N oe PG 62-2702 JSP/RLG of (1) er On September 5, 1961, former PG 509-C, who inthe past. has ‘supplied reliable information, was interviewed by SA JOHN 8. PORTELLA at the Hotel Webster Hall, Pittepurgh, Pa... - Informant advised that he has known BENNIE HUSICK all his - life; that. HUSICK, left Pitteburgh sometime during 1954, and - went to Miami Beach, Florida; that while in’ Pittsburgh, HUSTCK was in the narootio racket and fencing racket; that shortly. after he left Pittsburgh and arrived in Miami in 1954, it 1s rumored that BENNIE made a “big score" in the » Narcotics field in Florida which give him his start; that soon after his arrival in Miami Beach, he associated himself with DAVE YARAS, JOE MAST, MIKE COPPOLA, JOE informant knows this person by no other name), and FAT Y (informant knows this person by no other name ; that HUSICK at the present time is part of a group that operates a bookmaking and gambling joint.on Washington Street between 5th and 6th . Streets on Miami Beach, Florida; that this spot ia the only place on the beach that has a ticker tape operating; that: | IGE MAST is.the undisputed boss of Miami Beach, and 4 very close friend and associate of BENNIE ICK; that over one. : half of all the bookmakers in Miami Beach and Miagi, Florida, . turn, in. to HUSICK and MAST; that in addition to gambling | and bookmAking, HUSICK using “outfit money", 1a the ‘top "Shylock" in Miami Beach; that MIKE COPPOLA and PAT. TONY _ mun & numbers and sports betting business and turn. everything ‘4n to HUSICK and MAST; that JOE B from Detroit is also. in - Miam4 Beach and closely associated with HUSICK and MASI; 7 | . and that MAST maintains an office at 212 23rd Street, Miami Beach, Florida, where he generally can be Yocated until “1:00'p.ms3; and MASI conducts most of his business from the office he maintains on the ground floor at the above address. Informant stated that about 4 years ago BENNIE HUSICK was involved in attempting to organize the cab drivers in Miami | Beach, Florida, and at that time he had a close connection — _ ‘with a top labor leader, whose identity 1a not known to the informant. Informant stated that while HUSICK was engaged. in this type of activity, he was using the services of a. Pittsburgh man, JOE DISNOFF, who at that time was in Miami» Beach driving a taxi cab, COVER PAGE |W 45376 Docld:327334029 Page 2?
. FD-204 (Rev. 3-3-59) re fon | | | AY UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Copy to: | : Report of: GEORGE KEEPER Office; PITTSBURGH | Date: of B/ 61 . ; . ' Field Office File #¢ Pittsburgh 62-2702 Bureau File #: 0375327 - Title: JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA; BENJAMIN HUSICK — Characte: MISCELLANEOUS - INFORMATION CONCERNING (ACCOUNTING AND FRAUD SECTION) - . Synopsis: Employers and neighbors of BENJAMIN HUSICK at Pittsburgh, Pa., 1944-53, describe him as transient,"two-bit gambler," "square," and salesman of anything he could lay hands on. No bank account located. HUSICK owned one dwelling during 1944-45. court officials, witnesses, jurors and attorneys involved in 1948-49 prosecution of HUSICK at Pittsburgh, Pa., unable to furnish specific background information concerning him. Similar results obtained from persons involved in subsequent jury fixing proceedings in 1949 and surety of the peace charge in 1953. HUSICK's divorces from GRACE in 1940 and BEATRICE - in 1953 at Pittsburgh verified. -Whereabouts of ex-wives unknown. Credit and arrest checks on his present wife, ELIZABETH MARGARETTA MC BRIDE HUSICK, nee SPENCER, negative. No record of HUSICK as holder of wagering stamp. Records of U. S. Narcotics Bureau describe him as "opium smoker" in 1949, -RUC- This document contatné neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. HW 45376 Docld:32334029 Page 3
-RMG/gb (2). PG 62- -2(02 Inquiry of DOLSO SOLARI at 500 ‘South Lang, ‘St. _disclosed ‘that he purchased the apartment building at 6756". Mc Pherson Boulevard during late 1954 through a- “Inquiry, of HOWARD ANTES, . Penn ‘Ave., “Wilkinsburg, “Pas: disclosed that.the owner of ‘the. puilding at 6756 Mc Pherson Boulevard.prior to 1954 was PATRICK J. CONWAY, whe resides at 858 E. Hutchinson Ave.; Edgewood, Pa. Mr. PATRICK J, CONWAY, 358 Rast ‘Hutchinson. “AVE. » ‘Edgewood, advised. that he purchased the apartment at 6756 Mc Pherson Boulevard during 1953 and that to the best of his recollection: no one occupied any of the apartments by the .. Name. of HUSICK...Mr.. CONWAY further stated that he. maintained “ne -rental receipts. or any other records concerning ‘his ~~ rentals. ‘of: this property and that he knew of no one presently in the Pittsburgh area who would be in a ° position. to advise as: to #he occupancies \ of the property uring. A953: “On. September’. 8, 1961, Mr. GEORGE EMRICH; Investigator. ‘for Us. Se Narcotics. Bureau, Federal Building, advised that records of his office reflect that on January -28; 1949, - BENJAMIN HUSICK,, who. had robbed a bank in Wilkinsburg, Paes in, AGH was an opium smoker. a1 _ HOWARD ANTES, located on Penn Ave. in Wilkinsburg, HW 45376 DoclId: 32334029 Page 4