Originator: FBI
From: PG
To: HQ
Document date: 05/15/1958
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

5/11/201

AGENCY : FBI

RECORD NUMBER:

124-90104-10183

RECORD SERIES:

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

92-2940-28

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

PG

TO : HQ

TITLE :

DATE: 05/15/1958

'PAGES:

8

SUBJECTS :

SEBASTIAN JOHN LAROCCA

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS : 4

CURRENT STATUS : Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW : 07/31/1998

OPENING CRITERIA : INDEFINITE

COMMENTS : MEMO

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Essassination Hecords Collection Act or

1992 (44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW

36252 Date: 09-22-2022

3

NW 68262 Docld:32332885 Page 1

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## Page 2

OPPICE МЕНОРАМЕТИ

UNITED STAIRS GOVERNM

DIRBOTOR, FBI (92-2940)

DATE: 5/75/58

SAC, PITTSBURQH (92-226)

SEBASTIAN JOH IN ROCCA,

ANTI-RACKETEERING

was.

(00:

Fittsburgh)

Enclosed herewith for the Bureau are the copies of the

report of SA ROBERT A. VOEGE, Pittsburgh, dated 5A5/58.

REFERENCES

Report of sA FREDERICK T. HOULIAN, Philadelphia

Peport of SA ROBERT A. VOEGE, Pittsburgh, 3/28/58.

3/27/58.

Pittsburgh radiegram to Miami, 3/31/58.

Baltimore letter to Pittsburgh,

3/31/58.

maml airtel to Pittsburgh, 4/1/58.

Report of SA CHARLES E.

New York airtel to Pittsburgh,,

4/8/58.

Baltimere airtel to Pittsburgh, 4/11/58.

SANDALi, Buffalo, 4/2/58.

ADMINISTRATIVE

I VIEW OF THE CONVICTION OF THE SUBJECT FOR ASSAJIT WITH

TURT TO KITT. AND HIS ARREST FOR CARRYING A

CONCEATED

WEAPON, HE MAY BE ARMED AND SHOULD BE CONSIDION

DANGEROUS.

• bureau (ENCIS - 2

2 - Baltimore (92-149) (ENCIS = 2

2

- Burral® (92-87) (ENCLS - 2)

- Jam 192163(0) 2) 1)

2

2

- New York (92-825) ENCIS - 2)

- Philadelphia (92-497) (ENCLS' - 2)

- Pittsburgh

RAV/amb

(16)

REC- 45

92.2940-28

3 MAY 19 1958

66 JUN17 19587-407

NW 68262 Docld:32332885 Page 2

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## Page 3

PG 92-226

CRIMINAL INFORMANT COVERAGE

The Baltimore Office advised that the indices of

the

Baltimore Division disclosed the following Information

regarding MAX L. GOLDBERG, an accountant for the subject,

which is considered pertinent to this investigation:

By memorandum of January 4, 1958, to the Agent In Charge,

GOLDBERG was listed as a confidential informant of

Baltimore.

"At that time, it was reported that MAX !.

GOLDBERG had resided in Baltimore for many years and

resided with his wife and children at 3701 Clarinth Road.

He was described as a certified public accountant who operates

not only in Baltimore, but throughout the eastern United States.

He was further identified as an informant for the Baltimore

Office since October 3, 1946, and it was stated that since

that time, he had furnished valuable information relative

to slot machine operators, distributors and various

Individuals which the Baltimore Office desired to interview,

and no payment of money was necessary for these services.

It was stated that the informant had furnished reliable

background information regarding slot machine operators

and had given considerable Information in an investigation

of the reactivation of the CAPONE gang.

In connection

with this investigation, he obtained a

copy of the

Wurlitzer Company franchise in Pittsburgh, Pa., for the

Baltimore Office when it was being sought throughout the

country.*

In 1950, it was reported that GOLDBERG is extremely

cautious and desires thorough discreetness in divulging

information.

He was found to have been highly reliable

and trustworthy as long as he was approached cautiously.

It was reported at that time that there was no question

regarding his loyalty and in April, 1950, he was

designated as a confidential source. No record was found

in the indices of the Baltimore Office indicating that

GOLDBERG had been

contacted since 1950.

During August, 1951, in the course of a survey regarding

Interstate transportation of gambling devices, inquiry

made Of numerous local law enforcement agencies.

that time MERVIN BOYD, United States Treasury Department,

advised that MAX GOLDBERG handled

the accounting work

- 2 -

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## Page 4

RG 92-226

for a major portion of the gambling device operators

1n

the eastern portion of the United States:

He stated that

GOLDBERG 1s cognizant of the purchases,

sales and proceeds

en the operators of gambling devices in the mast, and 1t

was his belief that GOLDBERG can and will furnish

valuable information concerning sales.and transportation.of

gambling devices to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

On March 27, 1958; an attempt was

made to interview:

GOLDBERG, but it was learned that he was away from his

Baltimore residence

Attempts. are being made by the

Baltimore Office to

obtain the full cooperation of 2

GOLDBERG in furnishing all details available to him

regarding Individuals connected with the Top Hoodlwm

Frogram and consideration is being given to developing

him as a current potential criminal informant of the

3104

020

Baltimore Office.

Oh April 8, 1958,

GOLDBERG advised telephonically.in

a long distance call to the Baltimore Office that he

was at that time receiving treatment at Citizens General

Hospitaly New Kensington, Pao, for an acute condition

attributed to his selatie nerve.:

He stated that he

had been advised by his physician that he mist be in

the hospital until at least April 1o, 1958, and w11l

therearter return to his home in Baltimore for an extended

stay. GOLDBERG advised that he will cooperate fully

In any way possible with Bureau agents on a confidential

basis

The following individuals are presently being utilized

by the Pittsburgh Office in this investigation:

MISS FRANCES, PRIAM, a PCI who 18 well acquainted

with many of Pittsburgh!s top hoodlums and who Is

being utilized for ceverage of the GENOVESE

ÉCUr LA ROCCA interests

111

Cold

PG 573-C, who 1s extremely friendly with

the

GENOVESE brothers, particularly FIORE,

and who

221212

Is being utilized for general coverage of the

Red Eagle Club and its visitors.

SOcho 3M

Decades.

Leed

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## Page 5

PG 92-226

GEORGE "MOON" MESSER.

a PCI, who 1s Intimately

acquainted with many Pittsburgh top hoodlus

through association with them when theyabegan

thetr racket careers and who is being utilized

for coverage of the GENOVESE • NELSON interests;

as well as LA ROCCA!s travel plans.

AL BUCK, farmer Allegheny County Detective and

present Vice-President of the Fidelity Trust

Company, Lost. Department, Pittsburgh, Pa.,

1s being utilized for his knowledge of the

who

Bankerts Exchange in Fittsburgh, whereby he

can obtain information regarding bank loans

made to Pittsburgh top hoodlums. BUCK 1s also

famtliar with the activities of several of

Pittsburgh's top hoodlums, particularly those

Of LA ROCCA, Iron having worked on criminal

170

matters for many years in the City of Pittsburgh.

In an effort to increase criminal informant coverage,.

elforts

are still being made to persuade Miss FRANCES PRIAM to

becomes apparent that racket operations are again under

way at the club.

the contemplated development of Miss EVELYN GAPPELLANO,

paranour of PHIL GENOVESE, older brother of MIKE GENOVESE,

does not seem logical at this time in view of this

Individualts fear surrounding her relationship with the

GENOVESE family. She will not be recontadted unless

more specific information regarding her alleged association

with Pittsburgh' top heeltms can be established.

LEADS:

1134

12510

BALTIMORE

AT BALLIMORE MARYLAND

ines

1..

WIll thoroughly Interview MAX LOUIS GOLDBERG,

Accountant

for the subject, regarding the finances of LA ROCCA and

more specifically regarding his federal income tax

returns for the years 1956 and 1957.

= 4-

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## Page 6

PG 92-226

2.

BUFFALO:

LEADS (CONT)

In the event GOLDBERG advises that his records concerning

GENOVESE and SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA are at his

Pittsburgh Office; will'make arrangements to have:

GOLDBERG confer with acceuntants of the Pittsburgh

Division at a pre-scheduled time

so that his workpapers

may be thoroughly discussed with him.

9020.

AT BUFFALO. NEW YORK

1.

Will conduct a thorough neighberhood investigation in

the vicinity of 380 Normal Avenue in an effort to

ascertain the identity of the person whe recently

died at that address and to determine whether or

not the subject attended the funeral

2.1

W111 obtain the residence telephone number for ROSINA

LA ROcCA: CONTI and her husband, CATINo, at the

aforementioned address and will bear in mind that

the subject may be staying at this residence (or

have stayed there In the recent past) to avoid

the service of a subpoena.

3.0

Will give consideration to an interview of CATINO

conTI at his place of employment, bearing in mind

that he may be able to furnish information regarding

the whereabouts of LA ROCCA since February, 1958.

It Interviewed, a complete description of CONTI

should be obtained...u

JACKSONVILLE - INFORMATION

One copy of this report is being furnished for information

because of allegations made by informants concerning

subject's travel in Florida and Cuba during his so-called

"aisappearance" from Pittsburgh.

with the background

supplied,

it is feit that Jacksonville can intelligently

handle the ceverage of ary future leads requested.

3 5 0

#NES: 200094.74

nett

NW 68262 Docld:32332885 Page 6

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## Page 7

PG 92-226

9.

Will regularly contact potential criminal informants

GEORGE

"MOON" MESSER and FRANCES PRIAM so that ample

coverage may be afforded the LA ROCCA: - GENOVESE

Interests.:

10.

Will, through established Informant coverage, endeavor

to ascertain the specific whereabouts of the

subject

auring the months of February - April, 1958, and

his mode of travel during this period.

121

11. Will make arrangements to interview HARRY STEELE,

senior partner, Fauset, Steele and Company, 1812

First National Bank Building, Pittsburgh (Grant: 1-3883)

a neighbor who is alleged to have been friendly and

any

information of a personal nature he may be able to

furnish.

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