Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: CHEATHAM, CLABORN R.
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 04/19/1971
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/27/201

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-10306-10044

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 165-1849-44

Released under the John

Assassination Records

Collection Act of 1992

144 USC 2107 Note) .

Case#: NW 45946 Date:

11-16-2017

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: CHEATHAM, CLABORN R.

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE:

PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

04/19/1971

4

NRO, STRAUS, JACK, ASSOC, GAMBLING ACT

DOCUMENT TYPE:

CLASSIFICATION:

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS:

4; 10(a)2

• CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

05/06/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

79.1

HH 45946

DocId: 32310635

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JEK Act 6 (4)

HO 165-689

On 1/13/71, PCIL

reported that things

have been very quiet

around the Satari Ltd. offices during the

past two weeks and neither JACK STRAUS nor his secretary JERRY

GILl has been seen at these offices during this period.

On 2/10/71,1

reported that the telephones

have been taken out of the Gaming Safari's Ltd. Office during

the past week.

She reported that an unknown individual had

frequently used the Towers Hotel telephone, which is located

just outside the Steakery Restaurant on the second Iloor of

the hotel.

She stated this man had frequently been with

STRAUS in the Gaming Safari's Office.

that the hotel had recently discovered that long distance

calls could be made from this phone,, which is just an extension

of the hotel switchboard, and these calls could not be assigned

to any specific room when they appeared on the bill. Informant

stated she believes this situation has been changed so that

long distance calls could no longer be made from the hotel

extension.

Informant also advised that GENE SANDELL had

reportedly moved to River Road, Wharton, Texas and has telephone

number 532-5267.

On 3/3/71, PC1

stated things havé been

very quiet around the lowers hotel and the Gaming Safari's Ltd.

Office during the past two weeks; however, STRAUS was in the

office that date with his secretary.

Informant reported that

GENE SANDELL had been in town about a week ago and had stayed

one night in Room 906.

On 1/28/71, HO 1082-C-TE advised that he had no

information which would indicate that BENNY BINION planned /fris

to return to Houston or to resume any gambling activities here.

- soe..

BINION has been successful in Las Vegas and is reported to

have purchased a big ranch in Wyoming where he is spending

a considerable amount of his time.

Informant would know if

up with STRAUS or taking over any of STRAUS'

NO 1232-C-TE has advised that JACK STRAUS has been

in Houston are recorded.

This informant does not

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HO 165-689

know STRAUS' booking locations and stated he feels STRAUS may

possibly book races to be run at Evangeline Downs Race Track

in Lafayette, Louisiana, which track operates from April 7,

1971 through

Labor Day.

mine telephone numbers he feels STRAUS may be using in his

operation.

On 3/16/71, PCI MICKEY GUARINO advised that he has

not had any further contacts with JACK STRAUS and does not

know if STRAUS is presently in business or not.

On 2/10/71 the Miami Division advised that NORMAN

ROTHMAN,

of. Miami

file 92-1870.

was born

on 12/20/14, and was active in gambling in the. Cuban San Souci

except those in Havana, prior to the CASTRO regime.

gambling activities in

Cuba reportedly were backed

financially

by the MANNACINE brothers from New Kensington, Pennsylvania,

and PATSY ERRA, Miami Beach, Florida, all LCN

figures.

ROTHMAN

Io smuggle guns stolen

Vationai Guard Armers in onion

to Cuba, and received a five-year prison term and $10,000

fine.

In 1967 ROTHMAN reportedly had an undisclosed interest

in the Albion Lounge, Miami Beah and was later employed by

International Lithographers, Miami Beach, Florida.

ROTHMAN is reportedly a representative of PATSY ERRA

and the gambling and shylocking in the Miami area.

ROTHMAN

has travelled extensively of late to Las Vegas, New York, and

New Jersey and has been reported in the past as a courier of

funds for LCN figures.

JEK Law 10(a) 2

During the latter part of 1967 ROTAMAN was reportedly

organizing junket

flights from Miami to the New Frontier Hotel,

Las Vegas.

On 3/17/69 ROTHMAN was arrested in Las Vegas for

vagrancy and loitering and had in his possession over $10,000

In cash.

165-1849-44

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NW 45946 DooId: 32310635 Page 3

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HO 165-689

On 12/18/69 ROTHMAN, along with others were the

subjects of a 15-count indictment returned by the FGJ,

Southern District of New York,

charging them with ITSP.

No trial date has been set and this

against ROTHMAN.

On 3/15/71, MM 1401-C-IE advised that he is

personally acquainted with NORMAN ROTHMAN, and since ROTHMAN

at one time was engaged in the junket flight business to Las

Vegas casinos, ROTHMAN may have been in contact with STRAUS

in this connection.

On 1/22/71, LR 695-PC advised that he is acquainted

with JACK STRAUS and

that he is acquainted with HUBERT DANI

HARRIS, Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Informant stated HARRIS is :

owner and operator of the Vapors Club, a former gamblin;

casino at Hot Springs.

Prior to closing in March, 1964 STRAU:

would come to Hot Springs and gamble.

IR 695-PC stated that HARRIS is not connected with

Junket trips are made up in the

Istanbul and gamble. Informant stated this is probably the

ceason STRAUS has been in contact with HARRIS; however, he

cannot state this definitely.

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