JFK Assassination System . Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: FBI RECORD NUMBER: = :124-10198-10112 RECORD SERIES: HQ ’ ° AGENCY FILENUMBER: = 92-3171-1887 Document Information ORIGINATOR: — FBI FROM: DIRECTOR, FBI TO: TITLE: DATE: 09/06/1966 ‘PAGES: 40 SUBJECTS : SGI, ADVICE, ACT, ASSOC, OC DOCUMENT TYPE : PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION * Unclassified RESTRICTIONS: Consulted; 4; 10(a)2; 11(a) CURRENT STATUS: Redact . DATE OF LASTREVIEW: 01/06/1999 OPENING CRITERIA: APPROVAL OF IRS, RCMP, INDEFINITE COMMENTS: REFERRED TO RCMP v9.1 WW 45792 Docld: 32287836 156 Page i Date: 5/7/2015
During the investigation of the criminal ‘influence in tb International Hod Carriers, Building and Common Laborers Union, #1, 3942 West Madison St., Chicago, Ill. (92-7325), a review of the Chicago. PD files showed that Joseph Aiello and James Caporale attended the wake of Sam Giancana's wife in June, 1955.’ .CG.6443-C, on 9/9/51, reported that Caporale was reportedly taking orders from Charles Nicolletti as well as from Gianeana. /y) It was noted that Nicolletti was one of Giancana's top ranking . lieutenants in the Chicago criminal hierarchy, while Caporale and Aiello were Financial. Secretary and Vice-President Business Agent re- spectively « of ‘the above local. (uw) ° \ ay - .) OB-7325-1 | (234 CG . 656l- PC (137-8306) furnished information regarding ‘several top ranking boxers and criminal influence in the boxing game. cq’ 6564-PC stated that he was one of Sonny Liston's managers after Liston's re- lease from prison in 1957 and in order to get aid in recovering loans . made and his piece of Liston's contract, he appealed to Samuel Giancana. After he told his story to Giancana, he promised help but the re- sults of that contact was unproductive. (oJ °137-8306-4 - ~ 4 (7+ Joseph Woods, Chief Investigator for the Better Government Association, Chicago, advised that in 1960, the. International Paper Company (victim, 92-7190) built a large plant in’ Northlake, Ill. and | in order to finish construction, the company was forced to make a . $16,000 pa aa ") Recco Pranno, Wayne Seidler and Henry Neri (subjects Lo: of 92-7190 . a ; . It was ) es that Pranno was a hoodlum and muscle man in DuPage and Kane Counties, Ill. and was associated with Sam Giancana.(y 92-7190-2 (23+ . CG 6479-C advised that Vincent Joseph Inserro (92-7366) was ~ close to Fiore "Fifi" Buccieri, a lieutenant of Sam -"Mooney" Giancana, - and frequently vis ad the. . Dream Bar in Cicero, T1l., believed to be owned by Giancana. us : , | | | { \ | ! | ~ (continued) ws MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 2
ry, Cok (continued) — ue. Crane | The "Chicago Tribune" on 10/19/51 and 9/5/54, the 'chiéagd 1 | American" on 3/22/58 and the "Daily News" on 3/29/60, carried articles which connected Inserro and Giancana in criminal activities. () A review of the Intelligence Unit Files, Chicago PD, showed that in 1960, Giancana was allegedly a close friend of Inserro.[} 92-7 366-1 p.24, 30, 32, 35, 38 (23530 | . Oh 11/11/60, CG 6379-C advised that the gambling operation located on the second floor of Gus' Steak House, 4817 Rdosevelt Road, Chicago, Ill., was owned and operated by Sam Giancana, but was run by Sam's brother, Joseph "Pepe" Giancana. (y) , 162-786-3 p.84 (not indexed) Detective Lee Gerhke, Intelligence Unit, Chicago PD; advised that among the automobiles noted. at the residence of Samuel Giancana during the early part of January, 1961, was one belonging to Sam Cesario | (92-8977). : The "Chicago Daily News" on 3/20/61, carried an article which stated that Sam Giancana, Cesario and a crowd of Chicago hoodlums attended the funeral of Joseph Mendino of Lake Forest, T1l. /Y) 7 92-8977-1 . ! (7724) . — | PG 694-PC (137-9541) advised that Joe Merola, Mike Swiatek and Pat Schang committed the armed robbery of Fritz and Edith Dorigo,: proprietors of the Hofbrau. Haus Restaurant in Hallandale, Fla. ’'on 3/21/61. He advised that a large quantity of the jewelry taken in the | robbery was sold to Mooney (Sam) Giancana, who allegedly gave one of the large diamond rings to Phyllis McGuire of the McGuire Sisters Trio./¢) 137-9541-13 ; _ (253307 | an MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 3
Gerald Francis O'Hare advised that he was part owner wi John Drew of the Coach and Four Restaurant in Las Vegas, Nev. O'Har advised that he looked after the bar and business end, while Joseph Dan Pignatello (92-5811) ran the food part of the restaurant and took care of Drew's interest. O'Hare adviséd he had met Samuel Giancana on one occasion in the lounge of the Desert Inn Hotel, Las Vegas but Sit saa not know if Pignatello was in contact with Giancana. ((/) Nevo Nicholas Cecola advised he had known Giancana for many, years and had met- him in 1961 when Giancana was in the Las Vegas area {U) RO LV 48-c* advised that Giancana and Phyllis McGuire lived to- gether in a residence near Las Vegas during the Summer of 1961, when. the McGuire sisters were appearing at the Desert Inn Hotel. (v) , 9e- 5811- -23 . . (not indexed) ~ On “No/61, perl ——“‘s*™C™C™C~CCd (prctinctt identity) ad- vised that Maria Caron, a showgirl at various night clubs in Chicago had told him that "Mooney, the Big Man’ interest in her and had spoken to her on several occasions. ee hovises he would maintain her friendship and attempt to develop information regarding hoodlum activities especially those of Sam Glancana./y) | | perl ]further advised that Lionel Ives (165-1355) was a partner with Leon Marcus at..the Southmoor Bank and. Trust Company . at the time Marcus was killed by mistake after some of Sam, Giancana' s men had: picked Marcus up and attempted n $10,000 from Marcus without the sanction of Gianeana. PCI “stated it was Ives' theory that Marcus threatened to tell Giancana about the- Aneldent . and the men . panicked and killed Marcus. (Y) Sy 4 165-1355-1 ans (257 JFK Act 6 (4) s AUSA Howard W. Hilgendorf furnished a notebook taken from Sam DeStefano (92- 7456) when DeStefano was arrested in 1946. Noted in this notebook was "Mooney, Col. 6422," /4 7 On 8/24/60; DeStefano advised Bureau Special Agents that he. was a good friend of Sam Giancana, having grown up with Giancana in Jd Chicago. He stated he had not been close to Giancana for several years,  .:. although he saw him from time to time at wakes and other gatherings. (u} (continued) | aa MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 4
~ a ; a | Oe a . SEK Act 6 (4)°> ~ | Cc; eta (continued) Zn August 1961, rot ee} protect identity) agviser that "Mooney" was a known alias or Glancana y) | 7 In 1961, CG 6343-c* advised that Samuel. DeStefano was not a member of the organization-controlled by. Giancana and did not operate under the’ supervision ef Giancana or any lieutenant of Giancana. ) ¥ 92-7456-3 p.14,16 (237 | The Las Vegas Office réceived information (source not given) that John Frank Drew was.closely associated with Anthony Accardo and Samuel M. Glaneana, reported criminal leaders in the Chicago area. (2) on 11/8/61, Drew appeared before the Gaming Control Board, Carson City, Nev. to answer certain questions regarding his past aoti-- vities in Chicago. The Gaming Control Board made reference to an art- icle which appeared in the "Chicago Daily Tribune" on 9/25/61, captioned "Crap Game Floats Into A Picnic Grove." The article stated that Tony . Accardo,. Sam Giancana, Rocco  ischetti, Gus Alex, Les Kruse, Johnny | Drew and Frank LaPorte were "members of the bank" of the "big. game. Drew, while under oath stated he never banked any game for anyone ise, but admitted knowing the. above individuals. 1D : ; It was noted that Drew was Executive Vice President and Casino | Manager , Stardust Hotel Gasino, Las Vegas, Nev. /y) _* ; .166- 672-163 p.4,5 (Aye6y te , SI 92-7677-1 encl, p. 3,5 ° (3) On 1/19/62, LV 36-C advised that Tommy Abdo (165- 1385) was a regular player in high-stake poker games in the Stardust Hotel Card Room in Las Vegas, Nev. According to LV 36-C, Abdo played with such players. as John Drew, President of the Stardust Hotel and representative of ; | Samuel Giancana, Cosa Nostra Boss of Chicago ./\) 165-1385-1 , (TF | | od CG 6486-c* advised that during the early morning hours of 2/8/62, Sam Giancana held a lengthy discussion with one “Potsy! believed identical with Potsy Pearl (165- 1914) WU) : a (continued) — a ~ eee -- ° ° a MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 5
ferred in the Poodle Room of the Fontainebleau Hotel AE. In May 1965, Mandel Skar (92- 6140) advised that Dominic — Senese, brother-in-law of Anthony Accardo, had threatened to kill Skar in April 1963 if an alleged debt was not paid to Senese's partner, Vie. . Conforti. Skar utilized his wife, Bea Skar, an intimate friend. of’ Sam. Giancanna, to intercede with Giancana. Skar claimed the intercession, d was successful and he had received no additional threats. (v) 92-6140-23 —_ (207 . The Chicago Office advised that Sam "Mooney" Giancana was the head of organized crime in the Chicago area and as such was forced -to make extensive trips outside Chicago. During, these trips, Dominic Joseph Blasi (92-6681), was designated as the person to be contacted for “messages of importance. (Vv A review of the toll calls listed to the telephone. of Phyllis MeGuire, 5e5 Park Ave., New York City (February through April, 1963) showed several calls to the résidence of Dominic Blasi in Chicago. . The telephone numbers used by McGuire were those known to have been given out by Giancana to close associates. /( 92-6681-5 (225297 - 166-865-1 °° (75307 | MM 509~C advised that Ben Novack (92-8350) was close to such members of the hoodlum element as Sam Giancana and had invested "racket" money in the Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami, Beach, Bla. /v) | uo MM 730-PC advised that. on 6/28/61, Giancana and Novack con= ae According to MM 730-PC, on 6/30/62, Max Eder, Novack and Giancana were observed in various parts of the Fontainbleau. CY) , (continued) MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 6 ny | ae Oo ee)
SS ae - 7 = a C | . a , | ion (continued) , ; . . xy =“. Maurio Floriani, Captain, Atlantic City PD (protect “identity> advised that. Glancana and Novack were among the guests of Frank Sinatra at the Claridge Hotel, Atlantic City, N.J., on 8/24/62. (U _ MM 962-C advised that Eder operated the gambling in the card room at the Fontainebleau Hotel /()) _ On 6/21/63, William S. Kenny, SAAG at Miami, Fla., advised .that Giancana, Eder, Novack. ‘and Marion Sibley, attorney. for the above hotel held a conference after the IRS attempted to a) a books regarding the financial operations of the Fontainbleau. (U/ : -Biographical data and criminal record of Giancana set, out.(v) g2-8350-2 © (2454e7 ! ; ‘This reference is made up of three letters which concerned | Le the altercation which occurred in the Cal-Neva Lodge on 7/28/63 in . Spe which Victor LaCraix Collins and Sam Giancana were involved. (4, ‘In the first piece of correspondence, dated 2/27/64, addressed to the Commissioner, RCMP at Ottawa, Canada, the Illinois Crime Invest- igating Commission asked that Collins be interviewed if he was still ‘Gress. K Canada, and if he was in the US, to be advised of his adz- “dress, ©) . | | oo The second letter, dated 3/10/64, addressed to the Executive ~ birector of the Illinois Crime Investigating Commission from the RCMP, acknowledged the communication of 2/27/64 and set out information fur- nished in an interview of Collins by the State of Nevada Gaming Control Board on 8/10/63. Collins at that time advised he had been employed :as y Nia with Giancana who | road manager. by the McGuire Sisters and ha was keeping company with Phyllis McGuire. (/ a A third letter, dated 3/10/64, addressed to the RCMP Liaison Officer, Washington, DC, advised of the above re dLan hoa goa ebondenca j\ and stated that it had been answered by the Canadian headquarters. 62-108603-13. oo (153 287 oan -12- MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 7
| This reference in the file captioned "Cal -Neva Lodge," Crystal Bays Nev. (92- 6259)" sets out detailed information. raga, ; area, (y In late July 1963, Giancana, visited Phyllis Mecuire, youngest member of the singing stars known as "The McGuire Sisters" during their appearance at the Cal-Neva Lodge and while there became involved in a fight with the manager of the McGuire Sisters, Victor Collins. '- Employees of the Avis U-Drive Company in Reno, Nev. furnished information regard- ing Sam Giancana's use of rented automobiles during July, 1963 in that area. ca. [W) \ 4  92-6259-15 (35217 The following references in the file captioned "Frank Sinatra" poo (92- 6667) set out information regarding his association with Sam / oe Giancana. In 1959, Giancana attended a party at the Claridge Hotel, ‘ Atlantic City, N.J., hosted by Sinatra, and in 1963, Sinatra and ‘the Cal-Neva Lodge, Lake Tahoe, Nev. received wide spread publicity as a result of a fet caused by the presence of Gilancana and Phyllis McGuire at the Lodge. { ; oo , REFERENCE - SEARCH SLIP PAGE NUMBER . 92-6667-1X ne - _ | -2 and encl. - TY. | | | -4 not tngexed } - - -6 not indexed): ; -7 22}; ; - On 6/5/63, CG 6512-C-TE advised that Fioravante Buccieri (92-6156) ong Chuck English were lieutenants for Sam "Mooney" Giancana. (y) On 8/21/63, the above informant advised that based upon com- ments made by Chicago hoodlums, Giancana would have to step down as head. of the "outfit" and either Buccieri or Sam Battaglia would replace him, -(U) | | g2- -6156- 4a (20+  . SI to par-1 ‘| 51- ~495~- -7 p.188 (Intelligence Division, - Chicago PD) | (9+ | -13- - en MW 45792 Docld: 32287336 Page 6