JFK Assassination System Date: 4/27/201 Identification Form Agency Information AGENCY: FBI. RECORD NUMBER: = 124-10300-10087 RECORD SERIES: HQ AGENCY FILENUMBER: CR 62-75147-29-630 Document Information ORIGINATOR: FBI FROM: SAC,MM TO: DIRECTOR, FBI TITLE : DATE: = 12/08/1955 “PAGES: 31 SUBJECTS : NRO, ASSOC, CRIM ACT; MAFIA FAMILIES, MEETING DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT CLASSIFICATION: — Unclassified RESTRICTIONS: 4 CURRENT STATUS: —Redact DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 05/04/1998 e OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE i. ' COMMENTS : INC RPT eC v9.1 20 Docld: 32309721 Page 1
ee, 7 ANI ‘Div ISiON ** S89 a5 aus Enclosed herewith‘are four copies of the Miami ELamnual Report for the period from June 1, 1955, An extra copy of this report is being furnished au for ‘transmittal via diplomatic pouch to the tache at Havana, Cuba. Our experience has shown aexous hoodlums from the South Florida area regularly on Havana, Cuba and Miami and Tampa, Florida, Three epics of the section pertaining to the Miami _ ai uere previously submitted to the Bureau by letter dated December 6,'1955. It igs Suggested that the Bureau may be — - “desirous.:of destroying the three copies of the Miami séction ‘ ' inasmuch as the instant GIIF reports are complete and contain /~ . ‘the: same material sent on December 6, 195% ° 2-- Bureau 1 - Miami 62-1273 ) we v7 2 ae’ Fe) 30, WO 2 pe RECORDED - § oe . ‘ef a af ° nan ay ¢ ; . Docld: 32309721 Page 2 | a 2D omber 8, 1955 fits Maas, (62-2273), ee a ae i tt 7 | g f \ 64-7 S107-2 0. be) > oe H ( : 4 “ ¢ 1
~Vr MM 62-1273 JIG:fjh GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE INTELLIGENCE FILE a BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA JUNE 1, 1955 TO DECEMBER 1, 1955 The following information was obtained during the course of regular investigation by Special Agents JOSEPH I. GREALY, DENNIS Je O'SHEA and BEN W. GRIGSBY: A. ORGANIZED GANGS | ; Investigation and contacts with informants and” sources of information have failed to give any indication ~ that there are any organized gangs in Broward County at the present time. ‘On July 9, 1955, NM-322-0. advised saw aap enser Hollywood, Florida, had flown from Miami to. Havana »-Cuba j on” ° July 8, 1955, to join his brother, MEYER LANSKY, # 791783, 24. who had proceeded to Cuba from New York City; PE AKA Cuts of New Orleans; and other unidentified syndicate enbers. “from SE Las Vegas, Nevada. informant stated that a meeting was currently being held at Havana whereby these members of the National Crime Syndicate were considering the purchase of a hotel or a gambling casino in Havana. On July 22, 1955, MM-551=PC advised’that MEYE NSKY had been in Havana, Guba during the early part of July, 1955, OZ a for two reasons: (1) as a guest of the Cuban Government té LLL. discuss the possibility of his bringing the men into Cuba’to operate ~™ gambling. He explained that BATISTA warited American” tourists in Havana and was concerned.over the strong possibility that "bust-out operations" would keep the American trade away, (2} To look over the possibility of purchasing a hotel in the, heart of Havana for the purposes of operating gambling therein, _ Informant stated that LANSKY had pointed out that it | would be difficult to attract competent men away from Las Vegas, DoclId: 323097271 Page 3 -_- eS —_——— — le ee -—<-— - CUS —- Sed - a ee”
- ‘ MM 62-1273 because most of them had settled down there and were content to stay there. With regard to the second proposition, he stated that LANSKY might go into the purchase of a hotel if he could form a syndicate to put up the money to purchase same. On November 8, 1955, MM-551~PC stated that the LANSKY brothers had still not made any deal whereby they would take over a hotel and operate a gambling casino in Havana, Cuba, He added that they were still discussing ~~ the possibility with a syndicate in New York City, but that no defnite decision had been made to date. B. INDIVIDUAL RACKETEERS AND MOBSTERS It was noted that in contacting informants and ~~ their sources of information, it was repeatedly pointed out that individual racketeers and the mobsters for the most part were not in the area during the past six months in’ view of/the fact that this is the off season for the Florida The "Miami Herald," under date of November 15, 1955, reported that JOE ADONIS had agreed to deport himself by January 1, 1956, and that in return for that move he would be allowed to avoid serving a prison term for perjury. It was pointed out that ADONIS intended to go to Italy. . CLAUDE HARL ERSON Se ‘1309 N, By 178 sAvenue CLAvoe WAasd chien Fort Lauderdale,..Florida apie FBT #755095. CLAY DELSOW ANDERSON continues to operate a bonding business ‘ in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. . . Under date of October 18, 1955, the "Miami Herald” reported that Agents of the Treasury Department Alcohol Tax ~ | 4 - cr DoclId: 323097271 Page 4
MM 62-1273 EHD :mbw 572-0 reports that. cotpyeRge TOR and BUBBLBSXDENNISON, Jocal. gamblers of long standing, are\tied in with LIT NNIE N in. the operation of his holita business. 4 ~ MM 572-C reports that JACK: BUTLER, ment ioned above, -is tied in with the TRAFFIGANTE boys from Tampa , Florida; ho wever,-the exact nature of the tie-up is not known. The informant feels that possibly the TRAFFICANTES are bankrolling BUTLER in his operation. MM 572-C reports that one EDDY PHILLTPSA QUEST, FBI #320853, a hustler, and gambler,is now residingsat the "RIVIERA HOTEL, Holly Hill, Florida. GUEST is reported to be sickly and is "having | a hard time existing. He is reportedly mooching off of JACK BUTLER. Mrs. PAULINE SHEPARD, Daytona Beach Credit Bureau, reported that one ELZA LEEXWORGAN, FBI #2484916, is now residin at New Smyrna_Beach, Florida, d is promoting stock car races -at DeLand, Florida. MORGAN was released on parole from Atlanta Federal Penitentiary in October, 1954, after serving time for ITSMV. - C. POLITICAL TIE-UPS WITH ORGANIZED CRIME: en MM 572-C reports that RAYMOND V:{MeNEMAR, Deputy Sheriff of Volusia. County.,—-Florida has re nt ly, approached several bolita sellers in the city "for a percentage or else," but he knows of no payoff to McNEMAR. D. POLICE EFFICIENCY So HENRY LeROY ALLEN is Chief of Police, Daytona Beach, Florida, and he is reported to be having trouble with internal bickering among members of the department. Mayor FRANCIS MORRISON reported that ALLEN was on the verge of being ousted; but to date no positive action has been taken by the City Commission. -The Department now. consists of fifty men, there having been several resignations recently due to low starting salaries. — Lt. DALTON SMITH heads the Detective Bureau. and the general reaction of the public is that the police are doing a relatively good job, but there is reported to be much room for improvement. -~19- DoclIda: 323097271 Page 5
aan suey ) MM 62-1273 CJM:1c Miami Beach, Florida, in partnership with MICKEY; GRASSO, FBI # 1164523, a stick-up man from Chicago, Illinois. SAMUEL "STRETOH RUBIN — EBL #4736849 Le e is a hoodlum from New_York. City who has been active. irf Guba_with SALVATORE GRANELLO, FBI # 2120006, and GEOR VINE; FBI_ #382915. RUBIN reportedly is LEVINE's bodyguard and has made numerous trips between Miami and Havana with LEVINE and/or GRANELLO. | pb CofE IRV INK APLOW Che Che f LA , This bookmaker, originally from New York City, *  ’ made several trips to Miami during the summer of 1955 in connection with the gambling charge which was outstanding against him for being active in the operation of a bookmaking establishment and "bust out" gambling casino at thadEmpress . Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida. He recently advised that the local authorities have dropped the charges against him and that he plans’ to go to Los Angeles, California, for the winter months, and hopes to book at the Santa Anita Racing Meet with a bookmaker from New York known as ARNOLD. ARNOLD was not further identified. BENJAMIN SUWEISS, alias "Big Hearted Benny” . ° ‘ _#. A-18S" . Miami Beach PD This individual resides at 5205 Alton Road, Miami Beach, Florida. He is a card cheater who is known as the . largest Operator of bingo games in the country; being partic- ularly active in carnivals during the summer months. He has also operated bingo in Havana, Cuba, and, according to ; MM-501-C, is to operate bingo in New Jersey, where the Informant reported this. game was recently legalized. ’ - Th - a DoclId: 32309721 Page 6
} MM 62-1273 . CJMzlc Lieutenant BRUCE SIMMONS and Detective Sergeant ARTHUR H. LEONARD (NA) have continued during the past six months to afford excellent cooperation to this office. Generally speaking, it appears that this Department has continued to improve in organization, discipline and morale. During the period covered by this report there has been no wide-open gambling and there has been a definite absence of open bookmaking and other forms of vice. Sneak gambling, such as betting on horses and sporting events, has continued, but no évidence has come to the attention of this office indicating that there is an organized pay off to the Police Department, or "okay" from the Police Department for the operation of such. There has been the usual speculation that there will be sneak "bust out" gambling houses in operation on Miami Beach during the coming winter season, but as yet in- formation has been non-specific and nothing has been learned which would be indicative ef police venality in this matter.,. The only data which has come to our attention which would make us skeptical of the integrity of Chief ROMEO J. SHEPARD was a report received in August, 1954, by the New York Office from its informant, NY-204-C, who has furnished reliable information in the past. This was to the effect that NY=-204-C advised that he had become quite friendly with SALVATORE GRANELLO, FBI # 2120006. In the course of conversations with GRANELLO, this hoodlum mentioned various contacts he had - in Miami and Miami Beach. The informant stated that GRANELLO particularly mentioned having a “big in" with Chief of Police SHEPARD at Miami Beach. According:to the informant, GRANELLO stated that SHEPARD was the “bag man" in Miami Beach, and .~ GRANELLO stated he had eaten dinner with Chief SHEPARD on a. few occasions. The informant furnished this information in connection with the investigation of the matter entitled, "NCARMINEXDI BIASE, was., - FUGITIVE, UFAP - MURDER." GRANELLO is report “the ¢losest associate of this fugitive and is suspected of having harbored him. _— ee ~ 78: we DoclId: 32309721 Page 7
7 . OU MM 62-1273 v GONTAS out of Tarpon Springs. He said MACK ANDERSON has formerly headed up SAGONIAS outfit in St. Petersburg, but that he has been unable to establish to date whether or not such an organization does exist. It should be noted, as will be set forth later, SAGONIAS is due to enter Federal Prison any day. YERGONTAS of three or four unknown writers under NICK Detective QUILLIGAN further advised that it is diffi- eult to determine which writer is writing for which organiza= tion because there is indication that they are. changing from one Broup to another fairly frequently. He said that some of the names furnished above have been convicted and served a re few months time in the past year and are out again, some are © waiting sentence, some are in but will be out shortly, however, all are known bolita writers and undoubtedly will be in oper- ation from time to time in these groups. MM-16-¢ has advised that to the best of his know= ledge the following groups are operating bolita in the St. Petersburg-Pinellas County area. Group number one is the TRAFFICANTEs. MM-416-C states that he believes the TRAFFI- .- \\ PANTEs are still operating through ANDR IGHT , JOSEPH . \k YANT and possibly ALFRED HILBXPOOLE, all of whom were con-" icted with the TRAFFICANTEs éa y in 1955 and who have : appeals pending in Supreme Court of Florida. This informant stated that he believes approximately 80% of the TRAFFICANTE peddlers: who were operating at the time of the mass raids in May, 1954 are still peddling bolita. Group number two is the FABIAN group.. The informant states that he believe is group is operating in St. Péeters=- burg with TONY and JER OPEZ as their pick up men. “He says that they have about'en writers in St. Petersburg, put 2/)- that the peddlers are not being contacted directly. He was f unable to. furnish additional information regarding this group at this time. Group number three; MM+-416-C states that this “is: the NICK SAGONIAS group, however, NICK SAGONIAS is due to" enter the Federal Correctional Institute, Tallahassee, Florida - 123 - 4 we DocId: 32309721 Page 8 Se eae
Be esas Fe ON tas DoclIda: 323097271 Page 9 any day now and that his old operation is being run in northern Pinellas County by a Greek bar operator in Clearwater, who is not otherwise known to the.informant. This group, ’ accord- ing to informant, had one pick up m n St. Petersburg and ndling their overlay through JOBYP Sands Bar, Tampae.f/4, | | MM 62-1273 | | LESCIA, operating from j is operated by TONY "HALF PIN AGNINA, nephew of RED ITALIANO, out of Tampa, Florida, o is acting as pick up man in St. Petersburg for ite combination in Tampa. CAGNINA The fourth group PINES CAE to informant, MM-416-C, sup osedly hangs aro olfe's Restaurant, St. Petersburg. “/. rs hursday or Friday night to make his pick ups. Further details of this operation are unknown to this informant, to date. ° 7 EZ] he. | On November 14, 1955 GEORGEARABTAN brother of —— mmsornadeterA one of Tampa's most notoriaus.gamblers, was VER arrested Tampa.. In a.search of his. apartment evidence ~~ was seized showing a tie-up\with bolita operations in:St. Petersburg. This arrest was supposed to have been made as | «- a result. of a combined investigative effort of the Pinellas t. : -County Sheriff's Office and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. There were reportedly about 1,000 tickets which were lay over bets from the St. Petersburg area, indicating a large operation in St. Petersburg. Concerning FABIAN's arrest, Detective Sergeant HARRY DIETRICH of the St. Petersburg. Police Department stated to the newspapers "FABIAN's organization is the largest threat we §  — have here in St. Petersburg, second only to the’ TRAFFICANTEs, The TRAFFICANTE gang grossed a million dollars yearly before their conviction in Pinellas County of lottery law violations." PETE BENSE, PCI, advised that during the past sev-- eral months the TRAFFICANTEs had an operation in northern ~ Pinellas which had been knocked off by the Sheriff's Office and that it was no longer active. He said that this’was a . very small operation and the knock off was in the form of a small arrest action. - 124 -
MM 62-1273 GENUNG stated that GASPAR LA MOTT is operating a combination with-MRS. JOHN IPPOLITO, wife of "STRAW HAT. JOHNNY" IPPOLITO, who is now serving'a sentence after convic- tion in United States District Court, Tampa, on a wagering stamp violation. Chief Criminal Deputy GENUNG advised that with the break up of these three combinations there is little activity right now in Clearwater and northern Pinellas County area, ‘but that he expects an immediate renewal any day. ‘ GENUNG stated that early in 1955 the Sheriff's Office was using the technique of obtaining search warrants for meonshine to make bolita cases. He stated that this — arose from moonshine activity on the part of bolita operators after the conviction of the TRAFFICANTEs in Pinellas County in the spring of 1955 and the resultant decline in bolita sales. He stated that this was successful for a period but was changed after several arrests. GENUNG advised that within the past month he has been contacted twice by PETE BENSE, bondsman, Clearwater, “ a PCI of this office, hinting that is a "local" man were operating the bolita there would be less criticism from the population and enforcement would be easier if arrangements could be made for regular arrests and fines be levied.” — GENUNG stated that he did not know BENSE's principal as he had clearly advised that nothing such as this plan would even be considered by Sheriff SID SAUNDERS or by himself, GENUNG. . - As set forth earlier it should be recailed that PCI PETE BENSE advised that he had obtained $300 000° at.::2% . interest to use in his business operations and also stated”” that he intended to back Justice of the Peace ED SILK in the approaching Sheriff's campaign. BENSE also made the state=> . ment that “what..was..good for PETE BENSE would have to be good’ for Pinellas County." | , - . All violations indicated in this report have “been: referred to the preper authorities for investigative action, DoclId: 32309721 Page 10
( ASTRETTA FET FBI " $1063305,. JO GO, Hillsborough Gounty S$ MM 62-1273 .Such.as doctors, lawyers, dentists and professional people will all go before the Grand Jury and state there is no Mafia with the purpose in mind that they all feel the Italian people are hurt by allegations of a Mafia. It is specifically noted that hereinafter, informa- tion reported concerning any crimes or local situations have been reported to authorities having investigative jurisdiction. ‘A. ORGANIZED GANGS 4 The organized gang as reported in the GIIF for many yy years at Tampa, Florida consisting of SANTO TRAFFICANTE and his brothers, still continues. . is organized gang actually consists of ANTHONYJand JBANE LECIDUE, AUGUSTINE ca riff's “Office No.. 1 at 5 NCEEO EDARE, FBL #1849088 and SALVATOBEYSCAGLIONE , FBI #3552208, RISCIA, FBI #689739; JOE RRONE , eaters ten . / This group, over the many years, has been alleged to vo operate bolita, numbers racket and to have been associated. ina group commonly referred to as the Mafia. The activity during this period for the above, namely concerns their allegations of being members of the Mafia and to have substantially backed NICK C. NUCCIO to the office of Mayor and the Italian group thereby would have controlled Tampa a politics. The allegations were made that the head of this group is now SALVATORE SCAGLIONE, FBI #355220B, and this allegation was made by Lieutenant DANIEL ALVAREZ; the other head of this group is now ANGELO BEDAMI, FBI #1819088, whom it was alleged by ALVAREZ that the latter two are called "Mr." by the other > Italians in this group, thereby giving them their position of ~: respect in the Italian group. This latter information may be possibly true in that SANTO TRAFFICANTE, JR. has moved his forces according to reliable confidential information received. through CI HAV-1l1 at Havana, Cuba, wherein it has been reported that TRAFFICANTE was operating a numbers racket in the Hot evilla-Biltmore jin Havana. and that he has political backing there in the same manner as previously obtained in Tampa, in that a-law has now been- passed to allow the numbers to operate there. The Sevilla i ltnore Hotel was owned by a = 140 ¢ DoclId: 32309721 Page 11 v
MM 62-1273 SJL:mm:le / tesides in a home owned by Captain WALTER C. HEINRICH, NA, ty / Vice Squad, Police Department. Testimony from SHADLETSKY aa / as noted above by the County Solicitor developed that SANTA is his attorney and that he is allegedly in business with him : in the "Bay Sales Corporation, Buddy Shad Sales," and that he- Ik ; is connected in this business, which ig,the alleged manufacture ;< / ( K./ of doors, with SAM HYMAN and one FREBAHADDOCK. pot surveillances-- of SHADLETSKY determined that he is closely associated with SALVATO NA, with alias, FBI # 1671608; FREDDIE FINK, FBI # 280445; 'JOE PELUSA B Seta, ampa bolita peddler and A ‘ a hoodlum; and SALVATORE J ENZO, EFBI_#.5136882, who is very _ closely associated in the NTO TRAFFICANTE group, above. It . is particularly noted that SHADLETSKY has a long record for narcotics and that-~DANNY LEWIS, New York City PD # B~246389, has a conviction for narcotics, and it has been reliably re- ported that they are setting up in Havana, Cuba,—It is noted that on telephone checks during this period that these individuals have numerous contacts all over the country, and that such in- dividuals also have contacts with SALVATORE GRANELLO, FBI # 2120006, and his partner, GEORGE LEVINE, FBI # 382915, and that these individuals both have operated for many years in Havana Cuba, and New York City, and are considered big-time hoodlums; It is also noted that at this time that in checking GRANELLO'ts telephone records, there are numerous calls to one s amALEIN in Tampa, Florida, and it is particularly noted at’ this' time that SAM KLEIN is a brother. of GEORGE KLEIN, former PCI, and SAM KLEIN has personally advised Special Agent, STEPHEN J. LABADIE that he is without a doubt going to run for Sheriff of Hillsborough County in 1956. It is also personally reported by cEORGBARLE to £4: . Special Agent LABADIE in the past, that he has been’ & close long- time friend with his brother of "STRETCH" RUBIN, who is a gambler in Havana, Cuba, and Miami, Florida, and who is closely associated ye gueh individuals as JONAS BERNARD SCHATTEN, with alias,.FBI 130805B. ie 308 SED AMI FBI_No»,1489088 —— . JOE BEDAMI is the son of ANGELO BEDAMI, and JOE BEDAMI is well knotn to Tampa law enforcement officers as an armed robber Bo INDIVIDUAL RACKETEERS AND MOBSTERS oy Ce DoclId: 32309721 Page 12
AL AANNNMINE WO 3 CRED OF ac PUNO OO A ON UN Rte tet wed ectede al nN. «a An” ae Auf wo oO WN wo et , ot ‘9 eof 8 e a e . @e r. - *. he 6) . me 8® © @ © o © © © @ 6 io) TO oe © 802 © @ © & © mn oe 8 @ © & © &@ & & ef ™ eo *# © © ss @ © @ @ © *_ 2. *® @ © © @ © & Bw oeeeeoe8 8 @ © @ % @ . ~ oe 8c @ © @ @ © & © @ @ ( ‘ ef eae * © © es © 8 / e © ¢ @ %@ @ ad oe e@ @ @ ee¢* e088 *® 8 © © @© &©@ @ #8 * © &© @ 8&8 @ 2 @ e@ @ @ @ ° 9 2 e e ee * 2 ° e @ * e@e?08 8 © @ © © &@ ® +i eo 8 8 © © © © Be © © © OD . e ee -2 ° ° * eo a ° I nat * ee ®@ * © © © # @ @ ra *e«ceeeaet 8s e& © © © s : e* *° © @ @© @ @ 2.0 6 (8 ee 6 © © © © eH oo @: 3 ss 8 © &© @ @ @ 4 s+ * @ . : em «© © © © 6 -5o. ofa L ; fy aS) a ?Z oR © © © oe eM o ‘oN. ; Qa oO moa On 4 ae * 929 03 my meg - GR Aa ay Beet tls ~ N 268 .84°8"9 288 | et rH ss ” 4 ow atime aa area \O SOPSRASERG aa at sfsteteeeetteieictcte =I Five eisivlicloivicseiets LACKEY, Ws Ae. ss 3 h 5150 Lak lil bly 46 5 52 "20 LANSKY, JAKE . 2 2. «© ew eee 140 146 3 ¢ 157,158,161,163,165 s* »5,9,14 5, 73,1h1,142,13%3 ° e e ° s ° e * * e * e * * ae @ e e e e e e 9 e ° ° s e es e ® ° ° ° » ® ° * * ® e * s o e e * e ° e e e * e ° ° e ° e e e e e e ° e * e ° e > e« #® ¢ @ 8 @ @ ® oe ee eee ee ee ew 8 we oe @ 125,126,127 a @ e * e 9 e td ° e e ° e e ° e e e @*:# e ° e e e e * ° e e ° e e e e e o- @ e e e e e e a * e ° ° * e e ° ° e (SEE WILLIAM BLATT) LOBIANCO, JOHN... o ¢ 8 @¢ 6 * ° * © © © © © © @ # @ LONGO, JAMES Cc. . . e ‘e e ° e ° ee e * * Sd ° e eo ¢ « e e (SEE PATSY CATALANNO) LATTURE, J. Ee. “@ ° ° . e eo ¢: @ ® e ° ° e °. * e e ° e bl e ® e (SEE CARMINE GALANTE) DANIEL (DANNY). .. LEWIS, EMMA. « .« ¢ « RALPH H.. . LONGO, JAMES E. JIMMY ... . Page 13 LINDSEY, WILLIAM e ° eo e e e e e' a * ¢ * e * Sd e e e e ° e LONG, GEORGE. 2... ee LONGO, A. Je. LEVINE, GEORGE... 5 6 6 wwe we LEVITT, JULES. . ae LEWIS, 0. ALLEN. o ° » e ® e e ° e ° e e e . e s "LITTLE NAPOLEON" LELOW LEE, DOROTHY . 2. 0 « «© «© we ew wee eo we we wo wow ew ew ew LEE, GENE. « . 2 0 © «©» © 0 © eo © oo wo we 8 we 8 LEE, ARCHIE M. "BIG"... 2... LANEY, MAURICE LANSKY, MEYER. . LE DUC 3 E ° G coe ee 2) LA MOTT, GASPA LANGDALE, E.. LATANO, JOE LEE, LEWIS, DocId: 32309721