Document date: 04/17/2018
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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ED 36 • (Rev. 12

56)

FBI

Transmit the following

in

Date: 5/16/62

Plain Text

Via

AIRTEL

REGISTERED MAIL

To:

Director, FBI

From:

SAC, Philadelphia (166-27)

Subject:

JOHN CAVELLI, aka Ice Cream;

PHILIP TESTA;

ITAR

0.0. Philadelphia

Re Philadelphia airtels to Bureau dated 5/8 and 11/62,

no coples to Chicago or Springfield.

For background information of Chicago and Springfield,

It is to be noted that PHILIP TESTA is the lieutenant of ANGELO

BRUNO, aka,

the Philadelphia representative of "The Criminal

Commission.

PH 627-PC, a son of a nationally known racket

figure, has during May 1962 furnished information indicating

that he had traveled to New York City, had stayed at the residence

Of DAN CHERICO, 1009 Ogden Avenue, Bronx, N.Y., telephone GE 8-1645,h

in whose residence in a large den

or recreation room on the

first floor a meeting was held at approximately 2 p.m. on Sunday,

5/6/62.

Persons who attended this meeting did not include

subject JOHN CAVELLI,

HENRY NOISE (phonetic), JOE (INU), and three other persons whose

names informant could not recall.

This meeting lasted approximately

4 - Bureau (RM)

2 -

Boston

92-2117

(RM)

1 - 92-272

(ANGELO BRUNO)

2 - Chicago (RM)

2 - New

York

1 - 92-739 (ANGELO BRUNO)

2

- Springfield (RM)

(ROCCO RUNO)

St. Louis (RM)

-

Philadelphia

1 - 166-27

1 - 92-445

JRP: b0q

• (16)

92-27158

NOT RECORDED

174 MAY 21 1962

60 MAY 2319

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PH 166-27

one and one-half hours. Informant believed that all persons

present besides CAVELLI and TESTA were from New York with

the exception of PAUL LACONA and HENRY NOISE, who were from

the Boston area. NOISE told the informant he and LACONA were

of Gero's Bar, Hanover and Commercial Streets, Boston,

on 5/8/62 Informant Identified a photograph of HENRY

SELVITELLA, Boston Police Department Number 262 87, as the

person introduced to him as HENRY NOISE.

Informant stated that he believed the meeting in

New York was connected with ANGELO BRUNO's numbers operation

because of the presence of PHILIP TESTA and CAVELLI, It being

noted that CAVELLI has previously been described as TESTA's

chief

assistant in the numbers racket in Philadelphia.

on 5/9/62 Informant again advised he would go to

New York for the weekend of 5/12/62.

While in New York he would

again stay at the home of DAN CHERICO with the purpose of the trip

being to deliver an unknown sum of money.

For characterization of Informant, all offices should

classify him as being closely associated with nationally known

racket figures, who has furnished previous reliable information.

(For your confidential information, the informant is the son of

nationally known racket figure.

His name has assisted him being

rapidly promoted in BRUNO's gambling activities and at present

informant 1s collecting an average of $20,000 per day frem BRUNO's

numbers activities in the Philadelphia area. It should be noted

that dissemination of any portion of the above information being

furnished by the informant would unquestionably jeopardize his

safety.

IN VIEW OF THE SENSITIVILY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION

AND THE DANGER OF COMPROMISING INFORMANT'S LIFE AND POSITION

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH THE GREATEST CARE AND

DISCRETION.

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PH 166-27

On 5/11/62 the informant stated that on the following

Monday,

he would be the only one making collections

for the numbers plays, all of which were under the control of

ANGELO BRUNO,

that he would be making

25 collections dally

between the hours of 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and that money collected

would amount to an average of $20,000

per day.

This money

was turned over by the informant to "LULU" ESPOSITO, who 18

banking the money In a rear room at a sandwich shop at the

corner of 19th and McKean Streets, Philadelphia.

Infornant

could furnish no additional details as to his time of departure

for the trip to New York during the coming week end.

On the evening of 5/14/62 Informant furnished the

following information regarding the trip to New York and

the activities of 5/14/62:

Informant travelled to New York In JOHN CAVELLI's

car, leaving Philadelphia at approximately 10:30 p.m. on 5/12/62.

Informant and CAVELLI went to the home of DAN CHERICO, 1009 Ogden

Avenue,

Bronx, N.Y., at which time CAVELLI turned over to

CHERICO $35,000 In cash consisting of 100, 50, and 20 dollar

denominations.

Informant could furnish nothing evidentiary but

definitely believes that the money delivered was money collected

Irom numbers activities in Philadelphia, all of which was

under the control of BRUNO.

He noted that CHERICO uses his personal telephone to

make frequent calls but informant did not know. 1f any toll

calls were charged against the telephone.

He was told by

CAVELLI that they could not return to Philadelphia until a

telephone call was received at CHERICO's residence.

This call

came through about 10:30 p.m., 5/13/62.

The identity of the

caller was not known to the informant; however, he learned from

a conversation between CHERICO and CAVELLI that the call was

In regard to what was to be done with the money.

He ascertained

that the money was going to an Individual described only as

"WILLIE GREEN" from East St. Louls.

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PH 166-27

It was ascertained that these trips were to be

made weekly and that money would be delivered on each occasion.

Informant noted that he had collected from various numbers

operators under BRUNO's control in Philadelphia that day

approximately $12,000.

By airtel received at Philadelphia 5/12/62, the

Bureau instructs that an ITAR inquiry as captioned above be

opened with Philadelphia designated as origin.

Bureau

instructions were to pursue inquiry in regard to captioned

subjects in a vigorous manner to ascertain if there was a

prosecutable violation.

All offices are requested not to make

any open inquiry to jeopardize the informant's safety.

Leads

BOSTON:

At Boston, Mass.:

(1) Will furnish the Philadelphia Division up-to-date

information on PAUL LACONA and HENRY SELVITELLA, aka Henry Noise,

per Philadelphia airtel 5/8/62.

(2) Photographs of these Individuals should be

to the Philadelphia Division to be displayed to the'

furnished

informant.

(3) Any close associates of these two individuals

who could possibly travel to New York should also be furnished

the Philadelphia Division.

CHICAGO:

At Chicago, Ill.:

(1) Considering racket connections between Chicago

and East St. Louis, Chicago should promptly furnish any

information as to the identity of WILLIE GREEN of East St. Louis.

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PH 166-27

(2)

Photographs of close associates of this

individual if he is identified should be furnished to the

Philadelphia Division.

NEW YORK:

At New York CIty:

(1) New York should immediately obtain toll calls

for the residence of DAN CHERICO, 1009 Ogden Avenue, Bronx,

N.Y., telephone number GE 8-1645, in an effort to identify

his

associates, particularly in

any 14 che

the East St. Louis area.

(2) Should endeavor to establish a confidential

source to cover possible future meetings at this residence

plus investigation requested in Philadelphia airtel dated

5/8/62 requesting identifying information on CHERICO and BONAFIA.

(3) New York should furnish photographs of these

individuals plus photographs of known associates of these

persons.

ST. LOUIS:

Review Indices for any information regarding WILLIE

GREEN and furnish same to Philadelphia.

SPRINGFIELD:

At East St. Louis:

(1) Will attempt to identify WILLIE GREEN.

(2) If WILLIE GREEN is identified, furnish photograph.

(3) Ascertain toll calls originating from his

telephone to provide Philadelphia and New York contacts

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PH 166-27

(4) Will furnish background of WILLIE GREEN.

PHILADELPHIA:

At Philadelphia, Pa.:

(I) Will maintain contact with PH 627-PC.

(2) Will request surveillance at a time when

informant can

be provided safety.

IN VIEW OF THE SENSITIVITY OF THE ABOVE INFORMATION

AND THE DANGER OF COMPROMISING INFORMANT"S LIFE AND POSITION,

THIS INFORMATION SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH THE GREATEST CARE AND

DISCRETION.

FROHBOSE

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