ISSUE III...page 2 , true, then the information per se andthe underlying circumstances relating to that information are relevant (1) Jack Ruby's true state of mind and feelings concerning the Kennedys, and | | (2) the credibility of Haler as his testimony relates ' | to the time he last had contact with Ruby and the. nature and extent of those contacts. B. °.. Previous Statement (1) November 30, 1963; JFK exhibit #81 | "| $/& Nolan and S/S Spaman ~Haler's statement makes no mention of Jack Ruby's feelings toward the Kennedys and the only reference to Ruby's state of mind is the following: “Hall (Haler) advised that it. was his opinion from his contacts and knowledge of Ruby that Ruby had . tN . | : a some strong motivation for his shooting of Lee | Harvey Oswald and that the only motivation that he, Hall, could contribute to Ruby was money or the fear that Oswald possibly might involve Ruby in the assassination of the President of the | U:S. He admitted this was pure speculation on his © part and made the offer that -he would be willing HW 54756 DBocld:322767344 Page 5
HW 54756 ISSUE III... page 3 to goto. Dallas, Texas and meet Ruby and he. - was sure that from such a meeting that he could learn from Ruby what motivated him to shoot and kill Oswald." (2) JFK exhibit 82 -~ U.S.S.S. Report re 11/30/63 interview; p. 3. "He > (Hall) said he could not conceive of Ruby doing anything out of patriotism.’ "..-he stated that he was close enough to Ruby... that...he could persuade him to tell the whole story. C. Testimony at 3/16/78 hearing: (1) (2), states and he was the first catholic elected... (3) Docld: 32267344 p.- 60 - J.R. loved the Kennedy family;"...absolutely | adored them." (ps 61 61 - JFK "...was the President of the United Bs 24 24 - "...the most fanatical person Ir ever seen | about the Kennedys. --. We nearly came to blows. He loved the Kennedys’ so much. If you said anything about them he would want to fight you. " Pp age 6
HW 54756 ISSUE IIf.. -page 4. Did Haler tell Jack Ruby about his antipathy for RFK? | | | A. Previous Statements - FBI and U.S.S.S. reports: no’ reference. B. 3/16/78 hearing DocId: 327276 on p- 24 - Ruby started to fight when Hall said negative things about R.P.K.7 Haler: “But I think I kind of convinced him, so he ‘didn’ t —— do it." 2. .p. 62 - Haler> "sure" Ruby knew of his antipathy for R.F.K. 3. p. 62 Around time of inauguration. 4. p. 62 "...could have had to do when he . was running against the fellow from Tennessee. | ..-when he lost out as vice president." 5. p. 74 - Haler's dislike was generated by RFK's activities as Attorney General; ‘p. 75 -- not because of the Hoffa ‘probe, Or, Pp. 76 — because of Ruby or teamsters. 7344) Page 7
_ ISSUE III...page HW 54756 Docld: 32267344 10. “p. 83 ~ Haler's dislike began around time he, was indicted. p. 88 - Haler "...got ina very terrible | . squabble with him on the Marilyn Monroe ‘issue, . if I have to bring it. up vee because I was friendly with Joe DiMaggio at the time." . p. 88 - ‘Called RFK from Mexico City "sea week | or two..." before Haler' s Federal indictment, — in 1962. ip. 90 - Haler broke with RFK earlier than the phone call from Mexico, when he "knew" RFK. ",..wouldn't go to bat..." for him on that. indictment. p- 93 - Haler then says his break with REK aa - started before that, when he"...went to him = and asked him if he would consider someone — “for a Federal judgeship..." pees after his brother was. elected..." when he thought RFK"...was (p. 94) going to be Attorney General." Page 6
TABLE OF CONTENTS —~@ Procedural Memorandum on Committee Meeting, March 16, 1978 ¥, Biography of Harry Hall Goal #1. To determine Hall's involvement in and knowledge of illegal activities. Goal #2 To determine Hall's involvement: with and know-_ ledge of Organized Crime. Goal #3 To determine whether Harry Hall had knowledge of — Jack Ruby's involvement with Organized Crime, or obtained knowledge of Jack Ruby's shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald. Exhibits ‘l. FBI interview of. Harry Hall, ‘dated November ~ 30, 1963. “2. Secret Service interview of Harry Hall, dated November 30, 1963... : a) 3. FBI report regarding an incident between Jack Ruby and Vincent Lee, Branch Manager, American Guild of Variety Artists. Chronology ~- Antonio de Varona | Goal #1 © Background Goal #1 | To determine Antonio de Varona's role in the activities of Central Intelligence Agency-sponsored ‘and privately funded anti-Castro Cuban groups, “including all assassination attempts. Goal #2 .. | Background . TO. determiné’de ‘varona's” ‘role, “ins the ‘CIA/Mafia: Castro. assassination‘ ‘plots. and:-to. determine > de... Varona's.. relationship, to- and. ‘involvement with’ ‘organized: oxime figures — ’ HW. 54756° DocId:32267344. Page
PROCEDURE KENNEDY SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS 1. The Chairman ‘Should recognize Elizabeth Berning, — Clerk of the Committee, to read for the record those Members _ who are officially designated to be on the, Subcommittee today, pursuant to Comhittee Rule 12.3. Qe The hearing should go into Executive Session. There should be a motion: that today's hearing and one subsequent day e ' | of hearing be held in Executive ‘Session | since on the basis of information obtained by the Committee, the Committee believes the ; ao evidence or testimony may tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate people, and consequently Section 2(K) ~° (5) of Rule 11 of the Rules of the House ‘and Committee Rule 3. 3 (5), require such hearings be in Executive Session. Whexe must be three ‘Members present to vote ‘on this motion. A . rollcall vote Should be taken. othe Chairman. should. peetthe CNW 54756 DocIa:32967344- Page 10°
state that the witness is appearing pursuant to subpoena. A; The Chairman should give a brief statement con- — oo cerning the subject of the investigation. He should state that House “Resolution 222 mandates the Committee "to conduct a full and complete investigation | and study.of the circumstances surrounding the assassination and death of President John F. Kennedy including determining whether the existing laws of the United States concerning the protection of the | President and the investigatory jurisdict -ion and capability of agencies and departments are adequate in their provisions ‘and enforcement, and whether there was full disclosure of evidence and information among agencies and departments of the United States Government, and whether any evidence or information ~ “not in the possession of an agency or department would have been of assist tance in inves stigating the assas— sination, and why such information was not provided.” Or collected by. that, agency ‘or departiient, an : "and to: make recommendations to’ the Hous Select. Cominittee deems “it, appropriate: for: the amendment, MW 54756 Docld!32267344 Page i1
of existing legislation or the enactment of new legislation. | | 5. . The questioning of the witness may now: proceed. . | | _ Pifth Amendment | 6. . - If the witness takes the Fifth Amendment to a question, and the Committee desires to immunize the @ witness, the Chairman should give the witness a copy of Judge Bryant's order immunizing the witness and compelling testimony from him. whe witness ‘should now be directed to answer the question that was propounded. If the Witness Continues to Object: oy 7. Pursuant to Committee Rule 3.5, any objection of the witness or witness' counsel must be specifically ruleag upon by the Chairman. Should the witness object - on the grounds of pertinency, he should be given a brief -explanation of the pertinency of the question and then--%s  % ““be-directed to answer it. ¢ “HW 54756 DocTd:32267344 Page 12
‘8. At the conclusion of the questioning of the | witness, pursuant . to Rule 3. 6 of the Committee, the | ‘Chairman should of fer the witness and/or his counsel i | five minutes to explain or amplify the witness' testimony. 9. The witness should be informed that he is | under the continuing subpoena of the committee, and subject to the call of the Chair at a future date. HW 54756 DocId:32267344 Page 13°
TEAM #2, Issue A, #7 a and b . BIOGRAPHY Harry Hall AKA Harry Helfgot - Harry Halfgott- Harry Hunt -Harry Mills Sidney Brin Harry Sinclair, Jr. Ed Pauley, Jr. , Harry Hall, a reputed confidence man and gambler, has an extensive arrest record dating from 1942. Hall's arrests range from gambling, grand theft robbery, forgery, and conspiracy to commit robbery and forgery. During 1950, Hall became a paid informant, providing @ information at various: times to the IRS, Department of Justice, FBI, Secret Service, Department of Treasury Intelligence Division, and Los Angeles Police Department Intelligence Division. Hall provided information to the Secret Service which resulted in the seizure of a counterfeiting plant. Infor- mation provided to IRS Intelligence resulted in several indict- ments for. income tax evasion. ‘Hall attempted to further his own schemes: as a con- fidence man through his association with the various law en- forcement agencies. On occasion when Hall met known criminals under Federal investigation, he would allude to alleged impor- tant contacts’ with Federal’ agencies” “and ‘could ‘obtain. informa “tion. chat would benefit their cases. “Through these confidence sy ‘Hall became acquainted with known organized | crime “ww figuires and associates of organized ‘crime figures. CNW. 54756 Docld:32267344 Page 14.
‘Hall Biography - page 2 During 1952, Hall was in Dallas (using the name Harry Sinclair, Jr.) looking for high stake gambling games and to place bets on football games or horse races. Hall's uncle, Marty Fields (alias Marty Schwartz), introduced Hall to Jack ‘Ruby. At that time Ruby ran a small, cheap bar and nightclub in Dallas. Hall's method of operation at that time was to use the name of a well- known person and ingratiate himself with | persons with money. On occasion, Ruby provided Hall with a bankroll and introduced him to likely victims. Ruby got forty percent of any deal and Hall took sixty percent. Ruby's cut was for his influence with the Dallas Police Department. During the course of their relationship, Hall and Ruby obtained large. sums of money from wealthy oilmen,. including H. L. Hunt , Dick Andrade and gamblers in the Dallas area. Their activities extended beyond the Dallas: area including Montreal, Shreveport, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Oklahoma City. The following identification of Harry. Hall was ob- tained from an FBI report: Date of Birth: January 3 or 13, 1919 Place of Birth: Chicago, Illinois Sex: Male Race: White Height: 5'1i" Weight: 205° pounds Hair: Brown —_ me (Eyes: Brown, , gee Ue . Complexion: “Paintly pock- marked ; -cheeks stocky. “Gait: Walks with a. Limp Aas. deformed right oo ae ankle. ae : re ; Handwriting: \ Right- -handed ae “Occupation: “Salesman .: ye , FBI, Numer: _ 2956-393 : ALS Te bots, + Social Security Number =) 58-10-2658. =: res “Los Angeles P.D. Number: .H 1118872 0-00-0080 a ee “spouse : ' Betty Hall HW 54756  Docld:32267344 Page 15°
r GOAL #1 . OBJECTIVE To determine Hall's involvement in and knowledge of illegal activities. | | Nature and extent of Hall's involvement: in illegal © activities | 1. Gambling - bookmaking setups . 2. Confidence schemes _ 3. Nonsufficient funds A. Grand theft robbery 5. Forgery UNW054756 Docld:32267344 Page 16 00 7 Be
GOAL #1 FACTUAL BACKGROUND Between 1942 and 1966, Hall was arrested on nine separate occasions on charges of Nonsufficient Funds, Gambling, Grand Theft, Robbery, Forgery, and Conspiracy to Commit Robbery. and . Forgery. On January 18, 1955, Halt was convicted of Forgery in Los Angeles and sentenced (on April 14, +1955) to 1-14 years; Hall» was paroled from the California Institution for Men at Chino ~ on April 23, 1956. On September 14, 1966, Hall was arrested as Harry Mills in Los Angeles on charges of using White House stationery and the name of Jack Valenti ina ‘scheme to sell surplus military equipment. @ 7 About February 1, 1960, Harry Hall, using the hame of Sidney Brin, was employed as an investigator by Truman K. > Gibson, Jr., an attorney from Chicago. Gibson was under indictment for Anti-Racketeering violations. In the. course of his employment, Hall prepared (or caused to: be prepared) false documents, purporting to be authored by officials of the Justice - Department, indicating the charges against Gibson would be dismissed. Hall was indicted on April 4, 1962 for False Personation of a Federal Officer, Obstruction of Justice, and Fraud by Wire. On October 1, 1962, Hall was convicted of | Obstruction: of Justice and, Fraud by wire and. sentenced to- wane PS “HW 44756 Docld:32267344 Page 17
@ GOAL II . OBJECTIVE To determine Hall's involvement with and knowledge of Organized Crime. A. Nature and extent of Hall's relationship with known Organized Crime figures and associates of known Organized Crime figures. | | l. Truman K. Gibson 2. Mike Coppola 3. George Beckley NW 54756  Docld:32267344. Page.18..0 0
@ Goal #2 - page 2 Truman K. Gibson, or. An attorney from Chicago, Tll. and a former executive of the National Boxing Enterprises, Inc. and the International Boxing Clubs of New York and Illinois. Gibson was in- dicted in Los Angeles, on September 22, 1959 with Paul John "Prankie" Corbo, Frank "Blinky" Palermo, Joseph Sica, and Louis Tom Dragna, for conspiracy to violate the Anti- Racketeering Statutes, by extorting control of the then- world's welterweight boxing champion Don Jordan from his licensed manager. All defendants were found guilty on May 30, 1961. Michael Coppola - "Trigger Mike" New York gangster. Coppola was part of the Lucky Luciano organization; he shared the leadership when Luciano was incarcerated in 1939. - George Lee Beckley Newport, Kentucky. Allegedly owns a federal wagering tax stamp. Beckley does not consider himself a bookmaker, but merely a commission man handling action from bookmakers, ‘all.over the.country. |.
Goal #2 - page 3 B. Nature and ‘extent of Hall's connections with. the Inter- national Brotherhood of Teamsters Union and individuals connected with it. | | l. Business ‘dealings with James R. Hoffa; personal rela- tionship with Hoffa. 2. Discussions and/or meetings with Paul Dorfman regard- ing offer to Hall to collect derogatory information on the Kennedy family. Knowledge of Ruby's association and/or contacts with Dorfman. | 3. . Knowledge of and relationship with Barney Baker. oo | Knowledge of Ruby's association and/or contact with @ . | Baker. | | | | ‘4. Knowledge of and relationship with Irwin Weiner. _ WW 54756, Docla?32267344- Page’20 0° 0 a a,
Goal #2 - page 4 James R. Hoffa Former President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. Hoffa disappeared in August, 1975." Paul Dorfman -A major figure in the Chicago underworld and labor unions, Dorfman allegedly introduced Hoffa to the Chicago under- world. Grew up with Jack Ruby. Robert Baker AKA "Barney" Served as Jimmy Hoffa's "roving organizer and ambassador of violence". Baker was regarded. as one of Hoffa's key @ lieutenants, particularly in dealing with ‘the Mafia. Baker called Ruby on November 7 and 8, 1963. Baker called Dave Yaras on November 21, 1963. Yaras is allegedly a top syndicate gambler with Teamster and Cuban connections. He is also considered the Miami representative to the Chicago Mob. Irwin Weiner 7345 North Damen, Chicago, Tllinois AKA "Stucky" A Teamster bondsman. During 1959 he operated American Bail Bond Company | and, was: president of. ares Summit, Pxgelity: and Surety. Company. “Weiner. served. as at “| Ruby ¢ called Weiner | (October. 26, “1963 “HW 54756. DocId:32267344 Page 21.
Goal #2 - page. 93 ® FACTUAL BACKGROUND During an FBI interview on June 14, 1961, Hall said. © he was first introduced into the circle of nationally - known individuals involved in criminal activities. by Truman | K. Gibson, — Jr. In 1960, Gibson stated in Miami that Hall ) had formerly been connected with the Internal Revenue Service and had good sources of information within the government. Hall stated he was recommended to Mike Coppola by Jim Norris to assist Coppola following his indictment for income tax-evasion. Hall met with Coppola twice in 1961. The first meeting was around Easter in New York City, to e ’ discuss the charges against Coppola. After the meeting | Hall met Marty Weiss, who he claims is Coppola's money man in New York. During May, Hall stopped at O'Hare Airport in. Chicago ana transported $7,500 in currency to Coppola in Miami from Weiss. Hall advised the FBI that Coppola told him > that if he helped in the matter, Hall. would get a good deal | involving a trip to Rome. Hall claimed the deal would in-: volve "carrying something over to talk to the "Boys', one of whom he was to attempt to arrange to get back into the United States on a legitimate basis." Coppola, introduced no ree Serge Lee Beckley a, - before ‘grand juries, ‘and whether | ‘the’ ARS: ‘was. “interestea. Linn HW -54756 - DocId:32267344 “Page “22
Goal #2 - page 6 him. Beckley arranged a $25,000 line of credit at the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, and gave Hall a telephone credit card in the name of Sidney Brin. | During an FBI interview on June 7, 1961, Hall said he set up a betting account for Beckley through Allied Meat Company, 3311 North Main, Los Angeles. Beckley thought he was getting the "lay off" (when there is an imbalance in betting, a bookmaker will distribute the unbalanced portion of the bets to even the books), but Hall was giving him straight bets. CHW 54756 -Docldr32267344°. Baye 23°00 9
@ GOAL #3 OBJECTIVE To determine whether Harry Hall had knowledge of Jack Ruby's involvement with Organized Crime, or obtained knowledge of Jack Ruby's shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald. Line of Questioning A. Nature and extent of Harry Hall's association with Jack - Ruby or Ruby~-controlled criminal activities. 1. Gambling | 2. Prostitution . 3. Narcotics @ 4, “Liquor : - B.. Determine validity of alleged swindles of Oilmen, includ- ‘ing He Le Hunt and Dick Andrade. C. Knowledge of Ruby's activities in the Dallas area, © Chicago, Las vegas, Los Angeles, Montreal, Oklahoma citys san Francisco, New Orleans, Shreveport, and Morgan City. 1. Alleged connections between Ruby and Chicago Organized Crime figures. | 2. Alleged connections between Ruby and Paul Dorfman. °3. Alleged connections between Ruby and Joe Campisi. 4, Alleged connections between Ruby and Santo ‘Trafficante an "Giancana- “Vincent® ee : potas der PRM wey, Groom . “aw sazse
® Goal #3 - page 2 4. Paul Rowland Jones 5. Lewis J. McWillie 6. Laurence Meyers 7. Norman Rothman 8. Alex Gruber 9. Ralph Paul “10. Nofio Pecora 11. . Russell D. Matthews "12. Joe Civello | 13. Carlos Marcello 14. Vincent Marcello rT 3 15. Peter Guatisco Docld: 32267344 Page 25 - <0. AW 54756
r Goal #3 - page 3 L. James Henry Dolan Dolan, who is presently incarcerated in the Federal Penitentiary in Atlanta, Georgia, became the Dallas .representative for the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) in 1957 following his release from Leavenworth Prison. Due to his background and position with the union, Dolan quickly became familiar with the local clubs © which included the Carousel owned by Jack Ruby and the | operation of the Dallas "street scene". His personal relationship with Ruby and individuals intimately in- volved in the gambling business in Dallas afforded him an opportunity to form an opinion as to Ruby's alleged involvement with Organized Crime. 2. Vincent Lee In 1953, Lee was Branch Manager of AGVA in “Dallas. On: August 11, FBI Special agent Ralph Miles was’ ("chanced to be") in the office on "official business" and witnessed a confrontation between Lee and Jack Ruby over supplying entertainment. Ruby implicitly threatened Lee with a | reference to his gun. ae. later gave. “SA. Miles. information. regarding Ruby’ sie ung joa toma ‘sue's Used ‘car tots (HSCA Exhibit | 3) “HW 54756 Dockd:32267344.°Bage-26 :--
Goal #3 - page 4 3. Dewey Groom Owner of the Longhorn Ranch Nightclub, Dallas, Texas. Groom was an associate and former employee of Jack Ruby. During an FBI interview, Ruby lists Groom as one of his closest friends. 4. Paul Rowland Jones Close associate of Jack Ruby; met through two mutual ‘friends - Paul "Needle Nose" Labriola and Jim Weinberg. 7 Jones was convicted in the late 1940's of opium smuggling and an attempt to bribe ‘Sheriff Guthrie of Dallas. 1942- ® 1946, Jones was a member of the Chicago Syndicate; moved | ‘to Dallas in 1947. Considered to be the czar of the Dallas Syndicate, which included Paul Labriola, Lipsky, and Jack Knappi, a cousin of "Jack Ketti, well-known Chicago hoodlum". Jones saw Ruby on November 12 and 13, 1963. On the 13th, Gruber was also at the meeting. 5. Lewis J. McWillie Friend and associate of Jack Ruby. In 1959, McWillie managed the Tropicana Casino in Havana, then owned by Norman, Rothman of Chicago. In, 1960, McWillie worked as tae pit. boss | at ‘the Capri -in ‘Havana, and in ‘i961, “McWillie left Cuba ‘to work at the Cal- -Neva | Loage in ‘Nevada:
@ Goal #3. - page 6 1G Nofio Pecora An alleged manager for Carlos Marcello for gambling and prostitution activities. on October 30, 1963, Pecora “received a telephone call from a phone routinely used “by Jack Ruby. Also the brother-in-law of D'’Alton Smith, - “an associate of Carlos Marcello. i il. Russell Douglas Matthews | Hudkins alleges that Matthews was recruited to participate: in CIA-Castro plots. In a December 1963 FBI report (CD 86, p.198), he is referred to as a close associate of @ Ruby and a "strong arm man." His attorney in Dallas | | allegedly described him as a "local godfather" and "probably the closest thing to the Mafia that we've ever seen in this town." (CE 2303 states that Ruby placed a 13-minute phone call to Matthews' wife three weeks before ‘the assassination. His. wife, Elizabeth Matthews, is now divorced’ from Matthews and in 1963 resided in Shreveport, Louisiana. She cannot recall receiving the phone call. It has been alleged that Matthews was also associated with H.L. Hunt. Hudkins claims that Matthews knew Castro, “haa, fought. with, hin” in cuba, and had believed: -that “Castro “casino” ‘in “Havana -Hudkins claims. would set him up sthat2 Matthews: “‘tefused:’ o participate’ inthe plots.” “AW 54756.) Docld:32267344 Page 29.000
@ Goal #3 - page 7 12. .Joseph Francis Civello, aka Joe Ciurello Deceased 1/17/70 . Civello attended the Appalachin meeting in 1957 and was the reputed Boss of Organized Crime in Dallas. Civello. was considered an experienced narcotics trafficker and extortionist. HW 54756 Docld:32267344 Page 30. ~
@ Goal #3 - page 8 E. Nature and extent of Hall's knowledge of Ruby's financial status F. Nature and extent of Hall's knowledge of Ruby relationship _ with the Dallas Police Department and Federal investigative © ' agencies. Knowledge of Ruby as a police informant “G6. Nature and extent of Hall's knowledge of Ruby's involvement _ in "sex" parties | 1. Knowledge of Patrick Kirkwood 2. “Knowledge of "Candy Barr" - Juanita Dale Phillips Knowledge of "Little Lynn" - Karen Bennett OWW. 54756 Docid:32267344 - Page 31 —
Goal #3 - page 9 1. Patrick Kirkwood | Owner of the Cellar Club in Fort Worth and an acquaintance of Jack Ruby. Allegedly Kirkwood owned ao private gambling club in Fort Worth and held sex parties that were frequented by Ruby, organized: crime figures, and Dallas police officers. 2. Juanita Dale Phillips, aka Candy Barr A stripper in the Dallas/Fort Worth area prior to her @ arrest on drug charges. Ruby contacted her on several occasions after she was released from’ jail in 1963.. °3. Karen Bennett, aka Little Lynn A stripper at Ruby's Carousel Club, Dallas, Texas. Prior to working at the Carousel, Little Lynn worked at Pat Kirkwood's: Cellar Club in Fort Worth. “WW 54756 Docld:39267344. Page 32.0 2
Goal’ #3 - page 10 H. Facts concerning a deal between Ruby, Harry Hall (posing as Harry Sinclair), and some gamblers in Dallas which reportedly resulted in Hall and Ruby collecting between $70,000 to $80,000 on a trip to Midland, Texas. I. Nature and extent of Ruby's relationship with Buzzy Rivkin | and Dave "Dingy" Halper. J. Hall's knowledge of the nature and extent of Ruby's activities in Cuba ‘1. Trips made to Cuba - 1959 2 @ | 7 2. Knowledge of relationships Ruby had with persons involved | | | in the casinos in Havana | | 3. Gunrunning activities NW 54756 -Docld:32267344 ‘Page-33-° |
® Goal #3 - page ll FACTUAL BACKGROUND On November 29, 1963 Hall contacted the Secret Service in Los angeles, California and stated he had information of value concerning Jack Ruby of Dallas, Texas. Representatives from the Secret Service and the FBI interviewed Hall on November 30, 1963 at the “Federal correctional Institution, Terminal Island, California. (HSCA Exhibits 1 and 2) | Hall advised that in about the latter part of 1952 or the early part of 1953 he First met Jack Ruby at Dallas, | Texas. @ Hall was introduced to Ruby by his (Hall's) uncle, Marty Field, alias Marty Schwartz. | | | During the course of the interview Hall discussed various schemes and deals he and Ruby undertook to make money. They | split all winnings on a 60-40 basis (Hall got 608) . These deals involved wealthy .oil men, including H.L. Hunt, Dick Andrade, and gamblers in the Dallas area. Hall said their activities extended beyond the Dallas area,. including the cities .of Montreal, Shreveport, San Francisco, Oklahoma City, and Los Angeles. | GAT lt, Hall noted that in connection with his: association with nani? Halt wisidea nik in- Aihat Were . apparently! two" places 7. “iw ‘SaT56"  Docld:32267344- “Page 340 820
LA 44-895 WIN:mjg 1 — HARRY GALE, alka Harry“Helfgott, Harr eifiilier, Harry, ‘Hunt, Sidney /RBeinn, - SLanéyABry mn, Sidney.Brin, ~ S§Sidney.Bryn, Harry; Sinclair, Tle _ Ed Pauley, Jr. - FBINoW 2956393 HARRY: HALL has volunteered information to the PBI at verious times since.1950 and has characterized himself as a gambler and sports promoter widely acquainted With individuals in these fields. e “on April 22, 1955 he was. admitted to the “California | - State Prison on a forgery conviction of 1 to M years and" was paroled April 23. 1956. a t ) On October 1, 1962 he was ‘sentenced in U. So. District Court to 30 months in the custody of the Attorney General on charges of Obstruction of Justice, Title 18, U. S., Code, Section 1503 and Interstate Transportation of ' Stolen Proper pty and Fraud By Wire, Title 18, U. S. Code, Section 134 rn On July 12, 1952 in Superior Court, Los Angeles, _he was sentenced on e relony non-sufficient check charge to serve a l year sentence concurrent with the above listed Federal charge. He is currently serving his sentence at ‘the Federal Correctional institution at “Terminal isiand, California. HALL is well known in law enforcement circles in Los Angeles, California, having. acved ina capacity of an informant for most local and Federal agencies. Contacts with HALL by personnel of the FBI reflect that he has on occasion attempted to further his oim scherms as a confidence man throusn his essociation with various law. enforcement agencies, oO og - : @ et le. : ok ° ? ei cP, 4 f . nm. boy et yt - 5. HW-54756 DocId:32267344 Page 36 . Ste Ee ne se nehereneeees Snes ee nee etme ve
4 C ~. € 41/30/63 ® oo Date. . On November 11, 1963 HARRY HALL, an inmate at the. Pederal Correctional Institution (FCI), Terminal Island, California, was contacted in view of his request to the Secret Service at Los Angeles, California on November 29, 1963 that he be contacted ina smuch as he felt he had information of value concerning JACK RUBY of Dallas, Texas.’ Present at the interview was Special Agent in Charge GUY H. SPAMAN of the Secret Service, Los Angeles, California, HALL advised © that his reason for ‘contacting law enforcement was that he desired to get out of FCI and before he gave any information, he wanted some assurance of this fact. , , a , HALL was advised that no such assura ances could be given to him and if he had information it should be given to the FBI immediately in view of the fact that to conceal " @ valuable information would in effect be obstructing the . a ‘current investigation with regard to JACK RUBY. HALL was advised that the fact that he did furnish information. wovld be made known to the U. S. Attorney at Los. Angeles for whatever consideration he might wish to grant to such an act on the part of HALE. He was definitely advised that no @ promises of any kind could be made to him in this regard, | HALL advised that in about the latter part of 195e or the early par fr 1953 he first met JACK RUBY at ly S Dallas, Mexas. HALL wa ~. unele HARTY. FIELD, vhose real name is MARTY. ‘SCHWARTZ and who is currently a dealer at the Sancs Hotél, Las Vegas, Nevada. HALL advised that at that time JACK RUBY was operating ‘2 club, the name of which HALL could not recall,- but he advised that it: looked sort of like a shed of some _ kind and vas located in a rather run down neighborhood and RUBY charged admission to get into this particular club. ” antroduced to RUBY.py his, HALL's Ot EO . wy Qu <4 ad Qn ed that PTollowing nis introduc tion to. naly with him inesmuch as he, HALL, wa romoter" at that time and JACK RUBY nad in connection with whom he asked HALL RUBY, he became fr busy actins as a " a Negro enterta ine ry "9 Jo f ttn as a we kn DS anna | 5s 4-895. € on . cr . s ry > : ~ Gn 11/30/63 ,, Terminal Island, California, | y Los Angeles 44-895 . in _ : oe val ? SA WILLIAM JOHN NOLANimsg 11/30/63 eee — Date dictated ——_—_— y . ts a te > ~- te, _ hto documnnt contains nelther recommendations nor conclus! { the rot. Tt ts th er Your agoneyy It and ie eee uee Tecommendations nor cot a Tus tons of Senay. s the prope ity of the FBI and ts loaned to. HW 54756 - Docld:32967344 Page 37 a ee ro. a
LA 44.895 ‘to see if he could get him a spot on the Ed Sullivan TV. Show. HALL advised that he never followed through on his promise to RUBY in this regard, a HALL noted that in connection with his association with RUBY, RUBY apparently had two places of residence, one Of which was quite pretentious and where RUBY lived alone, The cther residence which HALL also visited, which would be . about 1953, was nos nearly as elaborate as the first one, but was a place where RUBY apparently kept his files and . records, HALL advised that at one time he went with RUBY to this particular domicile and RUBY picked uv a manila envelope and took it with him to his club, HALL noted that during this period, RUBY had a gun with him at all times, HALL advised that he has: no particular lmowledge of weapons and could only identify the weapon that he saw in RUBY'!s possession at that time as a long-barreled gun. a t at this time in the Dallas area’ rae 1) s fs Ot . HALL advised tha @ he, HALL, had a good thing going. He had gone to Dallas ° and was utilizing the name of HARRY SINCLAIR, JR, and upon his arrival in Dellas, he had’ éontadted a wealthy individual - by the name of DICK“ANDRADE, whose background HALL knew Cpr _ from contacts that’HALE had in Los Angeles, HALL, posing 9 wot és a member of a wealthy oil family, was able to strike . up @n association with ANDRADE and throuch him was able to &0 to the Petroleum Club in the Baker Hotel, Dallas,.Texas, HALL advised thas ne developed this essociation because of the fact that ANDRADE had a reputation as a heavy bettor. and through his essoctation with ANDRADE he was able to be introduced and vouched for to ANDRADE!s bookmaking source at Montreal, Canada. This then enabled HATi, to place extremely _—— " po . ~, at Lt . a we large bets without uti L izing any money, tw “HALL advised that he took JACK RUBY as his guest to the Petroleum Club on one occasion and explained his set up to RUBY, which impressed RUBY very much, RUBY, when he learned of the scheme that HALL was employing, asked to be cut in on it telling HALL that as a "geu" he would have — no chance at all in Dallas if he were arrested. \ RUBY, jt Ly HW 54756 Docld:32267344° Page 38 = |. Se
LA 1-895 3 however, according to HALL, ‘elated that he, RUBY, at that. ._ time had "plenty of juice" going with the Dallas Police Department and could take care of any squavks that might — come up from HALL's operation, HALL advised that he cut _ RUBY in on a 60-40 solit with RUBY providing a bank roll | of some several thousand dollars that could be utilized to flash. around” in the presence. of DICK ANDRADE. HALL. advised further that in connection. “with DICK ANDRADS, RUBY acvised him that he could get a couple of. guys’ from Chicago. and they could set ANDRADE up which — - would mean a good score for all of them, HALL claims that he declined RUSY's offer in this regard. oe HALL edvised that at a later time he again was in the Dallas area and stopped in to see RUBY and he. was | . advised by a girl in RUBY's club that RUBY was in Chicago. The girl gave HALL a telephone number where RUBY could _be @ reached, but HALL. Goes. not have this nuaber nox HALL advised that he called RUBY at this number , which was.a store se Ling off~brand merchandise and located -on the west side of North State Street about a half block south of Grand in Chicago, HALL advised that the individual, — who ran this. store, mose name he did not recall, had in addition to the material that was on the shelves in front, guns for sale to those individuals desiring them. This individual also had a brother who was an ex-con and who, according to HALL, was running a similar shop some time last year, also in Chicago. In talking with RUBY at this store, HALL advised that RUBY told him he was buying some "schlock" which term HALL defined as a bunch of ofi-brand junk. He advised further that at this time RUBY was also engaged in the Dallas area in hand ing gambling action, 1 jo i oe AG se = was at this point in the ‘interview that HALL uping his association with RUBY over a period 2 years ofr and on, he became well acquainted t that RUBY. wes Greatly @ eddicted to fried chicken, © advised ti of some thr with the fe et ae 3 QM ct ct Qu ©@ 7 HW 54756 Docld:32267344 Page 39
LA 44-895 h He advised further that the original spot ‘that he recalled » os being operated by RUBY sold fried chicken Jn a box. He. rarer stated that this point came to mind when he saw news an . coverage reflecting that the spot allegedly utilized by - “TRE “HARVEY. OSWALD for his assassination of the President “or: “the ty. Ss. had had ehielcen remains Lert behind. “HALL advised that following nis orig sinal | introduction, he was with JACK RUBY for a period of four months straight - a and RUBY was always raising some issve about what Kind of aon score tney could make, In this comection, HALL advised | ‘that some. tame -in the period between 1953 and April, 1955, he recalled that while he was at the Petroleum Club, arc RUBY oe propositioned HAPh with a deal concerning L, HUNT. According to RUBY, HUNT had a son named ‘unssts", which was not generally know ‘and who at that time was located ain , Concord, Massachuset tS. RUBY wanted to lay a trap for_H, LL. Viea e (HUNT. throug ae) HASSIE utilizing a scheme where HALL would es spose as a doctor. HALL advised that this deal fel through . for -some reason which he could not recali, HALL also adva -sed that he and JACK RUBY teamed vo at oe period when HALL was Mee mes HARRY SINCLAIR, oR. and beat some samblers in Dallas texas for some - $70,000 to $30, 000, which they split "60-0 to HALL and RUBY : respectively, - - BALL advised that in order to build ww his front, he went into Nieman-Mareus at Dallas with RUBY and bought a thousand Goliens worth of clothes, thich he paid for by check issued in the name of HARRY SINC ATR, JR. With his new wardrobe, HALL was eble to contact those who had been taken by him and UBY and secured enough cash to go back to the department store the same dat be and retrieve the check — ‘before it was deposited, . ae HW 54756 Docld: 322767344 ‘Page 40 , ; . , Ce
LA 44-895 i) . ss HALL also recalled that he went to Mi@land, Texas and stayed at a hotel whose name he recalled as the ~™ Sharborough | (phonetic) with JACK RUBY, at which time he _ Sarr noticed that JACK RUBY had four guns with him. HALL at — . paar that time was still utilizing the name SINCLAIR, eS He advised: ‘that ‘the trip to Midland, Texas was — in ¢ mection with the scheme to get the ‘970, 600 or - $80,000 mentioned above. we Going: ‘back to » DICK ANDRADE, HALL advised that over a period of some months he and RUBY, . utilizing ANDRADE's betting contact at Montreal, were abile £0 piild- ‘up a $5,000 credit, Tt was agreed that he and RUBY would go to Montreal to collect and he recalled that we, HALL, © proceeded to Montreal and JACK RUBY stopped off at Chicago. ‘HALL recalled that he was paid off by an individual named GORDON at Montreal and also that he, HALL, on several — ‘occasions while staying in Montreal contacted RUBY at the store previously mentioned, located on State Street in. Chicago, HALL advised that he was able through good betting - at Montre al to. build.wo the $5,000 to almost $20, 000. and HW 54756 a pron Montreal and met JACI RUBY at the Devonshire ed n Oat co Street in Chicas SO He advised that a a oF rEIe and. PETE (ENU) were operating the hotel he proceede Hotel lee at couple neme at that tim In connecticn with this particular time he advised ---__ that he solit the winnings with JACK RUBY and on one occasion* 7 +. - he went with RUBY to visit a joint run by BUZZY’RIVKIN. He = 77 also recalls at that time that JACK RUBY met With one DAVE — nt "DINGY" HALPER, iso of Chicago, and thinks that this meeting tock place at the club run by BUSZY RIVKIN, a is time corrected himself by advising that he ‘be ad that RUBY met him at the Devonshire Hotel, Ut was peeas y a steyvying at the aes on. HALL advised that he, HALL, st tne Palmer House, Chicago. _DocId: 32267344 Page 41
LA 44895 6 - HALL advised that following this visit to Chicago, ©. he and RUBY flew to Oklahoma City where they registered ee -at the Biltmore Hotel under the name HARRY SINCLAIR, JR.» ‘They stayed there a couple of days and rented a car ana . visited the birth place of WILL ROGERS. He remembered that there was a crap game running in that tom that RUBY -_ kmew about and between them, they took about 62,000 from the gemblers there, HALL recalled that they won this money through some sort of: a scheme. He also recalled there vere other games at Shreveport, Lowisiana following .. this: visit to Oklahoma where JACK RUBY played gin rummy. 2. oe and lost quite a bit of money. and gave the guy a check. HALL recalls that on another-sécasion he was . staying at the Dallas Athletic Club, utilizing the name of -SINCLAIR,as a guest or BUDDY FOGELSON and DICK ANDRADE, _ He advised that all the expéttses for both he and RUBY on . . this occasion were paid for by either FOGELSON or ANDRADE, . He advised that they were there for a period of some two © - or three days and were entertained by two girls who were | models from Niemen-Marcus, who had been introduced to them. by ANDRADE. He recalled that he, HALL, gave them $300 a piece and that JACK RUSBY in a fit of temper had hit one of the girls. — . an a oe nt in recalling some of his. contacts with RUBY, — a HALL advised that some time in about 1954 or just prior to...” his going to jail in California in Avrii, 1955, JACK RUBY had gone to San Francisco and was G0ing to see him on his ‘Way back to Dallas. He recalls that. RUBY in g0ing to San: Francisco, was going to see one "STONEY", a good friend of MARTY FIELD, HALL's uncle. He advised that STONEY was a “, bookmaker, well knorm in the San Francisco area and was \/7, @iso engased in meeting boats at the docks to buy various - Smugsled goods from the seamen. Also he recalled that JACK ~ RUBY in the San Preancisco area was in contact with either ? HECKTE or SALLIGD-SCEUMAN about some geal which HALL did not || \  zimow about. He’ advised that HECSIE, SCHUMAN is a well-known _ boy bookmaker in San Franeisea, on earn meer wa, “SX HW 54756 Docld: 322767344 Page 42
-. the winnings. p Another—ineident concerning RUBY. concerned one > prit/ BYERS, a friend of ANDRADE's, BYERS usually. played gin rumny at the Petroleum Club in Dallas and thinking 2) HALL was a wealthy oilman himself, gave HALL a piece of his action in playing gin rumny to the. amount of ® percent of. HALL recalled that when RUBY vis sited him an’ - Los Angeles, he made a proposition to HALL that BYERS usually carrie ed rrom SHO , COO to $50, 000 around with him at’ all tines nd if HALL could come up with information showing — he was malcing a trip -anywhere alone, if HALL would pass the. -Aanformation alone to RUBY, RUBY had a couple of guys who. would hit BYERS and split the proceeds 50-50. HALL said he agreed to.this deal, but his prison term in 1955 interfered. ‘However, he heard later that BYERS hed been held up or burglarized a few years later while staying ¢ at the Del Charro at Del Mar,. California. “He sso recalled a deal which concerned a New Years Peay mien he, HALL, went to Fort Worth, Texas and posing ED .PAULBY, JR., had contacted H. L. HUNT and bet him $1, 000" ot five’ atfferent: bowl games. He advised that RUBY 4 in this scan with him and that. he, HALL, / won all five. games, He advised that he does not recall the exact year, but two of the games that he. does recall ave Texas-Tennessee in the Cotton Bowl and Michigan~ California in the Rose Bowl. He edvised that / they: collected $5,000 from HUNT which they split 60- HO, . . _ contact with JACK RUBY since about 1955, althoveh he visited a ' the Carousel Club last year while in Dallas and was surprised chav Was surrounding RUBY since he- — HW 54756 BALL advised that he has not had any direct - ne to see the prosperity had previously seen mies not in town and HALLS 4 t m, RUBY at that time, however, was id not see hin. HALL advised thet it was his epinion from his ‘ Docld: 32267344 Page 43
LA 44-695 § oe contacts and knowledge of RUBY that RUBY had some "strong motivation for his shooting of LEE HARVEY OSWALD and that Sop. the only motivation that he, HALL, could attribute to RUBY 90°» was money or the fear that OSWALD possibly might involve RUBY in the assassination of the President of the U. 8S, He admitted this was pure speculation on his: part and made “the offer that he would be willing to go to Dallas, Texas and meet RUBY and was sure that from such a meeting that. he could learn from RUBY what motivated him to shoot and WW 54756 kill OSWALD. o Docld: 322767344 Page 44
. . ™~ ¢- a»? orn Nos 1089 resize) a 7 nn Socal Sa UNITED STATES SECRET SERVICE i _ TREASURY DEPARTMENT 093709 ORISIN Field. orice Los Angeles, California: rte no, 4-3-GO1L.0 © | , TYPE OF CASE : STATUS . TITLE OR CAPTION . . . if a Protective Research re FEI Jack Ruby - PRS Subject Closed | PERIOD COVERED 11/30/63 INVESTIGATION MADE AT : “Los Angeles, California 11/29/63 ~ INVESTIGATION MADE BY SAIC Guy H. Speman & SA Darwin D.: Horn DETAILS “DETAILS OF INVESTIGATION = a a »from a man who said he vas Irving Cassidy. Mr. Cassidy said that he hed just “ visited Harry fall in Terminal Island Federal Reformatory, Los angeles, and “Mr. Hall asked that Mr. Cassidy call SAIC Spaman to tell hin that Harry Hall had ' information concerning. Jack Ruby” from Dallas, Texas, and would like to talk with “" 7” the. Secret -Service.. re ae are On oh vet of November 2971963, SAIC. Spantn received a phone call SL _ Harry Hall was an informant for the Los Angeles Office several years aro - ; : oO . oo" 5 : ; . “Giving information which resulted in the seizure of a counterfeiting plant. He oes has. since given information to the Intelligence Division of the Treasury and the |. - Federal Bureau of investigation, oo aa Harry Hall is serving a sentéace of 30 months in Terminal Isiand for de- .frauding boxing promoter Treoman Sibson of a'large sum of “oney. His conridence “scheme involved forging United. tates Attorney Francis “helan's signature and other fraudulent Federal papers resulting in his conviction in Federal Court after an investigation by the FBI. On the sane date SA Horn interviewed Harry Hall at Terininal Island Reforna- tory in the presence of a prison official. : Hall stated. that ne had had business “ dealings with Jack Ruby and was well acquainted with Aim, but advised SA Horn that he did rot want to talk in tne reformatory in the presence of witnesses, Le but would talk to SAIC Spaman if he could be taken out o? Termine] Island to the Secret Service Office. , oe me . On EKovenber 36. 1963. SAIC Spaman discussed this matter with Inspector “Kelley at Dallas, T aS, advising Inspector Kelley that Harry Hall had been of | assistance to other a és in addition to the Secret Service, and that his in- formation in many cases had been reliable. Co DISTRIBUTION SPECIAL AGINT IN CHARSE i i REPORT MADE BY” , “a 4 1? Ler i Orig eben NP OSL i Ae tf i Orig. — —— TPS Ae ore raenen ‘ : H aghoale pamen SPQMAL SENT LY Lire | “‘wOS angeles i ce Guy H. Speaan 5 pat in Cnarze Dallas : 2c APPROVED i HW 54756 Docld:32267344 Page 45 _ (CONTINUE ON PLAIN PAPER) Wot envesnnee ce eee .
- 3661.0 , Page 2 > v oO recently, and Hall vas. in the 12 ‘custody or the Dovartient of Justice. Thsvector : Kelley nereed to this procedure. SAIC Spaman then made arrangements with. SAC Willian Simon, FBI, Los Angeles, for SA Willian Knowland, FSI, to. meet with - : Spanien at. Ternzinal Island. Hall et Terminal Island without prisopofficials being present. Hall stated that -around 1956 to 1952 his. Uncle, Harty "F Fields, | introduced him to Jagk Ruby in Dallas, - ‘Texas, At that time Ruby ran a small cheap bar and nignt club Dallas, Harry Hall had cnecked into a Dallas Hotel using the alias of Harry*Sinclair, Jr. and was looking for high stake gambling games to get into or to place bets on footbali “"gemes or horse races. - oo: re re Cn Hovember 30, 1983, SAIC er SA Knowland, FBI, int ferviewed Harry — : Eis method of operation’ at ‘that ‘time was to use the name of a well | known ‘per— son and ingratiate himself with persons with money, He would then make bets or "gentle putting over fictitious checks if he lost and leaving totm. Ruby on occasion V provided Hall wit th poankrolt and introduced him to likely victims, with Ruby . ‘takins L035 of any Aeal while Heli collected 60%. Ruby's cut wes because he was . (@ 221 052¢, to huve influence with the nolice, so. that™ne Would have no worry about —~ any gembling arrest... DE . er nis. period - through influential people, he was able to so. “meet in Dallas, he was adle to place bets with a bookie in Montreal by telephone, - | winning about $5,000. Ruby and Hall then went to Chicago enroute to Hontreal to “collect their winnings, but Ruby remained in Chicago while Hall went to Hontreal _ “and collects the money, returning to Join Ruby in Chicago. Kall said that. during t QO | faa Fy oa oo it that tine Ruby was staying ‘at the “Devons hire Hotel on the near north side -in Chicago, while Hall stayed at the Palmer House. During their stay in Chicago ~ we ; an ywite friendly with a man who had a store which sold what Hall called "schlox" meaning off-brand merchandise similar to expensive appliances, | |. , S man's store was iocated on the west sice of State street/in the middle- _ ToLs man was supposed to be able to get for a person @ person wanted. Hall did not krow wnat Ruby's Cealings | returned to Dallas by war of Tulsa. Oulahona, where fuoy : 72 : » and Shreveport, Louisiana, | where. Yury had similar ‘cood. connections. Ce 4 is] oO t 4 at 3. 1) fee cr Q Qa fs - A ae rf if? ft. i x2s millionaire named Bill Byers, wv "came from . wo other Texes millionaires na med Hfarch SON cul bed between Texas and Los Angeles. Ruby knoe that — —oB: a Ss with him and wanted Hall, who also knew Byers, _ - y to ‘Pind out when Byers would be alone. Ruby said he had 2 couple of men who would e: % injuring hin, and that Ruby and Hall coule divide whatever HW 54756. Docld:32267344 Page 46 8 — "
“b-3-661.0 ‘Page 3 a “yal said. he. did. not. £0. “throucn with this deal, but he heard yas robbed while at‘‘the Del Charro Hotel, La Jolla, California. 3 This hovel is owned by Er. Hurchison. | - money Byers had later thet Byer we _ fur ther stated thet some time dure g tats neriod, while he 36 going nene. of Harry Sinclair, Jr. or Ed“Pavle~. on. ho mat. nt Stes Longines: that _he and Raby’ et dunt on the Cotton Bowl” ana Rose Bowl ming &, jer ge sun of money from Hunt» which they split. hoe Hal stated thot 2lso during ‘this time he. and Puby came to Los Angeles id 7 Ruoy covctinued to on Epanci sco, where he said he was going to see one "Stony! . and ."Solly" or "Eecky" “Schurian'on some deal. These men were supposed to be known rackOteere or gamolers in San Francisco, Hall stated that one time when he was. associating with Ruby, he recalls that Ruby said tnat he was going to Florida to | |. “buy a load of "contraband" to send to. Israel, Hell said. that Ruby was the type BS 7 128 interest : and Secinga to have good contacts with 2 luby doing anything out of ar Hal further stated that he was’2 acquainted with one Eugenia E1son,. who is a manicurist at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, Los Angeles. He said she has a son, Eugene, who is 6.or 9 years old. She was ‘born in Russia end formerly lived in “Dallas, being merried to a wealthy Dallas man whom she has since divorced. Wall - 00 -> stated that this woman, he believed, hed some Russian friends in Dallas. He said. obs he knew of no -connection between her. and Ruby. oe Be Hall stated that he was sentenced to State 2efornato vy, Crino, | California, | : 1955 for checks, being released in 1956. Ile said all of the above informetion “related to events before that time; that he hed no dealings or no contact wita — : - Ruby since 1955. However, he stated that he was close cnough to Rubir so that if.- “he were perm aiite e d to ta k to Ruby. he believed ne could per suade hia to. tell ta mole story, 5... dnowland stated that the information re ecured at this joint questioning» of Hall would be teletyped to their Dallas Office, oo - DISP. OSETION Closed Los Angeles. HW.54756 Docld:32267344 Page 47°
Commission No. Ruby, Jack Ded On August 11, chanced to be in the off American Guild of Variot Dallas, Texas, on offici 2 identizied by hi. Lee as Ja ie Bixby , operator ox the Si Stx Qo OU 7 a Het eh 2 < Or & i QO i a Spur, 17i7 Sout th. Exvay t; Dallas, Texas, cane plustering in Lee’s offic “Ruby domanded of Lee that ‘Lee suppiy Ruby with s s" to put on entertainmen at his Silver Syur. Lee “Ruby that Ru uby would have to put up a cash bond to ruai the givis' salary whereupon Ruby began to curse Lee, ing that he was short on money and that ed ebes not make 1D nee competitors put MP such @cash bond. Lee r t. he still could no furn ish. eras. entertainers to Ruby uni ess Ruby put up soe cosh at which time Ruby arcse and in a threatening tone o2 voice asked Lee: "So you want to know whether or not i'm nf", and "“Vhat are you trying to do, be a tough ae? 2 welt Ly I’m just as tough as they come" or | aa eh bh » ch ‘ ch oO 73 Q Brey O 2 ee $2 US pI GA OD Qo Q $9 U2 Be ch Da Joe @ 3 a. Q OQ n° cr + “ v' few rs ro) 4 qo, E gt Ltt 5 >] rm ~ ¢ fro. “that “Raby. con siden “od D hineees @ ver nd was an associate of Joe Bond the Sky Club, whe was also a “tough” chara J. Hore 2a. ELUEsTe A2EQinst use peceuse Lee one time attemoted to collect “a $700.00 bad check Ponds had given a girl. entertainer a at / Which time either Bon nds or one of his henchmen hac struck . Lee across. the forshead with a pistol. Lee continued that ‘both Ruby and Bonds always carried concealed pistols and Were an constant asscciation with Janes Robert Todd,. better pBoUn as Jack Todd, FB number 1505883, Dallas Poli ce Department number: 32255, a well-known Dallas safe~cracker, Lee informed ‘tha t Ruby, Bonds ard Todd, together with other hoodiuns and safe-crackers, whose identities were unknown to Lee, usually hung around Sue's Used Car Lot, 3400 tive (Oak, 2llas, Texas. ~ HW 54756 DocId: 32267344. Page 46
Early background: 1924 1940 1944 1947 October 1947 1952 1959 August 1960 August 25, .1960 September 1960 ANTONIO DE VARONA CHRONOLOGY ‘Educated as an attorney. Exiled three times from Cuba. Beginning of various political activities. Initiated the uprising © which eventually overthrew Gerardo Machado. “Blectea ¢ congressman from Camaguey Province. Elected ‘senator. Appointed leader of: the parliamentary committee of his party. Appointed Prime Minister under Carlos Prio. Batista overthrows Prio; de Varona begins fight against Batista. Castro takes over; de Varona recognizes communistic leanings, flees into exile. Bissell and Edwards have discussion concerning use of underworld figures to aid in assassination of Castro. -Reports of de Varona's recent visit to U.S. indicate he allegedly solicited funds from Las Vegas ‘ - gamblers. Sheffield Edwards, CIA Director of the Office of Security, designates the task of putting the plan to kill Castro into operation to the CIA Support Chief, . James O' Connell. O'Connell initiates contact | with Robert .Maheu.  Maheu brings “gn John ‘Rosebl: Sam Giancana an who. quickly* brings”. Jin. santa. ‘Trafficante. _ Docld: 26734
September September Week of. September . September -October 8, October 18, Early 1961 January 2, January 18, “HW 54756 ° Docld: 14, 14, 25, 27, 1960 1960 1960 1960 1960 ‘1960 1961 “1961 » including, Santo Trafficante.=..This: .7same..Cuban ‘was - “subsequently used py “~YRoselli-in.the-second..passage of: “=: ipills.to, Cuba in. April .1962. 0000 0.0. Antonio de Varona chronology...page 2 Antonio de Varona: arrives in New York City from Mexico City. James O'Connell meets with Roselli and Maheu at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. James O'Connell, Maheu and Roselli meet in Miami with Giancana and Trafficante. De Varona appointed coordinator of the FRD. De Varona reportedly interested in mounting operations as political favor for contacts with non-FRD_ supporters. | Memo from J. Edgar Hoover to intelligence agencies detailing Giancana's statements about an imminent Castro assassination plot. A CIA official met with a highly placed Cuban official to determine > if the Cuban would cooperate in efforts against the Castro regime . (I.G. Report, p.78). The Cuban was referred to by the.cryptonym AM/LASH. Lewis McWillie returns ‘to the U.S. from Cuba. FBI memorandum indicates that a Cuban was associated with anti-Castro activities financed by U.S. racketeers,
Antonio de Varona chronology...page 3 January 23, 1961 FBI reports indicate "Gambling elements in the U.S. have offered to contribute as high as 2 million dollars to finance the anti-Castro operations of de Varona and the organization which he represents, apparently in the hope of getting in on the ground floor should Castro be overthrown." The Cellini family reportedly in contact with de Varona through public relations man a Edward K. Moss of Washington, D.C. "It was through this channel that the offer of financial assistance ‘was made." February 1961 James O'Connell received the poison pills from the Technical Services Division, and then gave them to Roselli. Late February 1961 Roselli reported to O'Connell that or March 1961 . the pills had been delivered to an official close to Castro who may @ have received kickbacks from the gambling interests. The official returned the pills after two weeks, perhaps because he had lost his position in the Cuban government. ‘March 13, 1961 - FBI report indicates information re- - ceived that the CIA paying de Varona $300,000 per month for the FRD. March or April 1961 Roselli told O'Connell that Trafficante knew of a man higher up in the Cuban exile movement who. might do the job. He was identified as de Varona, leader of the Democratic Revolutionary Front. De Varona was believed to have assets inside Cuba. The. Bay of. Pigs. invasion. fails. a Maheu ‘tells. the: “PBL ‘of. cra. involvemen in, Las - Vegas: wirestap.. Docld: 3226: 344 Page 51 7 HW 54756 -
Antonio de Varona chronology...page 4 April 19-20, 1961 May 18, 1961 May 22, 1961 July 21, 1961 September 15, 1961 November 1961 January 29, 1962 April 8, 1962 oo April 18,.1962. \ Dogld:32267344 Page 52 President Kennedy meets with Cubans who escaped from the Bay of Pigs. One of the exiles, probably de Varona, had been involved in _smuggling the poison pills for the CIA/Mafia plot into Cuba. The General Taylor/Kennedy Board interviewed several Cuban exile leaders who had been involved in the Bay of Pigs, including the leaders who had cooperated in the. assassination plot. The subject of: the inquiry was the Bay of Pigs operation. Hoover memo to Attorney General Kennedy noting CIA used Giancana in "clandestine efforts" against Castro. Special Group memo for the record ‘reports that the basic objective regarding Cuba is to develop opposition to Castro and to "bring about a regime acceptable to the United States." CRC and FRD merge, with Jose Miro Cardona as head, de Varona as second in command. William Harvey instructed to take over the contact with John Roselli as part of Project ZR/RIFLE; -Harvey takes over Mafia plots. He counts Maheu out and deals directly with Roselli. CIA objects to prosecution of Maheu for Las Vegas wire tap. Harvey, O'Connell, and Roselli meet for a second time in New York on _., April 8-9 to set up the next attempt: on: Castro. - a OP Ophe : ‘technical Services: Division of- a > a: the -CIA. -delivers: the- second: -batch ofc “poison: pills” ‘to: 0! "Connel beni” _— _
Antonio de Varona chronology.. April 21, 1962 May 3, 1962 May 1962 . June 1962 June 21, 1962 September 7, 1962 ‘September 11, 1962 October 22-28, 1962 December 12, 1962 _ . » President . and .other..Cuban:-exile..  Teaders;= de Varona™ ~“makes~ the = "for the’ ‘current. lack of. exile” oe activity. and-is working: behind the. ‘Brigade: 2506- survivors: yeturn. £0 ‘the. United. States... -President. Kennedy ‘addresses the. Cuban. exiles. in- the - .. football. stadium in, Miami. — -page 5 Harvey passes the poison pills to Roselli in Miami. “Progress. report to the ‘Special Group augmented on "agent teams" and the general field of intelligences. Harvey reported. that three agent teams had been - infiltrated. Roselli passes the poison pills to Cubans for transport to Cuba. | De Varona reportedly in Washington, D.C. to speak to Republican senators regarding the CRC and Cuban exiles. De Varona was asked why he was doing this as it would put the CCRC in a bad position with the Kennedy administration. De Varona said it would be justified if it caused the administration to do something drastic. Cardona reportedly ‘was "furious." Roselli tells Harvey that a six-man team has been dispatched to Cuba. Harvey meets Roselli in Miami. The Cuban was reported to be preparing ‘to send in another three-man team. ‘to penetrate Castro's bodyguard. Harvey was told that the pills were “still "safe". in Cuba. Harvey and Roselli confer in Miami regarding the status of the plots. Cuban Missile Crisis. Harvey orders agent teams into Cuba to support any United States military action that ‘might occur. In a meeting with the Honduran Of Kennedy,
Antonio de Varona chronology...page 6 February 1963 The Mafia plot is ended, according ; , to Harvey. : March 1963 . Roselli claims the Castro assassination plots ended. April 22, 1963 - Meetings held regarding dissolution of the. CRC. De Varona advocated an "open door" policy for the CRC, “which would admit Cuban individuals rather than organizations into the . CRC as a method for promoting unity. ~De Varona said it had been decided not to dissolve the CRC and replace it with a new organization because the CRC is an established organization -well known in this hemisphere. April 23, 1963 Co ‘Meeting held to advise de Varona ‘of the liquidation of the CRC. April 29, 1963 ' FBI report indicates’ de Varona rejected an offer to continue to receive a monthly @ salary after liquidation of the CRC. | De Varona also reportedly would not agree to disband the CRC. June 1963 Harvey and Roselli meet. Harvey ' said this meeting was a going-away dinner since he had been transferred overseas and would not be seeing much of Roselli anymore. “June 22, 1963 Antonio Maceo resigns as head of - CRC after protesting CRC announcement concerning landing of infiltration | groups in Cuba. FBI files. indicate Maceo was reportedly told the episode was a propaganda gimmick to put the CRC in a favorable light. . Maceo _ did not want to be the "fall guy" ve When | the. affair goes. SOUr. oe 8, CEs ‘De Varona: “cohtinuing CRC despite’ pullout...of-CIA.. interest: ‘and - resignations of José -Miro Cardona ‘and =. ‘Antonio Macéo. GRC reiterates and 25s. * confirms’ public statement “announcing: landing..and.infiltration .into..Cuba:: of some. ‘commando units....CIA reports” “i andicate- “Bayo- ‘Pawley" -raid may have: ; been CRC. Plan. ce ett “MW 54756 -Docld: 32267344 Page 54.
“HW:54756 Docld:3 Antonio de Varona chronology... September 7, 1963 October 29, 1963 November 14, 1963 November 16, 1963 November 22, 1963 ° June 10, 1964 June 1964 Early 1965 “4 te DE. varona reportedly ‘continues: as head’ ‘Of Rescate but’ not very active _and. ‘encountering: financial’ eer eA, “Gifficulties? yo 67344 Page 55°. . page 7 ' CIA case officers have their first _ meeting with Cubela (AM/LASH) Since the Bay of Pigs.. Cubela says he is interested in doing an "inside job" and awaits a plan of action from the U.S. Fitzgerald meets AM/LASH and promises him that the U.S. would support a coup against Castro. De Varona arrived in New Orleans and stayed at the home of Augustin Guitart, assistant delegate of the New Orleans CRC. Guitart is also the Rescate delegate in New Orleans, according to Frank Bartes, CRC delegate. De Varona was reportedly invited to bolster the morale of the New Orleans Cuban exiles. .De Varona supposed to proceed to Houston, Texas where, reportedly, his son resides. Fitzgerald and the case officer meet with Cubela and offer him the poison pen. Helms memo to McCone stating that Agency officials had learned of several plots by Cuban exiles to assassinate Castro and other Cuban leaders. CRC disbanded officially. CIA cable states that B-l had given Cubela a silencer and that Cubela _ -had small, highly concentrated explosives. — CTA: terminates: ALL: ‘contact - with! AM/LASH ‘and ‘his ‘associates’ for™ "> reasons related to*security. =»
i a -. VARONA'S ROLE AS A LEADER IN THE CUBAN EXILE MOVEMENT In June 1960, establishment of an "umbrella" group of anti-Castro Cuban exiles got underway in Mexico City with the full support and assistance of the Central Intelli- _gence Agency and with the aim of unifying major anti-Castro Cuban exiles for constructive action. The organization became known by the name Frente Revolucionario Democratico (FRD) or the "Revolutionary Council." Five major groups made up the initial core of the organization: Triple A, led by Sanchez Arango; Asociacion Montecristi, led by Justo Carillo; Movimento Revolucionario de Recuperacion, led. | | by Manuel Artime; Movimento Democratico Cristiano, led by Jose Ignacio Rasco; and Rescate, headed by "Tony" de. Varona. Because of Varona's stature as former President of the Cuban Senate and Prime Minister under Carlos Prio, he quickly assumed a lead position in the FRD as Coordinator. Lespite ongoing struggles within the FRD and its successor group, the Cuban Revolutionary Council, which often led to reshuffling of the leadership, Varona established a firm and permanent foothold in the organization while continuing to. engage in independent exile activity. ‘In. October 1960, the FRD. moved. to Miami-to accelerate ye recruiting. for
AW. 54756° “EQ form JURE in Puerto Rico. ‘Cardona .was given the tead VARONA page 2 Cuba in preparation for the invasion. When Varona was elected chairman of the Executive Commitee, Sanchez Ayan. go withdrew from the FRD in protest, and it was decided to broaden the political base of the organization. Antonio Maceo, Carlos Hevia, and other leaders were added. Another shakeup occurred following efforts by State Department officials and interested members: of the Kennedy administration to include Manolo Ray and his group, the MRP in the FRD. The dispute centered on FRD leadership objections to Ray's leftist leanings and late departure from Cuba; the MRP was said to have singled out Varona in particular as the reason for their reluctance ‘to join. There were charges that Varona was setting up his own ~ private following within the organization by putting his -own men in key positions; by his power over the FRD purse strings; and through his Rescate group, which he kept active even after the dissolution of the CRC in 1964. . Complaints were also made that Varona was using funds for his -own personal uSe. ‘However, differences were worked out and Jose Miro Cardona joined, while ‘Ray split off from the group role on ‘the ‘Exédative Connittse.. to ‘smooth the” -division..
VARONA page 3 was then training in Guatemala for the invasion. Yet Varona's favorable opinion of the Brigade training was crucial, according to E. Howard Hunt, to insure the | solidarity between the Brigade and the FRD following ‘a visit to the camps in the Executive Committee. Not only was Varona's relationship to the rank and file strained, he was equally often at odds with his “CIA sponsors and fellow FRD leadership for his frequent '~ independent manueverings. FBI files for January 1961 reflect that Varona was approaching non-FRD leaders regarding the establishment of a provisional government, but conducting these negotiations without the knowledge of the other @ Executive Committee members. Hunt chastised Varona for an operation Rescate members tried to pull off without CIA knowledge or approval, according to Hunt's book, Give Us This Day. | ‘During the time that Varona became involved in CIA plots with organized crime figures, he may also have had contact | with Mafia types for his own interests. (See Organized Crime memo) . -A Department of Justice memo for January 23, 1961, 7 indicates information was received that Varona had been _ contacted by. the Cellini brothers, who ' were probably rronting: — “for Gambling. interests, “with, “an. offer. to! > ‘contributes _-finane ally - to: anti-Castro. ‘operations. “196i, less. ‘than ° a. ‘month befére. the Bay = of: “Pigs Envaisiony the- FRD -was- phased out, with: “the announce-"~ “HW 54756 .Docld:32267344 Page 58°. |”
VARONA page 4 ment of the organization of the Cuban Revolutionary Council, ‘the political branch of the invasion plans whose members would make up the provisional. government after Castro's fall. Miro Cardona ‘was made President, Varona remained. coordinator, and even Manolo Ray joined as Chief of Sabotage and Internal Affairs until after the April fiasco. | | Following the invasion, government subsidies of the | “CRC continued until March 1963, but hopes for wholesale invasion dimmed as the U.S. goverment became increasingly less cooperative about raids into Cuba emanating from U.S. territory. These raids were specifically prohibited in a statement from the Attorney General in April of 1963. At this time, also, dissolution of the CRC was seriously discussed. Jose Miro Cardona stepped down from his post -as president and U.S. goverment support was withdrawn. A policy allowing for individuals to join the group-oriented organization was set up by Varona. | Antonio Maceo was made President. However, an internal flap in June of 1963 over. CRC announcements of a successful infiltration raid into Cuba caused Maceo to submit his resignation. Agency files indicate the ‘Bayo- Pawley raid, which took..place in mid- “June, may _ have been set up as a CRC. "gimmick" to - Cydsassiation Ya wovennox: “ne ; weer CRs representatives - HW (54756. DocId: 32267344". Page rs
“VARONA page 5 @ continued to maintain offices in New Orleans. (CRC offices, in fact, had been located for a short time in 1962 at the same address as was stamped on some of Lee Harvey Oswald's Fair Play for Cuba literature, 544 Camp St.) Varona reportedly visited the New orleans delegation on November 16, 1963 and stayed with Augustin Guitart, a CRC assistant delegate and Rescate delegate for the New Orleans. (Guitart is the uncle of Sylvia Odio). Varona continued his activities with the Rescate group for several years after the CRC was disbanded. “HWO54756 Docld:32267344 Page 60° a