Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: MM
To: HQ
Document date: 1/2/59
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

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

DATE: 11-14-2017

JFK Assassination System

Date:

6/1/2015

Identification Form

Agency Information

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-90154-10018

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER : CR 62-9-29-86

Document Information

ORIGINATOR:

FBI

FROM:

MM

TO: HQ

TITLE :

DATE:

PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

01/02/1959

7

DOCUMENT TYPE :

CLASSIFICATION:

RESTRICTIONS :

CURRENT STATUS :

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

MIAMI WINTER SEASON

MICHAEL MCLANEY

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Unclassified

4

Redact

10/30/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

MEMO

V9.1

DocId: 32339989

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Page 1

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## Page 2

Releasedgunder the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Hot of 1992 (11 USC 2107 Hote) .

DA TESTANGARE FEE+0617

Office Memorandum • UNITED STALES GOVERNMENA

TO

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-5714-29)

DATE:

ATTENTION:

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR ROSEN

SAC, MIAMI (62-1273)

RE

SUBJECT:

weet

MI. Nebe

1/2/59

Mr. Parsons

Mr. Tamme

Mr. Trotter-

Mr. W.C.Sellivan

Tele. Room

Mr. Helloman

Miss Sandy

MIAMI WINTER SEASON,

1958-1959

TOP HOODLUM PROGRA

Re Bureau airtel, 8/13/58.

LAW ENFORCEMENT

-WAYNE THURMAN, Detective, North Miami Police

Department, advised that on December 30, 1958, Circült

Judge PAT-CANNON in Miami ordered the City of North Miami

to continue paying the eight police officers whom the North

Miami City Council sought to eliminate since October of 1958,

claiming-the metropolitan government of Dade County should

"take over; part of the police and fire department functions.

7 KARL ENGEL, Chief of Police,

North Miami, pre-

viously advised,

as reflected in Miami letters to the Bureau,

October 17, and

31, 1958, that the City Council of North Miami

contemplated decreasing the police department, budget by

$65,000.00 and advocated that certain departments, as well.

-as eight police officers, be eliminated, stating that the

metrepolitan government should immediately take over this

responsibility.

EMM 673-0 advised at a recent dinner in Miami,

which wasiattended by Metropolitan Safety Director THOMAS

KELLY, he heard KELLY statecthat he had considered resigning

his position but that any consideration would depend upon

reports submitted by his physician relative to a heart

condition that he now possesses.

ITaul

Bureau

3'-,

Miami

RFF: s11

(7)

REG- 91

4736 6-27

2 86

TH ?

r:

1959

Л2DEn: it

78% 2

20701,20

2: 10 08-04

1:204

JANJA

DocId: 32339989

Page 2

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## Page 3

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

DATE: 11-14-2017

MM 62-1273

GAMBLING

owner of a news stand at 501 Northeast 125th Street, and

STERN's clerk, MARGARET TOSH, age 42, for engaging in aB APROL / 917

bookmaking operation at STERN's news

stand on December 18, is

1958.

He stated TOSH would only accept bets at the news

stand from individuals known to her and when a person un-

known to her visited the news stand for the purpose of

placing a bet, she would telephonically contact STERN at

his home, 829. Northeast 160th Street, and STERN would ther

converse with the stranger over the telephone. He said that

after STERN obtained the necessary personal history and back-

ground of the stranger, he would either reject or accept the

stranger's bet.

The Miami Beach Kennel Club opened Its thirty-first

season on December 31, 1958.

TOM PARKER, Investigator for the Florida Racing

ELAI

Commission, Miami, advised that the Florida Racing Commission

jagain denied MORRIS WEXLER, also known as "MUSHY" WEXLER, a :

license to operate a racing stable in Florida. He stated that

each year for the past three years,

the Commission has refused

to entertain WEXLER's request to enter the racing field in

the state of Florida. He stated WEXLER 1s a well-known

Cleveland underworld figure who in 1958 owned the Theatrical

Grill, a night club and restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio, and

was formerly operator of the Empire News, a race wire service

In 1955, WEXLER reputedly had an interest in the

Thistledown Race Track, Cleveland, Ohio.

With reference to the efforts to have gambling

legalized, MM 673-C stated that he learned of additional

activities on the part of some individuals who were inter-

ested in having gambling legalized In Florida. He statedN

that DEANVALFANGE, who acted as JACly DEMPSEY's attorney pLA

several months ago when legalized gambling was presented

to the

Dade County Commissioners, returned to Miami and

iwas in the Miami area about five

days in the middle of

December, 1958. He also stated that while in Miami, ALFANGE

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## Page 4

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (41 USC 2107 Note).

DATE: 11-14-2017

MM 62-1273

FLA

held some conferences with JERRYWEINKLE, an attorney,

relative to making preparations for an appeal to the

Supreme Court of Florida in their efforts to obtain

ALFANGE also had a conference with HARRY

backing of the Democratic Party on Miami Beach.

This

of Miami. He further advised that LEVY previously had

filed a petition with the Dade County Commissioners for

a referendum "by the voters of Dade County" but it was ruled

illegal by the

Dade County Attorney.

appeal expects the Florida State Supreme Court to re-

ject the Dade County Commissioners' ruling which held that

the appeal of this group for a referendum vote was 1llegal.

He also related he was told that if ALFANGE and his group

are unsuccessful, they intend to file petitions to force

the referendum election.

Ihis Informant also stated that ANTHONY GASWEET, FLA.

FBI #317988C, a gambler who is secretary and treasurer of

La Bastille, a private club in Surfside, has also become

owner of the restaurant formerly operated by FELIX YOUNG, FLA.

FBI #177827, in Bay Harbor, Island.

In addition, he stated that he recently spent a

week end in Havana, Cuba, and learned that MIKE\MC LANEY, CUBA

in charge of the gambling casino at the Nacionall Hotel in

Havana, issthe front man for FRANKURICKSON, FBI #1762258, CUBA.

sun operator de the an or era Same ang

He also said when in Havana, he was introduced to

one G. To CHARDSON, who appeared to have considerable

authority around the

Capri Hotei and Gambling Casino.

He said he also learned that NAT HARRIS, a gambler,

has the title of administrator at the Capri Casino.

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## Page 5

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

DATE: :11-14-2017

MM 62-1273

This informant further stated that PHILLIP

YAWORSKY ,

also known as JERR$/ BROOKS, FBI #220267, CÔ- CUBA, ELA,

owner of

the Luau Restaurant,

North Bay VIllage, and who

owns a part of the Capri Gambling Casino in Havana, Cuba,

had a heart attack and is presently in the Miami Heart

Institute.

MM 509-C advised that NATHAN PEARIMAN, an old- PA, FLA

time bookie from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Is staying at

the Sea Gull Hotel and will undoubtedly remain in

the Miami

area the rest of the winter season, He stated that PEARLMA A FlA.

is a close friend of JOE/SILVERMAN, also known as WiLTEY

SILVERMAN, a bookmaker and numbers man from Pittsburgh,

Is presently staying at the Sea Gull Hotel, Miami Beach.

He further advised that Jee VISSELLI, a bookmaker N4, FLA,

formerly from New York City, who has bèen in the Miami area

approximately fifteen years, has an established successful

bookmaking business among the bellhops who are employed in

the various hotels on Collins Avenue North of Lincoln Road.

He mentioned that FISSELLI is a crose personal friend of

MAX EDER, also known as MAXIE HAYMOND, FBI #236413, a FLA.

Miami Beach gambler and strong arm man.

MM 509-0 also stated that JOE BERGER, a bookmaker FLA, Niy,

and fence, who arrived in the Miami area from New York City

the first

part of December, 1958, recently left Miami to

take a position as pit boss at the Plaza Hotel Gambling

Casino,

Havana, Cuba.

With reference to BERGER, he stated

that BERGER years ago purchased merchandise for a fencing

operating from JOE GANZ, Miami Beach Police Department

#A20664, a burglar.

He further stated that he observed SAM SHILLITONI, Fl

also known as SAMMI SHIELDS; New York Police Department

WeeK at the Vers noted a 50715e, the past PLA-

SHIELDS still operates a floating dice game on Spring Street

in New York City.

MASSEI, a former Detroit hoodlum, now

makes Miami Beach his residence.

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deleines

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## Page 6

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

DATE: 11-14-2017

MM 62-1273

This Informant said that he learned DAVE MELLER, NMIFLA,

a bookmaker from New York City, has been in Miami Beach

about ten days. He said he did not know specifically

where MILLER was residing but knew it was in the general

vicinity.of. 23ra and Collins Avenue, Miami Beach.

D 509-C also advised that he learned MAX MUNTZ, ~. 4, PLA.

formerly a bookmaker from Brooklyn, New York, ceased his

operations in that field because. of poor health and presently

resides at the Park Avenue Apartments. Miami Beach.

In addition, he commented that ALBERT FRANK

a past poster and bookmaker from Brooklyn, New. York, who

1, 690744.

operates as a gambler on ships and other forms of transpor

tation with an individual known as JOCKEY LEWIS 1s presently

in the Miami area and residing at 1154 Northeast 9lst Terrace,

Miami.

advised

that RUBIN WIENER, FBI #244088, a bookmaker who was

very active in gambling circles at Miami Beach and North Bay

Village the winter season of 1957-58, is presently in New York

City engaged in a sizeable bookmaking operation.

stated that WIENER's friends in the Miami area that seasor

were AT MIGDAL, FBI #841209B, and BENJAMIN MALLAH, FBI

N, 1

#199559B, both

burglars. He said he learned that MIGDAI

and MALLAH are now acting as pimps for three girls who

operate out of Peck A Rib Tavern on Seventh Avenue off

Broadway, New York City.

HOODLUMS IN THE MIAMI AREA

MM 673-C advised that IRVING LYWEXLER, formerlyELL, FLA

from Chicago, Illinois and brother-in-law

of GEORGE SAX, ELA,

owner of the

Saxony Hotel, Miami Beach, now operates Muzak,

a company which pipes music to business establishments and

other sources.

He stated that he had heard a rumor to the

effect that WEXLER had some type of arrest record in Chicago.

In December, 1946, AYLAMPHEIMER, owner of the flA,

Claridge Hotel, Miami Beach,

advised he made a deal with

IRVING WEXLER,

then connected with the Globe Music Company

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Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (14 Ust 2107 Hote).

-DATE: -11-14-2017

MM 62-1273

rand the Serenade Music Company whereby he, LAMPHEIMER, was

.to receive. $4,000.00 for permitting bookmaking in the lobby

of his hotel.

He said that after a down payment was made

with reference to this agreement, WEXLER later came around

and demanded $200.00 for arranging the deal.

LAMPHEIMER at

that time stated that ultimately there was no bookmaking.

operation in the hotel lobby, as it then appeared that book-

making was not going to be permitted openly in Miami Beach.

MM 673-C also stated that SAM SHANKER, FBI

#272198, and co-owner of the Place Pigalle, a strip tease

Philadelphia syndicate headed by

a night club operator in Philadelphia.

He stated he was also told that SONNEXPACE, for fLA.

years manager at the Galety Night club, Miami, contemplates

purchasing the interest presently possessed by DAVE

/SHERIN, FLA

FBI #1400419.

-SOL JAFFE, PCI, advised that HENRY HERSKOWITZ and

STEPHENARADA, students at Temple University, as well as r

BURTON BURKE, a student at Penn State University, and

JACQUELINE COURTMAN, a laboratory technician of Atlantic

N.S., PLA

City, New Jersey, were arrested by the Miami Beach Police

Department and Bal Harbour Police Department and charged

with grand larceny and receiving stolen property. He stated

that the police departments recovered jewelry and clothing

from the above individuals that had been stolen from hotel

Fontainebleau, Eden Roc, Casa Blanca and Americana.

he learned this group would call for the keys of wealthy

guests from the desk clerks and when the guests were not in

their rooms, they would loot the rooms of valuables.

MM 509-C advised that ALXPOSEN, a fence who restdes

Nil;

Iin the vicinity of the 1600 block of Michigan or Pennsylvania

Avenue and possibly at 935 Eighth Street, Miami Beach, recently

returned from New York City.

He stated ROSEN does business with

Jewelry Company, MIami, a Well as with the BlAta mage

FBI #608232-C, who operates the Blatt and Mayer FA

of Shafkin's Jewelry Store, Miami Beach. He further mentioned

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