Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SU
To: HQ
Document date: 04/16/1959
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hotel.

DATE: 11-14-2017

JFK Assassination System

Date:

4/23/201

Identification Form

Agency Information

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER : 124-90088-10046

RECORD SERIES:

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

CR 62-302-44-2

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

SU

TO: HQ

TITLE:

DATE: 04/16/1959

PAGES:

31

SUBJECTS :

BENJAMIN BINION

CRIMINAL ELEMENT IN BUSINESS FIELD SALT LAKE CITY

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS:

4

CURRENT STATUS:

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 07/14/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS: MEMO

v0.1

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Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

SU 62-2189

7.

CORNELIUS J

Ohio, has been characterized as a™

JONES._ Steubenville,

member of the "Cleveland

Syndicate."

No record of arrests for JONES has been located.

ITAUSNICKRTL

S, PB1mm1223301, 13

associated with the Desert Inn. THis arrest record shows

arrests from 1925 to 1947, primarily for gambling or

possission of liquor.

RUBY KOLOD

18X/198731, 1s the casino

manager of the Desert Inn. His arrest record

"from Ï929 to

1932 included unlawful entry for which he served three years

at the New York State Reformatory; assault and robbery,

disposition not shown; and violation of the National Frohibi-

tion Act, disposition not shown.

Ney.

10.

BERNARD JESS, ROTHKOPI,

another stock-

holder and shift boss at the Desert Inn, was previously

associated with the Brady Lake Amusement Company, Brady Lake,

Ohio.

He is an associate of the "Cleveland Syndicate"

montioned previously. He has no known arrest recard.

11.

HORMAN MILTON

CREENSPUN FBI #290474/23

is the owner and editor of the newspaper The Las Vegas Sun,

Las Vegas, Nevada, and is a stockholder in the Desert Inn.

GREENSPUN

was convicted for the violation of the Neutrality

Act

; for shipping arms to Israel.

Informant CL 157-C advised that the

following individuals were members of the "Cleveland Syndicate

of which MORRIS DALITZ was one of the leaders:

MORRIS, KLINEMAN, aka. MORRIS KLEINMAN

ALRREDXPOLIZZI

CHAR ASS POLIZZI

LOUIS /ROTHKOPH, FBI 1128584 (deceased)

"Game Boy'S MILLER

MORRIS" VEXLER

SANUAL TEAS, lawyer and political fixer

gambler

NATHAN 'WEISENBERG (deceased)

DATEN A RioTus, bank robber

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' Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note) .

DATE: •11-14-2017

SU 62-2189

B.

JOHN

NGERSOLA, owner of Grand Hotel,

Miami

Florida

JOHY CALISE, FBI, #34801L, Labor racketeer

How Influence of

Control Acquired

WILBUR CLARK was a relatively unimportant

gambler in California prior to 1947.

In that

year he came

to Las Vegas where he started construction of

a large hotel

on the "strip,' which is the highway just outside Las Vegas

in the direction of Los Angeles. CLARK formed a corporation

under the name Wilbur Clark, Incorporated, and stock was

issued.

The principals of this corporation were members of

Toward the end

of 1947, construction of the hotel (Desert Inn) was stopped

because of lack of

funds, labor problems, and material

shortages.

In November, 1950, CLARK testified before

the Kefauver Committee at Las

Vegas. He related that progress

on the Desert Inn was virtually stopped from late 1947 to

1949, at which time a man named RODISON brought in KLINEMAN

and DALITZ from Cleveland who arranged to raise money for

completion of the hotel. The Cleveland group acquired

75 per cent ownership, and the remaining 25 per cent was

held by CLARK and some of the original promoters.

The hotel

started operation in April 1950. CLARK became President;

KLINEMAN became Vice President;

and DALITZ became Treasurer.

Informant SU 370-C advised that on

September 10, 1958, CLARK and his Desert Inn associates

took over the hotel portion of the Star Dust Club, which

has more than 1,000 rooms.

The same group also managed

the Royal Nevada Hotel on

October 9, 1958.

The Royal

Nevada Hotel is located adjaceni to

the Star Dust Hotel

and contains about 200 rooms.

The informant said the

Royal Nevada will be operated only as a hotel, without

gambling.

The records of the Nevada State Tax

Commission show that CLARK had a 5 per cent interest in the

Royal Nevada operation.

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SU 62-2189

SU 370-C also advised that CLARK, SAM

TUCKER, and KLINEMAN held a meeting during the week of

October 1, 1958, with a "Pan American group!! At that

time CLARK and his associates sold their interest in the

international gambling casino at the Hotel Nacional in

Cuba®

This informant reported that CLARK and the Desert

Inn group received about $500,000 for that

interest.

With respect to the Star Dust Hotel,

Las Vegas, informant SU 370-C advised the Star Dust had

been promoted by one TONY CORNERO, aka. TONY STRALLA, Who

died

before construction was completed. The venture went

into bankruptcy after his death.

Ver Ill.

JOHN Jake the Barber

and his

wife,

RELLA Crol, took over the operatier arc"put up

money

to complete construction.

This informant said

FACTOR permitted the "Chicago Syndicate" (not further

identified) to obtain an interest in the Star Dust, and

that JOHN DREW is handling the interest of the Chicago group.

DREW was described as the casino manager of the Star Dust

and formerly from Chicago.

Informant LA 400-C furnished information

that the events leading up to the control of the Star

,Dust by the Desert Inn had been a prearranged matter.

This informant related that the FACTORS had been chosen

oy the Desert Inn group to hancle the completion of the

Star Dust Club. Informant said the FACTors could have put

up some of the capital, but that full control would have been

retained by the "Cleveland gambling interests."

c. Degree of Influence

Records of

the Gaming Control Board,

Nevada State Tax Commission,

show that CLARK and the

individuals listed under section A above are the owners and

operators of the Desert Inn and

any other hotel and casino

interests described herein.

These persons, including the

so called "Cleveland Syndicate" were screened by the

Gaming Control Board and were apparently found to be

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SU 62-2189

acceptable on the basis of information known at that time.

The Desert Inn is one of a number of

prominent hotel and gambling spots on the "strip" at

Desert in

Las Vegas. The Star Dust Hotel, since its opening, has

been one of the most successful from the standpoint of

popularity.

who acqutred control aty of the owners of the Desert Tan

the Star Dust Hotel, and who.

successfully promote its operation, might be considered

as some degree of influence by this

group.

D. How Influence is Exercised

No information is available that any

unusual exercise of influence by this group has been used.

Since gambling is a legal business in Nevada,

the operation

of the Desert Inn and other similar ventures

is not considered

to be a business front except to the extent of being an

investment of funds which may have been acquired through

gambling in other states where it is considered illegal.

E.

Illegal Methods of Furthering Business

Interests

No information is available at this time

that the Desert Inn group has used violence of any illegal

means to stifle competition or to further their own business

interests in Nevada.

F. Interlocking Influence of Other Areas of

Industries

Informant CL 157-C furnished information

that MORRIS DALITZ and the "Cleveland Syndicate" had financial

interests in a number of enterprises, including the following:

Ohio Villa, later known as the Richmond

Country Club, Richmond Heights, Ohio

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• DATE: 11-14-2017

SU 62-2189

Thomas Club, Maple Heights, Ohio

Frolies Club, Miami, Florida

Nerchants Cafe, Newport, Kentucly

Freddie's Club, Cleveland, Ohio

Theatrical Grill, Cleveland, Ohio

Buckeye Catering Company, Cleveland, Ohio

The above listed concerns were described

by the informant as gambling spots or hoodlum hangouts.

Informant CL 157-C advised this group

also owned interests in the following concerns which are

believed to be legitimate businesses:

Liberty Ice Cream Company, 836 East 100

Street, Cleveland, Ohio

Clevelal Company, 2410 East 72ad Street,

we so Destr butter Company, 1820 East

one eye me company, toll Payne

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SU 62-2189

The records of the Las Vegas Police:

Department show that WYMAN furnished information on January

5, 1954, that he had been arrested at St. Louis, Missouri,

in 1949, on a postal charge, and that the charge had been

dropped.

On the basis of available information,

WYMAN has not been convicted of a felony.

In December 1953, WYMAN advised SA BRYON

C. WHEELER that he had been previously acquainted with

Lieutenant LOUIS SHOULDERS of the St. Louis, Missouri Police

Department, and that SHOULDERS had been known to take money

from gamblers in the St. Louis area.

An article in the St. Louis Post Dispatch

on August 4, 1950, stated that SIDNEY WYMAN was an associate

of. MickeY coreN,

Los Angeles racketeer, when COHEN was in

st. Louis in July 1950.

SU 283-C (now deceased) advised on August

4, 1955, that BUSTER VORTMAN, St. Louis, Missouri gambler,

had invested money in gambling establishments In/las Vegas.

Informant 371-C said on October 26, 1956, that one EDDIE

O'HARA of St. Louis visited WYMAN in Las Vegas. This inform-

ant said O'HARA is a collector for the Wortman Gang of St.

louis and that WYMAN might be the front man for the Wortman

Gang at the Riviera, Las Vegas.

Riviera Hotel at that time was headed by GUS GREENBAUM.

WILLIAM V. SINNOTT, Nevada Tax Commission,

informed that WYMAN owned a 12 per cent interest in the

Sands Hotel as of July 30, 1952.

On or about May 14, 1955,

he sold his interest in the Sands for an amount reported to

be $120,000 and applied for a gambling license at the Royal

Nevada Casano.

SINNOIT said that on June 14, 1955, WYMAN

owned 25 per cent of the Royal Nevada Hotel.

He stated

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Released.under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note).

• DATE: 11-11-2017

SU 62-2189

FRANK ARQUILLA and RAY/ARQUILIA,

San

JOSE,

Californta, Turnished $24,000

MATE PUCCI and FRANKANC KENNA, San Joses

cal fornia, supplied 320,000

$25,000.

WAITER PARMAN, Reno, Nevada, furnished

He showed some of these loans would be

repaid upon the sale of an apartment house he owned at

Fourth and Williams Streets, San Jose, California.

Attorney A. W. HAMM, JR., Las Vegas, Nevada,

advised, on a confidential basis, March 1950 that he haa

received reliable information that FRANK "BUSTER" WORTMAN

and his associates of St. Louis, Missouri and East St. Louis,

Illinois, had made undisclosed investments in the California

Club at the time PARMAN and ARQUILLA acquired control.

Sergeant COMPTON of the Las Vegas Police

COMPTON

and HAMM did not furnish any specific data on the amount

of such undisclosed interest or the method by which it was

handled.

In July 1954, ARQUILLA bought out PARMAN but

sold a part of the California Club to others. As of

January 1958, ARQUILLA had a recorded Interest of 62%.

WORTMAN and his associates, East St. Louis, Illinois,

"racketeers"

, had invested

$300,000

in the California Club

and that TOM BERRY of East St. Louis, Illinois, was placed

in charge of the gambling operations

as

"Front man" for WORTMAN.

at the California Club

WILLIAM GALLAGHER, Nevada Tax Commission,

advised on January 23, 11958 there were definite indications

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SU 62-2189

that WORTMAN and his associates at one time had an undisclosed

interest in the California Club, Las Vegas, but evidence

was not sufficient or of the proper type to be used in a

proceeding for revocation of the gambling license of the

California Club. GALLAGHER said information had been

received from a source considered reliable, that the

WORTMAN investmont in the California Club had been

withdrawn.

On March 28, 1958, informant SU 371-C

advised it is that informant's belief that WORTMAN

and

his associates still matatain an undisclosed interest in

the California Club, Las Vegas.

This belief by the informant

is based primarily

on the fact that THOMAS STERLING,

Pit

Boss at the California Club, originally came from East

St. Louis, Illinois where he had worked most of his life

in gambling clubs.

In about June 1958, ARQUILIA sold 60% of

his interest in the California Club to one JAMES P. LONG,

Pit Boss of the Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada. The

price was reported to be $435,000, however, ARQUILLA did

not receive the total amount in cash, having accepted

notes payable at a future date.

Las Vegas, Nevada.

The application regarding the New

Frontier Hotel did not materialize and on september 9,

1958, ARQUILLA acquired approximately 50% of the Westerner

Club, 23 Fremont Street, downtown Las Vegas.

According

to WILLIAM GALLAGHER, Nevada State Tax Commission,

ARQUILIA paid approximately $138,000 for this share in the

Westerner Club.

On March 10, 1959, informant SU 396-c advisec

that informant received information that ARQUILLA was

making efforts to dispose of his interest in the Westerner

club but no sale had yet been made. Sergeant BEN COMPTON,

Las Vegas Police Department, advised he had received the

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Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hobe) .

• .

DATE: 11-14-2017

SU 62-2139

MARION EIDFORD LICKS

FBI NO.:

64747L,

part owner

Of the

Tunderbird hotel, Las vegas.

WILBUR

TO DO AT LAS Ve6 40037,

President o

CHARLEN

QUETIC, FBI NO. 3001986, a ball bondsman,

Las" Vegas.

This Informant advised BAKER s association viti

the above individuals is believed to be purely social and

there is no known financial of business arrangements with any

of them.

Informant SU 257-C advised on December 14, 1951,

that SAy BAkull has been seen in company with JACKYDRAGNAL

escribed by the Intormant as a prominent raceteer and under-

world figure from Los Angeles, California, The Informant

said DRAGNA had visited in Las

Vegas coring the previous six

months and on each occasion had been seen with BAkER.

Records of the Clark County Recorder show that

BAKER owns the premises on which the Villa Venice Restaurant

and Casino is located.

Information was also developed that BAKER owns

an island of about 19 acres located at Clear Lake, California,

However, he has tried to sell this property in recent years.

BAKER maintains bank accounts in Las Vegas with

balances usually in live figures anc no information was

developed that he was handling any funds other then his own.

Available information indicates BAKER has successfully

invested his money in the Villa Venice and its operations and

his source of income is only from that business venture and

other real estate purchases and sales.

C. Degree of influence

The only information concerning possible influence

by BAKER is that set forth above, received from Informants.

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SU 62-2189

VII. The Bal Tabarin Casino, Lake Tanoe, Nevada.

Ao

Individuals involved

l'o

BERNARD (NIN AS INSTOSS,

aka

Bernard Einstos, FBI

Nº. 2141351.

Identification record under the above fBi number

Shows EINSTOSS was arrested on October 2, 1933, by the san

Francisco, California, Police Department, for vagrancy and

He was dismissed on October 3, 1938.

was arrested on November 2, 1940, by the Los Angeles, California,

Sheriff's Office, for conspiracy and contributing and disposition

ie was fingerprinted by the Police Department,

Reno, and the Nevada Tas Conmission, Carson City, Nevada, on

July 30, 1947, and January 27, 1945, respectively, in connection

with application for a gambling license.

The above record

does not show that EINSTOSS has ever been convicted of any

crime.

In October, 1945, Informant LA 3095-C advised that EINSTOSS

was

a very wealthy and a close associate of MICKEY COREN,

described as a wei known racketeer and underword. ligure

from Los Angeles, California.

Informant LA 3095-C advised

in 1950 that EINSTOSS Lad been an associate of a well known

gambler in Los Angeles named IRVING SCHWARTZ

Informant IA 675-C advised in 1946 that EINSTOSS

was a former partner of BENNY CHAPVAN and was a close associate

of underworld figures including the following:

BENJAMIN "BUGSY" SEIGEL (deceased)

ALLEN SMILE

calo

GEOFGE RATT ( movie actor)

MICKEY COLIN

HOw

influence or control acquired

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