > unknown. O*Hare trusted JOHNSTON and named him beneficiary of some of his business interests which included the Jackson- ville dog track. About twelve years ago, O'HARE had his head blown off in a gangland-style murder and it became necessary “' “foxy JOHNSTON to negotiate with the Chicago hoodlums in order. to buy out their interest in the Jacksonville Kennel Club. JOHNSTON reportedly was successful in this and controls the club without any interference from the Chicago element. JOHNSTON is not believed to have had contact with the hoodlums since that time although he undoubtedly knows many of them and. | Docld: 3227687015 Page 2?