AS ' of Illindis,in order that Infelice might be allowed to ' Lyons, Illinois. Infelice was also interested in opening | a gambling operation in Berwyn, T1linois, in a Village of Berwyn sponsored building. -.. . SO . vote (PCI George Vydra to SA Ralph R. Hill, Jr.) On December 30, 1962; a confidential source | FA ‘advised that on. the night pédicone's Restaurant . \ purned down, Salvatore alon'%Be Rose contacted Joe gaccardi at the Fifth Jack Lourge and asked Accardi to L fresae Out to Pedicone's as soon as possible. This contact occurred at about 8:00 p.m. on the night of the fire. (CG 6512-CTE) The ‘Chicago* Ss American": dated January 3, 1963, contained an article entitled, "Mob's Arson Racket Hinted in Cafe Blazes."'. The article stated that the State Fire Marshal's Office had begun investigating a suspected “erime syndicate arson racket in the west suburbs. It -was learned that William J, Cowhey, State Fire Marshal, suspects hoodlum involvement in a score of restaurant and tavern fires since 1961 and -had ordered his staff. ' to look for evidence connecting the blazes with fire- insurance payments. Chief targets of the Fire Marshal's . investigation, according to the article, are Ernest: ; 4 "Rocky" Infelice, 41, crime syndicate enforcer and ex-convict; and John Tano, a minor figure with an arrest record. Tano, 48, claims to be owner of Pedicone's Restaurant, 7729 43rd. Street, Lyons, which burned mysteriously January 1, 1963, at night,. causing an estimated $100,000 damage. Infelice, according to the article, has been. named by employees of various restaurants as the behind- the-scenes boss of three restaurants that have gone up -in smoke since January, 1961, according to police, The restaurants are: .€1) ‘The North Avenue Steak House, 8500 North . . ,Avenue, Melrose Park, which burned under mysterious circumstances January 29, 1961, causing $113, 000 damage. so (2) The Lido Motel and Guest House Restaurant, _ . 2415 North Mannheim Road, Leyden Township, which were. partly destroyed in a $100,000 blaze December 26, 1962, The nominal owner, Jack Newman, 62, died of a. heart attack during the. fire. | HW 45760 Docld: 3272789864 Page 2? open gambling in his new restaurant, Pedicone's Restaurant, '|_ a pa ~* oe
aed Tano admitted that the owners of record were his sister and her husband. Tano is the second restaurant operator to die of an apparent heart attack in connection with a recent fire. The first was Jack Newman, 62, who died while watching the Lido Motel-Guest House Restaurant in Leyden ' Township, partly destroyed in a $100,000 fire December 26th. Information was received from a confidential source on December 28, 1962, that the fire at the Lido Motel on the night of December 25, 1962, was an arson | job either personally handled by Rocky Infelice and his associates or by someone hired by them. Informant stated that they had already made arrangements prior to the fire, to take over the Golden Host, located on Mannheim Road, a Short distance away from the Lido Motel. Informant further stated that Americo Di Pietto, a close associate of Rocky Infelice and active in the operation of the Guest House at the Lido Motel, recently made the remark that the Guest House fire "took 40 gallons of gasoline". (CG 6407-C, 12/28/62, to SA LENARD A. WOLF) During May, 1962, a.confidential informant of the Chicago Office advised that the Guest House, located on Mannheim Road in Franklin Park, Illinois, was extremely "hot" as a result of publicity received following the Scavo brothers killing. Informant further advised that Rocky Infelice was at that time acting as maitre-de at Pedicones in Lyons, Illinois, and had begun his duties on April 28, 1962. : It is to be noted that during May, 1962, Phillip Scavo, his brother,and a female were murdered in gangland style in Elmwood Park, Illinois. Information furnished by -- various: confidential sources of. the Chicago Office reveal that all three victims had been seen frequently at the Lido Motel and. Guest Lounge in Franklin Park, Illinois. (CG 6512-C-TE in 5/62 to SA DENNIS W. SHANAHAN) 13 HW 45760 Docld: 3272789864 Page 3
eee) Information has been confidentially received from various sources that Di Pietto and Infelice are known underworld characters who are associated with numerous members of the gangster element and that both had financial interests in the North Avenue Steak House, which was mysteriously burned January 29, 1961, and Pedicones Restaurant, which burned mysteriously January 1, 1963. The Guest House was reportedly a hangout for thieves £ burglars which included James "Cowboy" Mirro, Tony#f'Antonio, who resided at the Lido Motel with his wife in Rodém 59, — and James "Turk Torello. cca enact ante FA bet OM PERS RET eS TER a (CG 6512-C-TE, CG 6407-C, Sandy Smith, "Chicago Tribune" Crime Reporter) Et North Avenue Steak House 8500 North Avenue id Melrose Park, Illinois ; 4 An article appearing in "Chicago's American" dated January 3, 1963, revealed that the State Fire Marshal's office had begun investigating a suspected crime syndicate arson racket in the west suburbs. The bulk of | information reflected in this article may be found above. under the subheading "Guest Lounge Restaurant and Bar, 2415 North Mannheim Road, Leyden Township, Franklin Park, Illinois". One of the chief targets of the probe was the North Avenue Steak House, 8500 North Avenue, Melrose Park, Illinois, which burned under mysterious circumstances ~ January 29, 1961, causing $113,000 damage. Ernest "Rocky" Infelice, crime syndicate enforcer and ex-convict, and John Tano, a minor figure with an arrest record, were being sought by investigators at the time of the article. . During 1961 Carl Schultz, Bureau of Labor-Management Reports, United States Department of. Labor, Chicago, Illinois, furnisheG& information to the Chicago Office advising that the No¢th Avenue Steak House, operated by Charles "Chuck" Nitolgtti was a former hangout for "Cowboy" Mirro and Gu Ve apas, who are members of the Chicago underworld, . . JIM 414 ‘NW 45760 Docld: 3272789864 Page 4
lw 45760 5 : a C | C During February, 1962, a confidential source of the Chicago Office advised that Ernest "Rocky" Infelice was in trouble with the "outfit" over money owed to them and as a result the “outfit" burned down Infelice's steak ' house located 8500 West North Avenue. Infelice reportedly had a large outstanding "juice" loan with Sam DeStefano, prominent Chicago loan shark. . (CG 6560-PC, 2/7/62) Docld: 3272789864 Page 5
Cc ne Concerning Sa e Stefano, 1656 North Sayre, ee Illinois, information COntiden ially récéived during’ April, 960, that De Stefano has a proclivity for setting fires in fits of rage over incidents which he considers personal insults or as a method of disiplining recalcitrant associates or customers. who are delinquent in payments of "juice loans". In .1960, De Stefano threw a naptha bomb in a bedroom window of the home of Chicago Attorney Robert Mc Donnell which caused a fire resulting in . considerable damage. De Stefano did this as a result of the fact that Mc Donnell was delinquent in payments on a "juice loan" which he hdd made of De Stefano. De. Stefano has been suspected of many crimes of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, and similar type crimes by the Chicago Police Department. He is regarded as the leading "juice man" in this area in that he lends out vast sums at exorbitant and usurious rates of interest. He is also believed to finance burglars and thieves in turn for a percentage of their scores. wet ’ It has been reported that De Stefano is emotionally - unstable and most excitable. Many occurrances which would not disturb a normal person are said to put De Stefano into fits of rage during which time he is liable to committ crimes of violance ‘Police Department, advised during December, 1962, that_King ¢ a former professional prize fighter, and his brother, £ “Solomon is very closely associated with Cowboy Mirro, Rocky Infelice and Americo Di Pietto, Chicago west side hoodlums, who : have been associated with Pedicones Restaurant, the Guest House, i and the North Avenue Steak House. According to Captain Duffy, 7 © the Solomon brothers are reported to be arson and bombing suspects i \ in the Chicago area, however, has no information concerning any i specific bombing ogy fire. The Solomon brothers have a brother 4 known as Williay argon, who is a fire loss insurance adjustor, i and whose activiti€sS are believed to be connected with King and { Tim Solomon. i HW 45760 Docld:32289864 Page 6 far outweighing the reason for his anger. oe" RK Act 6 (4) / — (PCI to: 4) Specia gen lliam F. Roemer) i) Captain William Duffy, Intelligence Unit, Chicago c a x --—_—~ weet oe ee oe ee a _ mame”
Silver Spur Cocktail Lounge - 4700 West Cermak Road Acer On Illinois Pad “The "Chicago Daily News" in an article dated January 9, 1963, reported that the Silver Spur Cocktail Lounge, Cicero, Illinois, experienced a fire at their establishment on December 10, 1962. ‘The damage to this lounge, according to the newspaper, was estimated to .be $50, 000,00 as a result of the fire, ‘Information received confidentially during oo March, -1960 revealed that. the Silver Spur, 22nd and 47th Avenue, Cicero, Illinois, was a known gambling place’ under. the control. of Chicago hoodlum Rocco Fischetti. oe (PCI Edward Korsiak to - $A. L.A. Wolf): An article. in .the "Chicago. American" on August i, 1961, captioned “Cicero's Girlie Shows’ Cook Off in the — "Heat''"', revealed that the Silver Spur,. 4700 Cermak. Road, Cicero, was a place where "B drinking" flourished. “During April, 1962, the: Illinois iaquor Control Commission advised that State Retail Liquor License No. R=+19772, issued to William and Shirly Vasiliades, doing business as Silver Spur Lounge, was suspended for a period of ten days to bégin on May 6, 1962 and end on May 16, 1962 for having wagering on. the premises in violation of the Liquor Control Act. An application for a rehearing in the matter was denied by the Commission. ‘During January, 1963, Deputy Illinois State Fire Marshal A, Dineen Best advised that a $50,000.00 fire occured at the Silver Spur Cocktail Lounge, 47! 0 Cermak Road, Cicero, Illinois on December, 9; 1962 at 3:55 PsM. He said this ‘was a tavern and gambling joint owned by Shirly Vasiliades ‘and the Intelligence Unit of the’ Chicago Police Department has information concerning hers He advised that there was _ no insurance on the tavern, however, the building was insured for $32,500. . The beneficiaries. were Jimmy Castridta,’ ° William Indelli ‘and James Campanale with no trust arrangement. He said the building was under-insured, and it was determined that the fire was caused by a faulty gas heater, 26 HW 45760 DoclId:32289864 Page ?f
( , C) “ * / > i a on January 9, 1963, it was reported that flammable liquid had. been found by firemen in the ruins of the Cordial ~ Lounge. - A confidential source reported on June 8, 1960, that Dave Brown was the operator of the Cordial Lounge, 7714 West Touhy, and further advised that "numerous hood- lums, including some of the top syndicate figures", reportedly frequent the Cordial Lounge. . (CG 5989-C) On January 17, 1963, Bob May, Special Agent in Charge, National Board of Fire Underwriters, Chicago, Illinois, advised that an investigation conducted regarding the fire at the Cordial Lounge, 7714 West Touhy, Chicago, on April 11, 1962, located a seven and a half gallon milk carton containing gasoline and kerosene mixture, which was. found after the fire was extinguished. Arson suspicion was directed at Dave Brown, operator of the Cordial Lounge. Investigation including polygraph examination of insured, failed to disclose knowledge of fire origin. Further it was determined that the immediate neighborhood where the Cordial was located was irate over the Cordial's operations and an injunction was obtained against the club's operations even after neighborhood voted "dry". Eden Roc (Tavern) 6426 South Ashland Avenue Chicago, Illinois ‘Robert May, National Board of Fire Insurance Underwriters, Chicago, Illinois, on January 17, 1963, . advised that the Eden Roc Tavern, 6426 South Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, was operated by Gedeminas Sakevicius, 1231 . South Green Street, Calumet Park, Illinois. The owner of the property was Frank Gnadl, 7825 South Nagle, Chicago, Illinois, with Christine Brooks Marbock as the title holder. This establishment burned July 8, 1962, at iw 45760 Docld:322769364 Page @
. , . . 7 . . . . ae e~. . . . C) * y : . ‘ HW 45760 - (Departmental Attorney Ben Brooks, who furnished information from transcript. of Federal Grand Jury testimony) ; A form letter from the Joint Welfare Committee for the Pointers, Cleaners, and Caulkers of Local 52, dated May 16, 1955, was signed Thomas J. Bowler, Chairman, — (Furnished by Mr. William E. Burger, 144 West 47th Street, “Chicago, Iilinois) An anonymous letter dated May 16, 1958, to the. United States Attorney, Chicago, states in part: "J know Gallagher owns the Beverly Manor Woods Restaurant. The man who is supposed to be the owner is, just a front for Gallagher. The ‘front' is Thomas Boler or ‘Bowler." I knew Boler many years ago,and he didn't have a dime, He was -a point tucker in the building trade. ‘That restaurant must be worth a quarter '_’ of a ‘million dollars and Boler couldn't be the owner - Gallagher is.". On. November 29, 1957, Edward shops fos of the Pointers, Cleaners, and ’ Caulkers™ nion, Local 52, was put on two years’. probation, fined $1,000 and costs, and given a six-month suspended jail sentence for diverting $98,000 in union welfare funds. Federal Judge Walter J.. La Buy who . sentenced Gallagher said an investigation showed he did not benefit from the diverted funds but gave them to friends and union members, (Records of ‘the Clerk of the Federal District Court, Chicago, reviewed 12/2/57 by SAC. LEONARD TREVIRANUS ) The Kefauver Hearings of 1951. developed: information that the Beverly Manor Woods Restaurant, 11532. South Western ‘Avenue, was alleged to be owned by Edward J. Gallagher, former ba 4-4-MIb2 DoclId: 3272789864 Page 9 JEK Law ]10(a)2 7 vo “
~~ | i | HW 45760 . A form letter from the Jolat Welfare Committes for the Pointers, Cleaners, and Caulkers of Local 52, dated May 16, 1053, was eigned Thouas 3. Bowler, Chaimuan. co. Ag anonymous letter dated May 16, 1958, te the Vaated States Attorney, Chicage, estates An part: i % know Gallagher owns the Beverly Maner Soods Restaurant. Fhe man who ia suppesed te be the owner is juet a front fer Gallagher. The *great’ is Ghemas Bolor er "Bewler.° I knew Soler many years age and he didn’t have a Gino. He was a point tucker ia the taiidiag trade. That restaurant must be worth a quarter ere million dollars and Boler coulda’t be the owner lingher is." ——i“‘<s;”:s OR Kovembor 20, 1057, Edward g. Gallagher, President ag the Pointers, Cleaners, and Caulkers Enion, Lecal 52, was pat on two years’ probation, fined $1,000 and costs, and giver & sizemonth suepanded jail sentence for diverting $08 , 009 4m union welfare funds. Yederal dudge Waiter J. La Buy who sentenced Gallagher gaid an iavestigation shevwed be did not benefit fren tho diverted funds but gave them to friends . and union membors. = the Kofauver Hearings of 1052 doveloped information that the Beverly Manor Weeds Restaurant, 11833 South Western Avenue, was alleged to be owned by Edward J. Gallagher, former a IAD \ gO Docld: 322789864 Page 10
& form letter : fram the doit Welfare Committes for the Pointers, Cleanera, and Caulkers of Local ‘88, dated Hay 16, 1983, was signed Themas sa Bowler, Chaa x TORT anonymous letter dated May 16, 1958, t@ the Galted states ASCornsy, Chicago, states fin part: "“Z know Gallagher owns ‘the Beverly Hanor Goods Restaurant. The man who ia supposed te be the owner io gust a front for Gallagher. fhe ‘front’ ic Thomas. Bolor or "Bewler.® 2 knew Soler many years age and he dida’t have @ Gime, fe wae a point tucker in the building trade. That restaurant must be worth a quarter of a miliden dolia eS and Beler eouldn’t be the quner = Gallagher is.” Cn Nevember 29, 1957, Eaward g. Gallagher, paves deat ef the Pointers, Cleaners, and Caulkers Unies, Local 82, put on tgo years’ probation, fined 61,000 and costs, and d given @ Sitementh sugpended jail sentence for diverting $86,000 as union welcare funds. Yederal Judge Walter J. La Buy who eutensed Gallagher said an investigation sahewed he did aot banogit fren the ‘diverted funds but gave them toe friends and union mombers, — Tho Kofauver Boaringa of 1852 developed information that the Beverly Maney Weeds Restaurants, 11533 Seuth Yeatern Aveaud, was alleged to be eened by Bdvard 3. Gallagher, former | |  6-4- G -116D 31 “Ss Nokes | 45760 Docld:322769364 Page 11
In December, 1962, information was confidentially received as follows: Approximately three years ago the proprietor of Kirie’s Restaurant was contacted ‘regarding the . unionization of the restaurant employees by the Bartenders, Restaurant and Club Employees Union; Local 450, AFL-CIO, ‘Cicero, Illinois. John Lardino, Organizer for Local 450, made this contact, and the restaurant owner refused to’ permit a check-off system for the union and told Lardino not to come back. .No subsequent contact was made. by any Lapeer union representative. This source noted that the bombing oe , vwas possibly" related to further union activity and the” : bombing was intended as a "warning to Kirie.". In addition, .. this. source explained that James Kirie is. Vice President and a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Restaurant ‘Association, and Kirie is outspoken in-his opposition to. hoodlum control or ‘operation of restaurants and has consistently opposed any hoodlum payoffs by the Association or its members. This source was of the opinion that the bombing of Kirie's Restaurant could also be possibly related to Kirie's activities in the Association and the probability Kirie will be the next president of the Chicago Restaurant Association. Further, this source noted that Kirie is the Democratic ‘ Committeeman for Leyden Township, Illinois, and has been. active in local and state politics for over 25 years. During the November, 1962,, election campaign Kirie actively opposed the candidacy of Elmer Conti for State Treasurer on the Republican slate and was, to a great extent, responsible for the defeat of Conti. -In opposing Conti, Kirie made. a number of enemies. as a result of his actions. oan . (CG 6277- Cc) The "Chicago Daily News" on January 9, 1963, carried an article regarding cafe bombings and fires in. the Chicago area. According to the article, Kirie's Restaurant, 2826 Thatcher, River Grove, Illinois, was. damaged in the _amount of $200.00 from a black powder bomb. Owner, James: ~ Kirie, Leyden Township, Democratic Committeeman, blamed his opposition to gambling and vice as the apparent. motive for. the bombing. The restaurant has non-union employees, . LC according to the article. “ ; \ - iW 45760 Docld: 3272789864 Page 12 4
. 5 . . ’ . vat . : _ : - — f . ’ eo \ : ‘ ‘ _ ps rs Best stated that his investigation has disclosed nething of value concerning: the motive or reason as to why this fire was set. It is his opinion that it is definitely an arson type fire inasmuch as the glass bottles of gasoline were located in the building.. Best disclosed that he determined from one of his sources in 1961 that there was a new operator of the . Manor Lounge, and as far as he could determine this individual. was a Greek American byvthe name of Jim Karubus _ (phonetic). Best stated that he closed this case for lack of evidence inasmuch as nothing has been accomplished as’ to the identity of the three men who apparently set fire to the lounge. During August, 1962, a confidential source advised the Chicago Office’ of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that Rocco Pranno, also known as "Jimmy" Pranno who reportedly controls gambling and other rackets in the Stone Park area, owns the Manor Lounge. According to the source, Pranno flashed a large roll of bills (money) which he said he picked up. from the Manor Lounge. This.source also advised | that one Don Hanke, a "flunky" for Pranno, has been going around Stone Park indicating that he is the owner of the’ Manor Lounge and that the lounge is registered under his name. BO cect sent *° - SA Roy F. Rodman \ vo — September, 19 oo . y During September, 1962, a confidential source advised the Chicago Office of the Federal Bureau of ~ Investigation that Rocco Pranno told the Stone Park ~ Police Department to close the Manor Lounge at 3: 00 AM, (it reportedly has license to remain' open longer). This source advised that. Pranno appeared to be quite upset inasmuch as he reportedly remarked that his employees at the Manor Lounge were fighting them. It should be noted that €Chief:dofcFolice AndrewSignorello’ is reportedly a relative of Rocco Pranno’ s. ‘cr Ito SA Roy F. Rodman, September, 1962) ne ; ‘ | HW 45760 Docld:322769364 Page 13 ~
Gh me a _ During December, 1962, a confidential source advised that it was his epinden that Rocco Pranno owns the Manor Lounge. Cotential Criminal Informant nn «--[L______|to Special Agent JFK Act 6 (4) Roy F. Rodman! December, 1962) 43 | HW 45760 Docld:322769364 Page 14
Foremost Liquor Store 2240 Sktbley Boulevard Dixmoor, Illinois On. January 7, 1963, Chief Matt Roemer, Harvey, . Illinois, Police Department, advised that the Foremost. Liquors Store at 2240 Sibley Boulevard in Dixmoor, Illinois, suffered severe explosion damage on that date. Chief Roemer stated that the damage was caused by at least ten sticks of dynamite placed individually along the inside east and west walls of the building. He said he had heard rumors that this establishment was bombed to prevent its owner, Michael La Pota, from testifying in a Federal Theft From Interstate Shipment case in Chicago. He could furnish no specific basis for the rumor or the source of the rumor. It is pointed out that La Pota is the subject of a Theft From Interstate Shipment case involving hijacked whiskey, and that he recently entered a plea of guilty. On the day of the explosion, La Pota was charged with assault and battery in a State warrant for . striking a newspaper photographer, and attempting to destroy his camera equipment, while this photographer was attempting to take photographs at the scene of the bombing. About one week prior to the explosion, information was confidentially received that there was an excess amount of wastepaper and other inflamable debris in the Foremost Liquor Store. As a result of this debris, the premises were considered to be a fire hazard, and the matter was being turned over to insurance companies for possible cancellation of insurance policies. , , €CG 6491-C to Special Agent Thomas W. Parrish) During January 1963, Robert May, Special Agent in Charge, National Board of Fire Underwriters, advised that | La Pota has insurance policies amounting to $180,000.00 and a $36,000.00 business interuption policy. He added that it is possible that there may be additional insurance which has not yet been located. May further advised that he has information that La Pota with an unnamed known arsonist drove to Florida in the summer of 1962. Shortly afterwards, La Pota's mother's home in Florida was destroyed by fire. 44 | MF 45760 Docld:322769364 Page 15