Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, NY
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 10/15/1956
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/27/201

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER: 124-10306-10102

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

CR 62-75147-34-240

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: SAC, NY

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE: 10/15/1956

PAGES:

75

SUBJECTS:

NRO, ASSOC, OC, GAMBLING ACT, B/F INT

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION:

Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4

CURRENT STATUS : Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 05/05/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS: INC RPT, 2 ADMIN PAGES

v9.1

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Indum • UNITED SLAiT GOVERNMENT

DATB: 10/15/56

. 8

BECT:

VIRGETOR, FBI

SAC, NEW YORK (94-419) •

ASHERAL INVESTIGATIVE INTSLLIGENCE FILE

SENT - ANNUAL' REPORT

FOR PERIOD APRIL 15, 1956 THROUGH

OCTOBER 15, 1956

There 1s transmitted herewith two coples of the

Sent-Annual General Investigative Intelligence Report for

the New York Division of the period April 15, 1956, to

October 15, 1956.

N CONTAINED

individual agents contributed

This la an administrative report and the foll

800t

Hions of this report:

to the various captioned

A. ORGANIZED CRIME

SA LEON CO KELMER

Be INDIVIDUAL MOBSTERS SA LEON C. KELMER

AND RACKETHERS

-

C. POLITICAL TIES WITH.

ORGANIZED CRIME

SA LEON C. KELMER

Do POLICE EFFICIENCY

SA AUGUST J. MICEK

E. GAMBLING

SA LEON C. KELMER

F. CRIMINAL, RACKETS ACTIVITIES

(a) Waterfront Activitles-

ITA

(b) Garment District

SA EDWARD I. KELLY

ILGHU

(o) NYO Labor Racketeering

SA LEON G. KELMER

Cages

(a):

VICTOR RIESEL

(0) to at lonal Brother

Dad

meters

(1) In

TRON

Gartmen

SA

sonic.

5ne 1902)

(Enct. 1)

wark (Enol. 1)

hiladelphia (Encil

ew

INDEX 2D-39.20

ENCLOSORD

ORDERE

es mado

163/78

S8K 15156,

ME FEBRY"

9957

i3to)

290)

12-19-94 HSCA SUBT. MARTIN FOX

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NY 94-419

A.

ORGANIZED GANGS

as other reliable informants

state that the syndicate still controls most of the

organized gangs in the New York metropolitan area.

The

synaicate, as previously reported, controls major rackets

In the United States, such as bookmaking, narcotics, numbers,

gambling, garment trucking, vending machines, juke, boxes

and many other rackets.

Mr. EDWARD JONES, Investigator, New York City

Anti-Crime Committee, advised that he had received information

from a confidential source, who has furnished him reliable

Information in the past, that on the afternoon of May 18,

1956, there was a meeting. of about 35 of the top racketeers

who are members of the Eastern Syndicate of the United

States in Suite

2003 in the St. Moritz Hotel, New York Clty.

Among those present at the meeting who could

be identified by the informant were top hoodlums VINCENT

ALO, "TRIGGER MIKE" COPPOLA, JOEY RAO, BENNY LIVINE and

MEYER LANSKY.

Also present

at the meeting was the

notorious New York gambler, IOMMX MILO, gambler ARTHUR

"LEFTY" CLARK, and Miami Beach Fontainebleau Hotel owner

BEN NOVAK.

According to JONES, those present at the meeting

decided that with FRANK COSTELLO's conviction, his useful-

ness as the head of the Eastern Syndicate was at an end

and that an election should be held for a replacement

for COSTELLO.

New York top hoodlum VINCENT ALO was selected

to replace COSTELLO as head or the Eastern Syndicate and

Miami top hoodlum CHARLIE POURINE was selected as the

"enforcer."

Also at the meeting was New fork gambler, JERRI RYAN,

who had recently lost $35,000 in an open crap game at.

the Hotel Victoria, New York City.

RYAN was warned that,

In the future, he was not to flash that kind of money.

!

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NY 94-419

Mr. JONES advised that Suite 2003 at the Hotel

St: Moritz was rented on a

• long-term basis by a garment

manufacturer, one LEO MORRIS, who is connected with the

furrier firm of Morris, Suskind and Reich, 243 West 30th

Street, New York City.

Mr. JONES advises that top

hoodlum BENNY LEVINE and Fontainebleau Hotel owner BEN

NOVAK and NOVAl's sister, own Laurels City Club, Sackett

Lake, New York, which is a well known New York summer resort..

In regard to VINCENT ALO,

Mr. JONES advised that

on September 12, 1956, VINCHNT ALO, MEYER LANSKY and Mayor

SROGAN, of Jersey City, New Jersey, met in a suite on the

twelfth floor of the Hotel Lincoln,

New York City.

According to Mr. JONES, MARIAfARAMER, Owner-of the Hotel

Lincoln, is a close friend of the well known hoodlum, OwNEY

ONES atated that the manager of the Hotel Lincoln is a

MADDIN stays at the Hotel Lincoln when in New York.

mob contact, and that when VINCENT ALO visits the Hotel

Lincoln, he shakes hands with the manager, giving him a

$100 b111.

NY 1449-0 advised in regard to the racket set-up

in the garment area that 2 gangs control all criminal

activities in these areas.

He stated that one of these i

gangs, which is headed by

VITO GENOVESE, controls the

Italian element in thése areas.

The other gang consists

of the control of the Jewish element which is controlled

by MEYER LANSKY.

The informant stated VITO GENOVESE is the

biggest hoodlum in the United States today, and that only

one man is stronger than GENOVESE in the United States,

ana that man is fishell oi chicago, Illinois. He stated

that because of the vast power that

GENOVESE presently

holds in the United States, he cannot adequately place

too much control in one area.

Hence, his control in

the garment area of New York City 13

rather loose, ano

che Jewish Gangs apparently at the present time, have a

stricter enforcement code to control this specific area.

The informant furnished the following information

concerning. the control in the garment area by the Jewish

Gangs:

He stated that MEYER LANSKY is presently the

top man in this area. He continued that LANSKY recently

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NY 94-419

HYMIE SEIGEL eats each morning in the Stage

Restaurant, located at 51st Street and Seventh Avenue,

with the NEWMAN brothers. SEIGEL has purchased part of

the Reed Courtney Combine and SEIGEL presently has offices

at 140 West 37th Street, New York City.

The informant

described these offices

as & Trucking Office in which

SEIGEL operates from a

rear room.

Concerning LEVINE, the informant reported that

LEVINE has non-union shops which make coats and dresses

in Farmingdale, Long Island, Now Jersey and Baltimore,

Maryland.

the

Informant stated LEVINE can be located

at

the fabric, miu, located at 500 Seventh Avenue. LEVINE

owns a part in this firm.

It is to be noted HYMIE SEIGEL was arrested

on February 3, 1956, at an apartment located at Miami Beach,

Florida, by Special

Agents of the Internal revenue service,

'on failure to register for a 150 gambling stamp. salGel's

Dade County Sheriff's Office Number 191298.

This raid,

according to the Miami Office, was conducted in an effort

to ascertain more information

concerning the Reed

Courtney

Combine.

Informants, NY 204-C, NY 169-C and NY 842-0,

as well as Lléutenant WALTER CASEY, of the Bureau of

criminal Information, New York City POlice Department,

all advised that the

top leaders

of the Syndicate in the

New York Metropolitan area age:

42-1

VINCENT "JIMMY BLUS EYES"

ADa - Reported new"prime Minister

Tit he syndicate."

FRANK COSTELLO - Former "Rrime Minister of the Syndicate!; &te

front man and political contact, who 1s

now in jail.

THOMAS LUCHESE - Associated with "TRIGGER MIKE" COPPOLA,

In the Last Harlem mos and influential

garment district racketeer with political

connections.

N

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NY 94-419

The Lower East Side Italian mob is headed by JOSEPH "SOCKS"

LANZA, a top hoodlum,

whose center of operations has been

area of operations is anthe garment district, The DIOGUARDIA

BLOGUARDIA, brothers, JOHNNY and FRANK, whose principal Lat/lMu,

brothers' uncle is JIMMYXPLUMERI, with allas:

a

ARBO, in the

boxing racket.

.V.y

3. New York Waterfront

The New York waterfront, according to New York

163-C, and the New York-New Jersey Waterfront Commission;

is under the control of eddie me chali, a top hoodlum.

They state that no murder decisions are made by hoodlums

on the Waterfront without the knowledge or consent of

MC GRATH.

Associated with MC GRATH IS MICKEY BOWERS, Who

1s the Upper East Side hoodlum leader, and has control of

the racketeering on the piers fron 42nd Street north.

to 57th Street,

on the North River of New York.

Associated

with - BOWERS in

this mob are soNy CAyPsELL, ALBERT ACKALrIS,

DANNY

• JOHN, MICKEY/MANE, JOHNNYX

and EDWARD HAHY.

Lo East Harlom and Harlem

=.-

Mad Hedy:

The East Harlem Italian mob, which is also known

as the lloth Street mob, is probably the most powerful

mob organization in New York. It is strictly an Italian

mob headed by "TRIGGER" MIKE COPPOLA, and includes the

following Individuals who have tremendous power in the

¡different areas of the city:

TOMMY "THREE FINGERS BROWN

interests are principally in politics and in garment area

trucking.

•nal control a than and to en.

"FAT TONY' SALERNO,, powerful Harlem and Bast

dartem numbers racketeer.

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NY 94-419

VINCENT

LO waS

FBI. #554810

NYCPD #B 58781

TM4111'41

VINCENT ALO has been a big time gambling

operator for many years.

He spends most of his time in

Florida where he has resided since about 1936.

ALO has a

nome in holLywoodsoda, and an apartment tia at 32 River-

side Drive,

brother-in-law,, VINCENT BANJO pas been reported that

CONTRALTA, resides at this

address.

On March 23 and 30, 1956, Potential Criminal

Informant FRANK GAGLIO was unable

to identify a photograph

of VINCENT ALO, with alias: Jimmy Blue Eyes.

The informant

stated he knew JIMMY, LUE EYES by reputationonly, and that

JIMMY BLUE EYES, JOEASTUTZ (Phonetic), an Italian gambler from

Harlem,

JOYNY MILO, with alias: Marlowe, SAMXSCHLITZ, and

CHARLIE BULLETS controlled the numbers rackets from Harlem to

Yonkers.

The Informant advised that these individuals

occasionally met at Barnita'g Restaurant, Jerome Avenue and

Mount Eden Avenue, Bronx, New York.

On May

29,

1956, NY 842-C advised that VINCENT

ALO still controls a "Book" in

the Bronx.

He did not know

whether or not ALO actually runs the "book" or 1f he has

someone operating it for him.

reliable information In the past to the effect that on the

alternoon of May 10, 1950, there

unirty-iive o1 the top racketeers who are members or the

Eastern Syndicate of the United States.

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NY 94-419

A meeting was held In Suite 2003, St. Moritz

Hotel, New York City.

This suite at the Hotel St. Moritz,

MORRISE tO JONES, is rented on a long term basis by o

a furrier of the firm of Morris, Suskind and Reich,

243 West 30th Street, New York City.

Among those present at the meeting who could

be identified by the informant were VINCENT ALO,

"TRIGGER MIKE"

JOEY RAO, BENNY LEVINE, MEYER LANSKY, TOMMY MILO,

COPPOLARTENTY" CLARK and BEN NOVAK, owner of the Fontainebleau

Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida.

According to JONES, those present at the meeting

decided that with FRANK COSTELLO's conviction his usefulness

as the head of the Eastern Syndicate was at an end, and that

an election should be held for a replacement

VINCENT ALO was selected to replace COSTELLO FOr COSTELLO.

as head of the

Eastern Syndicate. CHARLES TOURINE Of Miami was selected as

the "enforcer."

JERRY RYAN, a New York gambler, was at the

meeting.

He had recently lost $35,000 in an open crap game

at the Hotel Victoria, New York city. RYAN was allegealy

warned at this meeting that in the future he was not to flash that

kind of money.

On December 23, 1955, MM 322-C advised that

JACKI

LANSKY, MEYER, LANSKY,

FBI Number 791783, VINCENT ALO and

SAMUEL LAWRENCE BRATT, FBI Number 5036886, were In Hollywood,

Florida:

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NY 94-419

ANTHONY CARFANg, waS:

"Little Augie»

"Little Augie Pisano"

FBI Number 652552

NYUPD Number B113063

Accoraing to PCI NICHOLAS PETILLO, CARPANO

continues to be an important member of the syndicate in New

York, and closely associated with FRANK COSTELLO, MEYER

deported JOE ADONIS.

the Italian

nephew,

Lottery LOUIS DI SALVIO, 1S a

stated on February 15, 1956, that AUGIE's

who runs the

"Democrati, Club" at Lafayette and Spring

District leader

Streets, New York City: DI SALVIO reportedly is aware of

CARFANO's operations.

According to the records of the New York

City Police Department,

the national l1st of the F.B.N. Iists CARPANO ON having

been born in New York City in 1898.

New York Informant 169-C advised on July 20, 1956,

that he heard that CARFANO 1s spending the summer in or

near Long Beach, Long Islard, New York, and 1s supposed to

be behind a large crap game, either in session or proposed

for that area.

"Ine New York Herald Tribuen" dated March 16,

1956, stated:

"LITTLE AUGIE PISANO insisted on a secret

rendezvous yesterday, with New Jersey Police, before he

would agree to questioning in the attempted assassination

of LOUIS SAPERSTEIN, on Saturday, in Newark.

"PISANO and his lawyer, HAROLD CORBIN, met

Newark Police Lieutenant JOSEPH KINNEY and four other officers

somewhere in Manhattan, and told them he did not know anything

about the attempted killing of SAPERSTEIN, former insurance

man.

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NY 94-419

been in Newark in three years.

for bribery,

in New York County Jail, on SAPERSteIN's testimony,

but the indictment was dismissed on a technicality.

Potential Criminal Informant JACK MARRAFFA, on

August 24, 1956, Identified bankrollers of Itallan lottery

In the United states as JOE ADONIS; VITO GENOVESE, and

other big-shot syndicate members including "LITTLE AUGIE"

CARFANO.

on March 3, 1950, Mr. EDWARD COFFEY, Vice-

President of the thoroughbred Racing Protective Bureau, 405

Lexington avenue, yesterday advised that on January 11, 1956,

while having lunch, he noticed the following individuals having

a conierence at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel:

FRANK COSTELLO

FRANK ERICKSON

"LITTLE AUGIE" CARFANO

MYER LANSKY

JOE SCHOENBAUM (Former Internal Revenue

commisstoner

JIMYO 'CONNELI (Bodyguard for COSTELLO)

FRANK LIVORSKI, was, Federal Bureau of

Investigation Number 70-2029, carried as a top hoodlum in the

New York Office, 1s reported to associate with CARFANO.

"..

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JAK - 18

NY 94-419

this source:

MISHEL advised that CHAIT had to acquire stops

co operate the Ileet of sixteen trucks and acquired the

stops the same way he musceled into Stern!s Express:

Ny 842-C, who has furnished reliable informatior.

relative to garment district racketeers, advised on July

26, 1955, that CHAIT holds a doninant place in the garment

center areas of New York. He advised that approximately two

the previous a corden to deta talk are

allegedly bought out THOMAS LUCHESE, with alias

Fingers Brown."

CHATt is reported to have paid an even

million dollars in cash to LUCHESE fo? his interest in the

garment center area with the understanding that thereafter

Luchi and his associates would lears this area to CHAIT.

The source staced that theire was considerabe talk in the

underworld as to whether this move would mean that the Jewish

element was to become cominant in relations to the Italian

element now reportedly in control of various activities in

the garment center area.

IRVING MISHEL advised in 1953, that Zenith

Associates, 570 Seventh Avenue, New York City, was a

factoring firm which made loans to many of the top

hoodlums in New York City, and cashed checks for the top

bookmakers and racketeers.

This firm had connections with

the National Safety Bank,

38th Street and Broadway, New

fork, and the Pennsylvania Exchange Bank.

Jewish decent.

IRVING MISHEL Claimed these Individuals had

alon connections and were in a position to either operat

on-union shops, furnish protection for non-union shopg o

operate under special

Garment workers Union, Contract with the International Ladies

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NX 94-419

According to JONES, those present at the meeting

decided that with FRANK COSTELLO'S conviction his useful-

ness as

the head of the Eastern syndidate was

at an end and

that an election should be held for a replacement for COSTELLO.

New York top hoodlum VINCENT ALO was selected to replace

COSTELLO as head of the Eastern Syndicate ana the Miami top

hoodlum, CHARLES TOURINE, was selected as the "enforcer."

JONES advised that Suite 2003 of the St. Moritz

Hotel, New York City, was rented on a long term basis by a

garment manulacturers

one LEON MORRIS, who is connected with

the furrier firm of Morris, Suskind and Reich, 243 West 30th

Street, New York City.

When the above information was furnished to the

they directed by letter dated July 10, 1956, that

further developments concerning the reported appointment of

VINCENT ALO to succeed FRANK COSIELLO in underworld affairs

be followed.

On July 17, 1956, MM 509-C advised the Miami'

Office that he was in Miami from New York City and that he had

....

heard nothing relative to a meeting in New York City whereby

VINCENT ALO was allegedly appointed to succeed FRANK COSTELLO.

/LA

not think ALO had enough standing in the sybdicate to succeed

FRANK COSTELLO.

"TOP

On August 21, 1956, NY 1874-C advised SA FREDERICK

F. DALX that he was informed by

"BOBO" GIORDANO, a collector

for the FANELLI mois on the East Side,/ that a meeting was held

in Hot Springs, Arkansas, by the gambling syndicate to aiscuss

a replacement for FRANK COSTELLO and that a meeting was scheduled

for the same place during September.

According to GIORDANO,

no specific decision was reached and CARMINE BOVE, FRED

and a racketeer named MALINDRI, lare

all under

consideration.

NO L2

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EJD-17

NY 94-419

1437

Secretary:

Treasurer

Local

405, Retail Clerks Inter-

national Association.

The article also includes infor-

mation to the effect that Assistant District Attorney,

=

the fulfillment or his commitment to bar strikes in the

two companies.

The article reflects that GOLDSTEIN was

referred to,

"go

between" in relations between

DIOGUARDI and

ANTHONY CORALLO, by HOGAN®

JAMES J. DWYER, Area Director, New York State

Parole Board, 320 Broadway, New York City, advised on

August 16, 1956, that JOHN DIOGUARDI while incarcerated

at sing sing Prison on August 3, 1931, listed the

following individuals as friends:

CHAREEVE

511 Mulrose Avenue

Chicago, Illinois

ROBERT D

•GORDON

511 Mulrose Avenue

Chicago, ITlinois

HARRY WEEBERG

Ludlow and livingston Streets

New Yorks New York

MURRAY ROSE

DON VeTTEO

1400 Broadway

53 Watt Street

New tOrK-New YOrK

New York, New York

On May T, 13, and 29, 1956, Confidential

Informant, NY 1733-C, advised that CHARLES CARLINO

was closely associated with JOHN DIO and his brother,

THOMAS DIO.

Confidential Informant NY 842-C, advised between

May 12 and 18, 1950, that JOHN DIOGUARDI was a former

partner of CHARLIE, mISO.

JOHN O'MARA, New. York City Anti-Crime Committee,

advised that committee

records reflected the following

associates of JOHN DIOGUARDI:

GEORGE/SEMELMA, Clerk, also known as George

Siegal and as GeorgeBaker-the organizer in the New York

area in the UAW-AFL.

UNITA DURE ENORANT

JOSEPH/OCHEN, on the staff of the /UAW-AFL, New

York area-frequently seen on clandestine trips by

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NY 94-419

The New York City Anti-Crime Committee files

contain information to the effect that JOHN DIOGUARDI

had the following girlfriends:

secretary to Local 102, VAW-AFL.

BAD LAKE, dancer and model; ADELIAPERT,

These records further reveal that DIOGUARDI

was

said to be contributing to the supporc of a blonde

girl of polish extraction for a number of years, however,

her identity never was revealed.

In an article in the 'New York Times"of March

10, 1956, New York County District Attorney Is quoted

as having stated that evidence is his possession shows

that CORAÏLO-DIO group was attempting to influence

the outcome of the Joint Teamsters Council Elections,

(the CORALLO refers to ANTHONY CORAL.O and the DIO

refers to JOHN DIOGUARDI).

On August 11, 1956, Confidential Informant

842-C advised that he has a long time acquaintanceship

with DIOGUARDI.

He statea that CHARLES TUSO, (FBI #

302013), was in the early 1930's a partner of DIOGUARDI'S

and that together they committed an armed robbery for

which TUSO was apprehended and convicted, but refused

to Implicate DIOGUARDI in the volation thus allowing

DIOGUARDI to escape detection.

The informant stated that DIOGUARDI was sub-

sequently arrested along with his uncle, JAMES PLUMERI,

for extortion and was committed to Sing

Sing Penitentary

and subsequently served time along with TUSO. While at

Sing Sing, DIOGUARDI was very closely associated with

JOE BERGER.

On July 11, 1956, DIO was Interviewed in con-

junction with the investigation of the case entitled

'ABRAHAM TELVI, Was (Deceased) et al; VICTOR RIESEL

N4

or developed any information concerning the Riesel attack,

or concerning any other crime, he would not furnish it to

the Federal Bureau of Investigation or any other law enforce-

ment agency.

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NY 94-419

There are two other gambling casinos operating

in Cuba at the present time.

One is located at the Varadere

International Hotel at Varadere Beach, Cuba, which 1s located

approximately 80 miles east of Havana.

The other gambling

casino is located in Santiago de Cuba at the Casa Grande Hotel.

The city of Santiago de Cuba is located in the eastern part

of the island of Cuba and 1s approximately 700 miles from

Havana.

With reference to the possibility that gambling

in Cuba is controlled by a syndicate headed by MEYER LANSKY or

other individuals, it is noted that DINO CELLINI, who has

operated the gambling casino at the Tropicana for many years,

is also running the gambling casino at Oriental Park Race Irack.

His brother, EDDIE CELLINI, has been placed in the casino at

the Hotel Nacional as a floor man in

the gambling room. Also,

Information has been received from It. HERIBERTO HERNANDEZ

of the Cuban National Police that the license for operating

the Cuban Goveriment to OSCAR_H ECHEMENDARIA, who is an associate

It appears likely,

and director of the a some sort on tie-in between at east

therefore,

four of Havana's gambling casinos.

This matter is being followed,

and the Bureau will be kept advised.

NY 1449C advised from March 15, 1956, to March

31, 1956, that at the present time, two gangs control all

criminal activities in the Garment area.

He said one of

these gangs which is headed by VITO GENOVESE controls the

Italian element in

this area.

The other gang consists of

the Jewish element which is controlled by MEYER LANSKY. &

The informant stated VITO GENOVESE 1S

one of the biggest

hoodlums in the United States, and that only one man is

stronger than GENOVESE in the

sh the united

and that man is

FISCHETTI of Chicago, Illinois.

unate Sated that becat e of the

his control in the Garment Area of New YOrk City is

rather loose,

and the Jewish Gangs apparently at the present time, have a

stricter enforcement code to control this specific area.

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NY 94-419

BENJAMIN

EVINE,

was

FBI # 1460799

NYCPD #B 36750

BENJAMIN LEVINE 1s an extremely wealthy

He Is reportedly

on the not power individuals in the garment industry

racket picture.

BENJAMIN LEVINE resides at 1136 5th Avenue.

_N.i

where he reportedly owns the entire building.

Residing

with him are his sons, ARTHUR and HERBERT,

VIVE

BENJAMIN LEVINE WAS

previously reported residing

at 1130 Fifth Avenue,

New York City, where he had unlisted

telephone number TR 6-9670.

A check of the Telephone Company

records by A ROBERT D. WARDEN in September, 1956, revealed

that TR 6-9670 is no longer subscribed to by BENJAMIN LEVINE.

No listing. either published or unpublished was found for

BENJAMIN. LEVINE at this address. LEVINE'S sons, ARTHUR and

HERBERT, continue to have listed telephone numbers at the

1136 Fifth Avenue..

New York City, address.

The August 29, 1956, cuition of the newspaper,

"Newsday," reflects on page ic that BENJAMIN LEVINE re-

sides at 1496 Bay Boulevard, Atlantic Beach, Long Island,

New York. This same article reflects that LEVINE has a

$90,000 house at this address and it describes LEVINE as

"Mr. BIG" of the garment racket..

NY 1449-0 advised in March, 1956, that

MEYER LANSKY was the top man in the garment area, and the

informant placed BENJAMIN LEVINE under LANSKY.

LEVINE,

according to the informant, controls all of the contractors

in the industry and decides which contractors will deal with

the garment manufacturers.

ally, that LEVINE has non-union shops which make coats and

dresses in Farmingaale, Long Island, Baltimore, Marylana,

and in New Jersey.

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NY 94-419

According to JonEs, those present at the meet-

ing decided

hoodlum, CHARLES

1 it..

JONES advised further that Sulte 2003 at the Saint

Noritz Hotel was rented on a long term basis by a garment

one LEO MORRIS, who is connected with the fur

New York City.

notel owner, BEN NovAk, along with NOVAK's sister own

Laurels City Club, Sackett Lake, New York, which is a well-

known New York summer resort.

NY 99-C advised on July 6, 1956, that BENJAMIN

LEVINE reportedly owns the following companies:

Olive Coat Company

Sunray Coat Company

Royal Mist Coat Company

Kolmer - Freeman

According

"partnerg" to the informant, LEVINE would probably have

running the above companies for him.

"mob" had a "plece" informant advised, additionally, that the

01 LOU SCHNEIDER's business (ladies'

suits and coats) and the informant specifically mentionéd

BENJAMIN LEVINE and JOE MILLER as having a part.

An anonymous letter received by United States

ittorney, PAUL WILLIAMS on August 30, 1956, in connectior

with the VICIOR RIESEL case reflects

TOM CUDDY "handles

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LUCHESE along with others has connections with certain unions

and

gets

a piece of the union welfare funds.

NY 1449-C furnished the following Information

from March 15, 1956 to March 31, 1956 In connection with the

Garment and Irucking Investigation.

This informant advised that MEYER LANSKY 18

presently the top man in the New York city Garment Area.

He is represented by Attorney MOE POLAKOFF, 430 Park Avenue,

New York City,

LANSKY controls DAVID DUBINSKY of the International

Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU); LANSKY dictates all

policy to this Union Head. Underneath LANSKY, the Informant

places one BENNY LEVINE.

According to this informant, LEVINE

controls all the Contractors in the Industry and 1s the man

who allocates which Contractors deal with the Garment

Manufacturers.

Below LEvINE, the informant places on the

same level, THOMAS LUCHESE and HYMIE SEIGEL.

He stated that

LUCHESE controls the Cutters and the Contractors in the

Garment Area.

On April 9, 1956, Mrs. JESSIE BANKS, 1038

Capouse Avenue, Scranton,

--

operated by oscar Zinn,

Brown. ' Young BROWN was rumored around the plant to be

a West Point graduate.

est Pond emanat until not turned to neator city

for the weekend.

manager, (FNU) St. George.

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NY 94-419

ABNER ZWILLMAN, was:

"Longy"

Zillman, etal

FBI # 346333

"LONGY" ZWILLMAN has been known for many years

as one of the most powerful members of the Syndicate in

the United States.

Of late years, he has assumed the

status of a responsible, successful businessman.

On March 31, 1956, NY 1449-C advised that

MEYER LANSKY was in control

of one of the two gangs

which controlled all criminal activities in the garment

district in New York City.

Mork City, who represents LANSKY, to obtain legal aid

for ZWILLMAN in his income tax difficulties.

The following is extracted from the column

Of VICTOR RIESEL, entitled "Multi-Barreled Purpose

In Saperstein Shooting,"

which appeared in the March

14, 1956, edition of the "New York Mirror," and con-

cerns the shooting of SAPERSTEIN in Newark, New

Jersey.

"He is LOUIS SAPERSTEIN, mulcter-extraordingary

of union welfare funds. He dipped in for almost $1,000,000.00.

"And he kicked back to a string of union men and

their underworld protectors from coast-to-coast. He

did business under the protection of one of the board

of directors of the Crime Syndicate-ABNER (LONGIE)

ZWILLMAN.

ZWILLMAN got hot recently when the Internal

Revenue Service cracked down.. Like FRANKIE COSTELLO,

when a high mogul of the mob gets hot, he loses prestige

in the underworld.

"With ZWILLMAN for the moment otherwise occupied,

see don state after sade o his friends in the labor

On July 6, 1956, NY 99-C furnished the following

informatión:

A. F WIINER, Auctioneer, 11 Commerce Street,

Newark, New Jersey, 1s allegedly friendly with United

States District Court Judge MeDARELLI (phonetic) oI

Newark who presided over the recent trial of JOSEPH

"DOC" "STACHER, which trial resulted in STACHER's acquittal,

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NY 94-419

Gulfstream Park

The informant stated that the Ryder Brothers

have the policing of this track.

COPPOLA, RYAN, and

BROOKS particularly control bookmaking at this

track.

During the past season, all three would handle

all of the large play at the Club House, while RYAN

and BROOKS took care of the customers in the box seats.

The informant stated that he has often seen FRANK RYDER

in conversation with MIKE COPPOLA in the Club House.

Jefferson Street in Hollywood, and who is often

in New York in the company of BENNY LEVINE.

Hialeah Race Track

The Informant stated that JOHM MADALA

is the boss of police at this track, and that the same

conditions that exist at Gulfstream

exist at Hialeah.

I. MANHATTAN GAMBLING

A. Bookmaking

NY 1449-C advised that HYMIE SEIGEL, who 1s a

troubleshooter for the International Ladies Garment

workers Union, is the head shylock for the garment

industry and furnishes loans in this capacity to

manufacturers who are going in the red at exorbitant

interest rates.

salaeL now controls approximately

10 to 14 bookmakers in the New York City area and 1s

referred to as the man who took BUGSY SEIGEL'S

place in the garment industry.

This Informant

stated that HYMIE SEIGLE eats each morning in the Stage

Restaurant located at 51st Street and Seventh Avenue

with the NEWMAN brothers. The informant stated that

SEIGEL

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NY 94-419

B. Garment District - ILGWU

Criminal control in the garment district is

the subject of a pending investigation in the New

York Office under the caption Garment - Trucking

Investigation and Anti-Racketeering, Bureau file

number 91-1794, New York file number 92-305.

In this connection NY. 1449-0 on March 31,

1956, advised that at the present time two gangs

controlled all criminal activities in the garment

area of New York City.

He stated that one of these

gangs, which 1s headed by VITO GENOVESE, Comprises the

control of the. Italian element in these areas.

other gang consists of the control of the Jewish

element which is controlled by MEYER LANSKY.

informant stated VITO GENOVESE 1s the biggest hoodlum

in the United States today, and that only one man is

stronger than GENOVESE In the United States, and that

man 18, FICHElT of Chicago, Illinois.

He stated that

because of the vast power •

that GENOVESE

presently holds in the United States, he cannot adequately

place too much contol in one area.

Hence, his controi

in the Garment Area of New York City is rather loose,

and the Jewish Gangs apparently at the present time,

have a stricter enforcement code to control this

specific area.

During the course of this discussion with

the informant, the informant furnished the following

Information concerning the control in the Garment Area

by the Jewish Gangs:

He stated that MEYER LANSKY is presently

the top man in this area.

He continued that LANSKY

recently moved from the Essex House, New York City,

and is presently residing at the San Moritz Hotel, New

He stated that this

Attorney handles all legal business for LANSKY, and

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NY 94-419

MORRISH

KLAMAS, Was: Moe, Klamas, Moe Klemas, Moe Clemmons

Investigation in the case entitled GARMFNT

TRUCKING INVESTIGATION, ANTI-RACKETEERING,

disclosed

the following information concerning MORRIS KTAMAS,

who is alleged to be one of the leading racketeers in

the garment industry:

MORRIS KLAMAS, according to information

obtained from the New York City Anti-Crime Committee

based on a 1952 Investigation, was

the Executive

Director of

the Master Truckmen of America, 200 West

34th Street, New York, New York, an association of

key garment industry truekment

operating in the

New York City area.

The Anti-Crime Committee also revorted that

advising that "Moe Klemas was the collector for

It had received an anonymous letter in December, Johnnie

Dio who helps run the trucking rackets in the garment

Industry."

The New Jork City Anti-Crime Committee reported

that in the suring of 1952, MOF KLAMAS had been observed

In the Cavalier Restaurant with one THOMAS MARINO.

NY 842-C, who has furnished reliable information

on Garment Center racketeers, advised that MOE KAMAS

was one of the leaders in the Master Trucking Association

in 1948 who organized the so-called Italian faction in

the Garment Center, which tried to wrest control of

the trucking business from the Garment Center Trucking

Association

This effort failed, and the former group

was dissolved in 1949.

The records of the Bureau of Special Services,

New York City Police Department, were reviewed on March

9,1956, but no record could be

round for KTAMAS based

upon information avallable.

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MISHL stated that during 1953 the control

of the aforementioned individuals had given way to the

Italian faction which included JOE STRACCI, alias Joe

DIO brothers,

JOHN, THOMAS and

FRANK, MON KHAMAS,

SQUINT (phonetic), FAT TONY SALERNO, FRANK CARBO, EDDIE

COCo, and others.

One JOE DIAMOND was reported by NY 842-S as

a representative of ANTHONY BONASARA and JOHN "Bath

Beach" ODDO in the garment center.

Files of

the New York City Anti-Crime

Committee Indicate receipt of information in 1954 that

JOE, DIAMOND associated with ODDO, MORRIS KLEMS and

IZZY SCHWARTZ and that DIAMOND was not only connected

In the garment district but was a Brooklyn mobster.

Other New York City Anti-Crime Committee sources

described DIAMOND as close to JAMES PTIMFRI and to

HARRY KLAR.

NY 842-C advised that an organization to

which he

was made

element.

The informant advised that in 1948 and 1949, this

association tried to buck ABF CHAIT for control of

trucking the garment center area.

At that time, they

were unsuccessful.

Recently, Master. Trucking has been

showing great strength and Is reportedly making headway

against CHAIT In the garment center truck industry.

He said this association 1s made up of the following:

JOHN DIOGUARDI

FRANK DIOGUARDI

THOMAS DIOGUARDI

JAMES-PLUMERI

MOE KLAMAS

ARTHUR ROCCAMENTE

JOE STRACCI

ANTHONY TREZ, INI

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GENERAL CRIME CONDITIONS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY

YONKERS RESIDENT AGENCY, YONKERS, NEW YORK

A. Organized Crimes

Deputy Commissioner of Public Safety JAMES MC CUE,

other high polica officials and NY 1427-C have all indicated

that they have no knowledge of organized crime in Yonkers,

New York.

Bo Individual Racketeers and Mobsters

in Utica, New York on income tax evasion for failure to pay

the government $100,000 tax.

He was connected with the Getty

Square Récreation Company and the Oakmont Holding Company, as

well as being the head of the Westchester Carting Company, a

concern engaged in collecting commercial refuse.

Testimony was introduced in the recent trial of

RATTENNI that showed he had invested up to $35,000 between

1946-1950,

the period that he is charged with tax evasion.

The name of RATTENNI and FRANK COSTELLO were mentioned publicly

In October 1953, when the Roosevelt Raceway indicated they

had been

trying

to buy back a "Gangster Tainted" block of 6400

shares of stock worth $179,000 from the Old Country Trotting

Association.

That stock was then held by RATTENNI's wife,

cepted asociate of eater, a Cold obed then as a

THOMAS MILO, SR., With allases, FBI # 100200, 25

Lamartine Terrace, Yonkers, New York is reported to have

been associated with FRANK COSTELLO, THREELFINGERS BROWN

other top New York City

MILO 1S

still

considered as the

"KING PIN" of gambling activit.es in lower

Westchester County.

Information has been developed that on May 10,1956,

THOMAS MILO, SR. attended a meeting at the st. Moritz Hotel,

New York City, with about 35 top racketeers who are members of

"Eastern Syndicate". Among those present were VINCENT ALO,

"TRIGGER MILE" COPPOLA, JOEY RAO, BENNY LEVINO, and MEYER LANSKY

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