Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, DL
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 3/3/65
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/23/201

AGENCY :

RECORD NUMBER:

RECORD SERIES :

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

FBI

124-10298-10044

HQ

92-2824-106, 107, 108, 109, 110

, Document Information

ORIGINATOR :

FBI

FROM: SAC, DL

TO : DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE: 03/03/1965

PAGES:

37

SUBJECTS :

JFC, RES, LOAN, ASSOC, CRIMINAL ACT, B/F INT, REL,

FISUR, TOLL CALLS

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS:

CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 05/11/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS:

INC LHM, 2 RPT, 2 MEMO

DocId: 32309257

Page 1

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## Page 2

FJ-288 (ReT $1-38)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICE

DALLAS

TITLE OF CASE

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

DALLAS

DATE

6/24/65

REPORT MADE BY

IVAN D. LEE

CHARACTER OF CASE

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

3/9 - 6/11/65

TYPED BY

JP

JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka

AR

REFERENCE:

Report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS, dated 4/9/65, at Dallas.

Dallas letter to Bureau, dated 5/27/65.

=P -

ENCLOSURE:

TO BUREAU

Original and one copy of letterhead memorandum characterizing

informants utilized in this report.

LEADS:

CHICAGO

AT ROCKFORD, ILLINOIS

1.

Will identify current subscriber to telephone # 968.-

1662, 962-4666, and 877-8107.

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

SPES CHARGENT

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

92-2824-110 REC-137

2

2

2

Bureau (92-2824) (Fre-2)

USA, Fort Worth

Chicago (92-351)

• Houston (94-192)

• New Orleans

(92-40)

• Dallas (92-36)

JUL

1965

DISSEMINATION RECORD OF ATTACHED REPORT

AGENCY..

REQUEST RECD..

DATE FWD..

HOW FWD.

BY..

22

56 J0E

16 1666

01/ € 7/12/65

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NOTATIONS

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## Page 3

DI 92-36

subscribers to the following numbers:

BR 6=4497

BR

8-5257

BR 8-9717

BL 4-0151

2. Will thereafter attempt to ascertain purpose of

CIVELLO's contacts with subscribers of

these

numbers.

ADMINISTRATIVE:

It is noted that the investigative period overlapped

that of the previous report; however, this report contains informa

tion which was received from auxiliary offices after referenced report

was dictated.

Spot surveillances conducted by Bureau Agents on JOSEPH

CIVELLO at his residence, 4809 Gulfstream, Dallas, at at his

brother's liquor store (Airway Liquors, 314 West

Mockingbird

Lanel indicates that CIVELLO spends most of his time at the liquor

store or his residence.

Surveillance maintained on CIVELIO while

at the liquor store indicates that he is usually conversing with

his brother, CHARLES CIVELLO, and his brother-in-law, ROSs MUSSO,

who usually accompanies CIVELLO from his residence to the store.

On

the days CIVELLO has been observed at the liquor store, he has not been

observed to use the telephone at the store.

It was also noted that

he did not have any visitors or converse

with anyone other than

customers making purchases at the store.

Detective H. M.

HART, Criminal Intelligence Section, Dallas

Police Department, advised that in surveillances that he has con

ducted on CIVEL's residence,

he has noted that usually the wives

01 CIVELLO and ROSS

MUSSO remain at

the residence most of the

time.

He stated that he has never observed the

residence when all of

the occupants have been absent.

IDENTITY OF INFORMANIS

Informants DI T=I IS DL 271-6, DI I-2 is DI 135-C,

and DI T=3 is

HO 1082-6.

The following informants who are acquainted with gamblers,

bookmakers, and criminal

element in the Dallas area could furnish

COVER PAGE

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## Page 4

DI 92-36

no information to indicate that CIVELLO is presently active in any

criminal

activities in

the Dallas area:

DL 140-C, contacted by SAs

ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE

PCI STEVEN G. CANELLOS, contacted by SA ROBERT E. HARTZ

DI 181-C contacted by SAs ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE

DI 185-C contacted by SAs

Di 197-C contacted by SAs HOBERIM. BARRETTand IVAN D.

LEE

ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE

DI 208-C contacted by SAS ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE

DL 254-PC contacted by SA IVAN D. LEE

Confidential

source JEROME J. CRANE contacted by SA ROBERT

M. BABRETT.

ID *

COVER PAGE

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## Page 5

TO

FROM :

SUBJECT:

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

5010-106-03

MAY 1562 EDITION

DEA GEN. KEG. NO. 21

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

Memorandum

DIRECTOR, FBI (92-2824)

SAC, DALLAS (92-36) (P)

JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka

(00: DALLAS)

DATE:

5/27/65

Re Dallas report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS dated 4/9/65;

Bureau letter to Dallas dated 4/22/65 requesting Dallas to

explore the relationship between JOHN DRAGNA, captioned

subject and the

hoodlum element in the Dallas, Texas, area.

The 1965 City Directory for Dallas, Texas, reveals

that JOHN DRAGNA and his wife ANN reside at 6128 East

University Boulevard, Dallas,

Texas.

His employment is

Itsted as the John Dragna Real Estate Company, 3611 A

Greenville Avenue.

A financial statement for the Merchants State Bank

located at Ross Avenue and Henderson Street indicates that

JOHN DRAGNA is one of the 22 directors at the Merchants State

Bank.

On May 20, 1965, H. M. HART, Detective, Criminal

Intelligence Section, Dallas

Police Department, advised that

he had recently obtained a financial statement

fron Dun and

Bradstreet and furnished a copy of the statement to the FBI

The statement reveals that DRAGNA represents..

substantial means with his affairs believed to be in good

order.

DRAGNA is active in real

estate and oil and handles

some construction as a side line. In November, 1963, JON A.

DRAGNA deferred submitting a detailed financial statemento

but

stated he represented tangible worth in excess of

$500:600

with assets centered primarily in stocks, oil royaltieg and

real estate.

The investigation revealed

that a cash account

is maintained with a local bank with balances averaging in low

to moderate five figures. The file indicated that his assets

Bureau

2 - Dallas

+668 92-2824=409

IDL/ jtf

(4)

21 JUN 1 211965

Iced ad

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## Page 6

DL 92-36

consisted of several apartment houses in Dallas, Texas,

which are held by DRAGNA for rental income. Investigation

revealed that DRAGNA is active in numerous civic functions

and is well thought of locally. His annual income is

estimated at $60,000 per year.

The file indicated that

DRAGNA was born in 1906, is presently divorced and has been

a long-time resident of

Dallas.

On May 20, 1965, HART advised that their investi-

gation of CIVELLO,

which has involved numerous surveillances

in the past, has failed to indicate that he has

been in

personal contact with DRAGNA.

HART advised their files contain

no information to indicate that DRAGNA has a close relationship

with CIVELLO other than the fact that they possibly belong to

the Italian-American Club and attend various Italian functions.

Spot surveillances conducted by Bureau Agents have

failed to indicate that CIVELLO is associating with DRAGNA

or that DRAGNA is visiting the Airway Liquor Store owned by

CHARLES CIVELLO.

Regarding the information previously furnished by

DI. 135-C that JOHN DRAGNA: member of the Board of Directors

of the Merchants State Bank, is subject's contact in the

Merchants State Bank, Informant was recontacted on May 4,

1965, concerning the person or persons who possibly leaked

the

information that FBI Agents were checking accounts at the

Merchants State Bank.

Informant stated he was originally of

the opinion that JOHN DRAGNA was the one who tipped off the

individuals concerned, but now he is not sure inasmuch as

any employee of the bank who was aware of the Agent's

presence, could have gassed.on the information.

Informant

advised on his previous contact,

but that he had no proof nor had he received any direct

that new vage

he assumed that it was DRAGNA

information that DRAGNA was responsible.

In view of the fact that the informant can offer

no concrete

information as to the person or persons possibly

-2-

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## Page 7

Tolson

Belmont.

Mohr -

DeLoach

Casper

Callahan -

Conrad -

Felt

Gale

Rosen

Sullivan

Tavo! -

Trotter - int

Tele. Room'

Holmes -

Gandy

SAC, Dallas

(92-36)

422-65

Director, FBI

(92-2824)

JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka

Re report of SA John B. Hotis dated 4-9-65.

On page 2 of re report information is set forth,

attributed to DL 135-C, to the effect that John Dragna,

member

of the Board of Directors of the Merchants State Bank, Dallas

is Civello's contact with the Merchants State Bank as well as

the contact for other local racketeers.

This informant also

reported that when the records of that institution were recently

checked by your office; Dragna immediately notified Civello and

several other racket figures who formerly had accounts in that

It would appear from the above action on the part of

advantage of the hoodlum element.

there would appear to be some degree of influence exerted on

a bank official by the hoodlum element.

In conductingsyour criminal intelligence investigation

of cavello,

this situation should be more fully explored tol

determine

the extent of Dragna's relationship with the hoodlun

clement and the degree of hoodlum influence being exerted on

hin and the ressons therefor.

Inguiries should also be made.

to determine whether Dragna is related to Louis Dragna,

• Los Angeles hoodlum. You should also be alert to the possibility

of Dragna,

in his capacity as a bank official being involved

in a violation of the banking laws.

Upon obtaining more detailed information regarding this

matter, a comprehensive letterbead memorandum should be submitted

to the

Bureau in accordance with previous Bureau instructions

relating to Hoodlum Influence in Banking Institutions.

In view of the information received to date, you should

be circumspect in your dealings with the Merchants

State, Bank

NOTE: Civello is a ICN member residiE-ln DI

currently being

investigated under CIP. DL being instructed to fully develop the

extent of hoodlum influence being exerted on bank official and

relationship of this official with hoodlum element

. MAILED 3

(4)70

MAIL ROOM IN

APR 2 2 1965

18 APR 23

1965

TELETYPE UNIT

CCMM-FBI

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## Page 8

FD-263 (Rev. 5-1-59)

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICE

DALLAS

TITLE OF CASE

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

DALLAS

JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO aka

DATE

4/9/65

REPORT MADE BY

JOHN B. HOTIS

CHARACTER OF CASE

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

2/8 - 3/23/65

EX-101

TYPED BY

rmb

REFERENCES:

Dallas report of SA JOHN B. HOTIS dated 2/9/65.

Dallas airtel to Bureau dated 3/3/65.

Little Rock letter to Dallas dated 3/22/65.

Las Vegas letter to Dallas dated 3/25/65.

-P-

ENCLOSURE

TO BUREAU: Original and one copy of letterhead memorandum

characterizing informants utilized in this report.

LEADS

CHICAGO, HOUSTON & NEW ORLEANS - INFORMATION.

Information copies furnished these offices inasmuch

as investigative leads remain outstanding with these offices.

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

3

1

2

Bureau (92-2824) (Eeerg)

USA, Fort Worth, Texas

-

Chicago (92-351)(nfo)

Houston (94-192) (Info)

-

New Orleans

(92-40) (Info)

- Dallas (92-36)

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

92-2824 + 107/ REC-21

6 APR 15

EX 110

Agency

Request Recd.

Date Fwd.

How Fwd.

By

Dissemination Record of Attached Repor

Dept

1/22/65

Notations

VЬHS0.008

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## Page 9

DL. 92-36

A review of Polk's Greater Dallas Directory, 1964,

*Fleet AURO TEN 3, In sinal entone service,

Dallas, Texas.

On 2/25/65, Mrs. BIRDIE SUE BELCHER, Merchants

Retail Credit Association, Dallas, advised ARTURO TREVINO has

bureau since

prior ton

very high credit rating.

has been employed as an agent with

the Internal Revenue Service since approximately 1956, and

prior to that time worked for United Texas Drys Company, Dallas.

His wife CONNIE was employed in 1954 by Taylor Publishing

Company and is presently employed by Baptist General Convention,

Dallas.

The file reflects his previous addresses include 5111

Denton Drive, Dallas (1959); 4322 Deere Street, Dallas (1957);

1831 Idaho Street (1954); 2347 Lucas Street, Dallas (1954);

1016 St. Louis Street, Dallas (date unlisted); and 121 East

Grawyler, Irving, Texas (1957) •

MrS. BELCHER

further advised

that prior to moving to the Dallas area, TREVINO resided in San

Antonio, Texas.

IDENTITY OF INFORMANTS

DL T-1 is DL 135-C, contacted by SA JOHN B. HOTIS.

DL I-2 iS PCI STEVEN G. CANELLOS, liquor salesman

for Phil Schepps, Distributors, Dallas, contacted

by SA JOHN B. HOTIS.

The following is a list of informants utilized in

following the activities of CIVELLO and his associates in the

Dallas Division:

DL 140-C, contacted by SA ROBERT M. BARRETT

DL. 135-C, contacted by SA JOHN B. HOTIS

PCI STEVEN G. CANELLOS, contacted by SA JOHN B. HOTIS

DL 208-C-TE, contacted by SA IVAN D. LEE

DL 251-PC; contacted by SA JOHN B. HOTIS

contacted by SA IVAN D. LEE

Confidential Source JEROME J. CRANE, contacted by

SAS ROBERT M. BARRETT and IVAN D. LEE

-D*-

(Cover Page)

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