Originator: FBI
From: PG
To: HQ
Document date: 05/16/1961
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

5/12/201

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-90104-10306

RECORD SERIES:

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

92-2940-144

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act

of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note i .

Case#:NW 56792 Date: 04-11-2018

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: PG

TO: HQ

TITLE :

DATE: 05/16/1961

PAGES:

89

SUBJECTS:

SEBASTIAN JOHN LAROCCA

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 3; 4; 11(a)

CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 07/31/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE, APPROVAL OF IRS

•COMMENTS: RPT

v9.1

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PG 92-226

PITTSBURGH

AT PITTSBURGH, PA. (ALLEGHENY COUNTY)

Will follow and report activities of SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA and

his associates in accordance with Bureau instructions.

ADMINISTRATIVE

Information contained in this report concerning possible

submitted by

losing dated 25/be entities YESTERN PENNSYLVANIA:

closing report dated 4/26/61, entitled.

CEMENT BLOCK ASSOCIATION, Pittsburgh, Pa.," Pittsburgh file

Information contained in this report of possible value to

the Internal Revenue Service has been furnished to the

Intelligence Unit of the Internal Revenue Service at Pitts-

burgh, Pa.

Information concerning Western Pennsylvania National Bank

records and records of the United States National Bank in

Johnstown, Pa., as well as information regarding keystone.

This infOrmation was developed recently and

Inc., of Johnstown, Pa., has not. been fully developed.

the

"gir

will be

made available to this Bureau and Bureau Agents, will

examine

pertinent

bank records upon completion of examination being

conducted

NEViEWED

: BY SWORK TASK FORCE, - B=

ON

7-14-98 dcs

COVER PAGE

RELEASE IN FULL

• RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

JEK Law 11(a)

93-2940-144

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PG 92-226

Information from records of the Western Pennsylvania

National Bank, Washington Trust Office, was furnished

to SAA FRANK E. ALLISON On 5/1/61 by CHARLES METCALE,

Vice President, Western Pennsylvania National Bank.

Information was also furnished to SA ROBERT A. VOEGE

on 3/4/58 by LOUIS J. REIZENSTIEN, Executive Vice

President, Washington Trust Office, Western Pennsylvania

National Bank.

Information from the records of the united States

National Bank in Johnstown was furnished by b

Vice PresIdent, to SA d. EDMAO KERN DO W/2Z/5EY BONEDS,

Records of the Brookline Savings and Trust Company were

made available to SAA FRANK E. ALLISON On 4/17/61 by.

J. E: GERLACH, Assistant Vice President.

Records of the South Pittsburgh Savings and Loan Association

were made available to SAA FRANK E. ALLISON on 4/17/61 by

J. DOUGLAS DOLE, Executive Vice President and secretary.

INFORMANTS

PG T-1 is Dr. COSTANTINO FONTANA, Central Bureau, Italian

Criminal Police, Rome, Italy, who furnished Information to

the Legat at Rome, Italy, on 4/18/58.

PG T-2 is GEORGE

"MOON" MESSER, a potential criminal infor

mant of the Pittsburgh office, who was contacted by

SA ROBERT A. VOEGE on 2/27/58.

PG T-3 1s PG 612-C,

who was contacted by SA THOMAS G.

FORSYTH, III on 10/14/60.

PG T-4 1s PG 615-C, who was contacted by. SA THOMAS G.

FORSYTH, III on 10/14/60.

PG T-5 1s PG 585-C,

who was contacted by SA ROBERT A. VOEGE

on 2/19/58, 3/7/58, and 3/11/58.

PG T-6 1s CHESTER STUPAK, a former potential criminal

informant of the Pittsburgh Office, who was contacted by

'=.

C =

COVER PAGE

93-2940.144

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PG 92-226

SA JOHN S. PORTELIA on 12/13/54 and 10/21/55.

PA I-7 1s PG 561-C, who was contacted by SA CARL I.

SHERWOOD on 9/11/57.

PG .I-8 1S DAN FERRARI, a source of information, who

requested that his identity be concealed and who was

contacted by SA CARL I. SHERWOOD

on 1/13/58.

PG T-9 1s T. P. DERDOCK, Security Officer, Westinghouse

Electric Corporation, East Pittsburgh, Pa., who requested.

that his identity be concealed when he was contacted by

SA THOMAS G. FORSYTH, III on 1/14/58.

PG T-10 is ROBERT'F. MEHRLING, an employee of the Internal

Revenue Service at Pittsburgh, Pa., Who requested that his

1dentity be concealed when he

was contacted by SA GENE H.

STUDEBAKER on 12/10/57.

PG: T-11 is the confidential report of Dun and Bradstreet,

Inc.,

dated 4/19/59, and furnished by the Pittsburgh

office of that organization on 3/14/61.

PG T-12 1s HAROLD W. LAUVER, Supervisory Investigator,

Immigration and Naturalization Service, Plütsburgh; Pa.,

who requested that his identity be concealed when he was

contacted by SA WILLIAM R. WALL on 12/12, 12/13, 12/16;

and. 12/19/57.

PG T-13. 15 JAMES CUNNINGHAM,, Representative, Dun and

Bradstreet, Inc., Johnstown,

Pa.,

who requested that

identity be concealed when he was contacted by SA/J.

EDWARD KERN on 4/27/61.

DAS

REVIEWED BY. WJFK TASK. FORCE

ON

9/29/91 al

X0. RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

-D# -

COVER PAGE

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DETAILS:

A." PERSONAL HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

I. Birth Data

SEBASTIAN LA ROCCA, the son of IGNAZIO and. ROSARIA SCANCARELLO,

was born in Villa Rosa, Italy, on december 19s 1go4, and

departed from Villa Rosa prior to 1927.

the year In which the

registration of the inhabitants of that community was begun.

WITNESS :

PG 1-1

LA ROCCA arrived at New York City,

New York, on september 2,

1910, aboard the "SS Principe di

Piemonté" using

the, name

SEBASTIANO LA ROCCA and was eight years of age at that time.

He was a citizen of Italy, having been born at villarosa,

Sicily, and his prior permanent address was the same as his

birth.

He was accompanied by his mother, ROSARIA, age 32,

and sisters, ROSA, age 13, and ILLUMINATA, age 11.

He was

destined to visit

IGNAZIO LA ROCCA at Box 111, Reed, Pa., and

his passage was paid by his father.

The afore mentioned DuS

legal entry

was verified.

REVIEWED BY SWUFK TASK FORCE

WITNESS :

ON

9/29/92 do

WILLIAM D. BIOGS Y

47 RELEASE IN FULL

Officer in Charge

RELEASE IN PART

immigration and Naturalization Serviced TOTAL DENiAL

707 New Federal Building

Pittsburgh,

Pa., who can produce "Certificate of

Naturalization of Allen" from INS FIle A-5-537-570

relating to LA ROCCA (INS f1le: I-404A), and whose

COCOA INS

records must be subpoenaed.

II. Education

It was not possible to ascertain whether or not LA ROCCA

received any formal schooling during the time he was in Italy.

WITNESS :

PG T-1

-2 =

92-2940-144

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WITNESS:

CASIMIR J. PELLEGRINI

Owner, Casimir J. Pellegrini

Associates

201 South Craig Street

Pittsburgh, Pa.,

the designer and the director of construction of

the residence at 900 West Ingomar Road, Ingomar,

Pa.

•IV. Marital Status

LESTER LA ROCCA, born 1n Italy, married MARY SMELIK, born

In Jessup, Pa.,

on 9/30/83,

at Pittston!

fa.

WITNESS :

ALFRED

PASCO

Assistant Clerk of the Orphans Court

Luzerne County Courthouse

Wilkes-Barre, Pa.,

who can produce a certified copy of Marriage

Certificate #19690. This record must be

subpoenaed.

MARY CELIK was born on April 2, 1910, and was baptised on

April 3, 1910.

Her parents were JOHN CELIK and MAGDALINE

GABRIS.

WIINESS :

Reverend ANDRES E. DLUGOS

Pastor, St. Michael's Roman Catholic Slovak Church

First Avenue, Jessup, Pa.;

who can produce official

church 'records reflecing

bith and baptismal entries.

These records must be

subpoenaed.

V. Information Relating to Adopted Son of La Rocca

LA ROCCA and his wife have nomatural children but on February

25, 1944, they adopted HOWARD LESLIE HOFFMANS

whose name at

the time of adoption was changed to JOHN LA ROCCA, JR.

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PG 92-226

Pa.

WITNESSES:

This adopted son was born on October 1, 1943, at

Greensburg,

WILLIAM D. BIGGS

Officer in Charge

Immigration and

Naturalization Service

707 New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.,

who can testify

to biographiml data contained in

INS file A-5-537-570 relating to LA ROCCA

MILES C. MC WHARTER

Clerk of Orphans Court

Westmoreland County

Greensburg, Pa.

who can introduce records pertaining to the birth

and adoption of the adopted son of IA ROCCA and

whose records must be subpoenaed.

JOHN LA ROCCA is presently attending Valley Forge Military

Academy where tuition, room and board amans to approximately

$2,225 each school year.

Cadets are not required to account

for money furnished to

them by their parents or guardians

and this would also apply to the money these cadets spend

at the post exchange or while away from the academy. They

are not required to furnish memoranda and their mode of

travel from the school to their homes during their vacation

Prom ano

periods. LA ROCCA is presently scheduled to graduate from

Valley Forge Military Academy in June, 1961.

DUS

WITNESS :

REVIEWED BY EVJFK TASK FORCE

Lt. Colonel GILBERT PHILIPPS

ON 7/29/92 d0

Admissions Officer

F RELEASE IN FULL

Valley Forge Military Academy

wayne, Pa.

DJ RELEASE IN PART

D TOTAL DENIAL

- 5 -

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PG 92-226

VI..

Origin of the Interest of la Rocca in Racketeering

and Steps Leading to Current Position and Actlvitles

in Racketeering Natters

GEORGE MESSER, who has been engaged in numbers writing

activity since about 1928, was once depended upon by

Pittsburgh racketeers for protection purposes because he,

knew local and state police figures.

LA ROCCA was one of

the individuals who utilized MeSSER In this regard.

He

became acquainted with IA ROCCA In about 1941 or 1942 when

LA ROCCA was handling all the numbers activity in the East

Liberty section of Pittsburgh and had set himself up as a

"Ilttle god."

When LA ROCCA became dissatisfied with his

finandal gains, he left Pittsburgh on a

trip to chicago to

see friends about paste reel machines with which he felt.

he could make more money.

A paste reel was similar to a

"one-armed bandit" with the exception that a small paper-

wrapped mint was dispensed as the coin was placed In the

slot and the play was registered.

While LA ROCCA was in 'Chicago, MESSER moved into the East

Liberty section and took over

the entire numbers. operation.

When LA ROCCA returned to Pittsburgh he became angry with

MESSER and had someone drive a car over him one night s

he was crossing a street.

Because he thought he would make

money in the East Llberty

section,

MESSER stayed in the

business of writing numbers and actually forced LA ROCCA

out of this business.

In about 1943 MESSER and LA RCCCA became friendly and

LA ROCCA invited MESSER to share equally with him in the

ownership of the Coin Machine Distributing Company which

later set up offices at 5746 Baum Boulevard In Pittsburgh.

LA ROCCA managed to raise enough money to put up his share

for the business and MESSER personally traveled to Chicago

to arrange for the purchase of machines to be distributed

by this company.

These machines were placed throughout the

East Liberty, Homewood, and Garfield sections of Pittsburgh

and were heavily taxed by both the Government and the City

of Pittsburgh.

Other owners of the afore-mentioned company,

in addition to MESSER and IA ROCCA were FRANK AMATO,

BARNEY. MC GINLEY, SAMUEL MANNARINO, and F. W. 200G.

- 6 -

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PG 92-226

The afore-mentioned company was doing well financially before

Allegheny

the machines had

County, pa,, authorities raided establishments where

been placed and forced the company out of

business.

Although each of the afore-mentioned individuals

owned an equal share in the company, SAMUEL MANNARING and

LA ROCCA obviously usurped the most authority and held

meetings at which important subjects were discussed in Italian,

LA ROCCA used MESSER only

as he got his cut of the profits:

turned over to MESSER by LA ROCCA "to keep him clean" because

For pushe

Mike Gotovest, who was

LA ROCCA had him in mind for future plans. FRANK VALENTI

and ANTONIO RIPEPI visited the offices of

the Coin Machine

Distributing Company regularly and took orders from MANNARINO

and LA ROCCA.

WITNESS :

GEORGE MESSER

124 Elysian Street

PlEtsburgh, Pa.

During the late 1930's and early 1940'$3

the Italian element

at Pittsburgh, Pa., had a great fear and respect of indivi-

duals known as "blackhanders"

and later IA ROCCA, who was,

to all intents and purposes a leader in this type of operation.

SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA came into the area from the James-

town, New York, vicinity where he had been engaged in

moonshining operations bringing him into' Pittsburgh on a scheduled

run.

He remained in Pittsburgh because his criminal activities

In New York State were becoming too Involved and he continued

his moonshining and later, numbers operation in Pittsburgh.

WITNESS :

PG T-2

B: ASSOCIATES

Among the more prominent currently close

are the following individuals:

associates of LA ROCCA

- 7.-

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PG 92-226

social acquaintance of LA ROCCA for many years.

On May 26,

1960, during an interview, VALENTI claimed he was.

"In hiding"

to avoid being arrested for vote fraud in Rochester, New York.

WITNESSES:

PG T-2

who was acquainted with the relationship between

LA ROCCA and VALENTI.

SA ROBERT A. VOEGE

presently assigned to the Pittsburgh Orfice of the

FBI who can testify to an interview

With VALENTI

on May 26, 1960, at Pittsburgh, Pa.

ANTONIO

RIFEPI, aka

Tale Indivldual presently resides at 47a0 aromassle Road

Pittsburgh

Fa. and operates the Keystone. Music Company

Pittsburgh

WITNESS

JOHN.H. BINGLER

District Director, Internal Revenue service

New Federal Building

pittsburgh, Pa., who can produce and Identify

recoras

QUISEPPE ROSA, aka

ROSA presently resides at 1849 Funston Street, Pittsburgh,

Pa. He 1s a business and social associate

IA ROCCA who

was once ordered deported following an arrest by the Immi-

gration and Naturalization Service at Pittsburgh, Pa.,

enemy allen but received a pardon from Governor JOHN S.

FINE

of the State of Pennsylvania on January 15, 1954, and the

deportation warrant was withdrawn.

-10 -

JEK Law 11(a)

95-2948144

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WITNESSES:

PG I - 9

who 1 acquainted with the relationship between

AMATO and LA ROCCA.

GEORGE MESSER

124 Elysian STREET

Pittsburgh,

Pa. 8,

who can testify to the business relationship

between AMATO, LA ROCCA, and himself In the

Coin Machine Distributing Company at Fittsburgh.

LA ROCCA

an FBI Agent he has been completely uncooperative.

WITNESS :

SA ROBERT A. VOEGE

presently assigned to the pittsburgh office of

the FBI, who can testify to an interview on

April 30, 1959, with SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA at

which time LA ROCCA advised that although the

operation of the North Star Cement Block Company

was not a family affair, he had JOHN CONTI, his

nephew, working for him.

ROY

VEY

This Individual presently resides at

pittsburgh, Pa., and 1s an employee of

1153 Cornell Street,

the North Star

Cement Block Company, 12 McCandless Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.

His annual income exceeds $5,000 a year.

JFK Law 11(a)

- 12

52-2940-1414

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WITNESSES :

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

BRUNO A. CENGIA

14 Parkview Drive

Carnegie,

Pà., who, as accountant

for North Star

Cement Block Company, can produce

and identily records

concerning the employment and

annual salary of ROY VEY.

ALDO and ALMO

PRUNER:

These, Individuals reside at 653 Bower Hill Road, Bridgeville,

fa., and are employed at the North Star Cement Block Co

WITNESS :

JFK Law 11(a)

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building, Pittsburgh,

Pa,

who can produce and identify records

SALVATOREL

MARINO, aka

This individual resides

at 755 WIllow Glen Way San Jose

Cali-

fornia, and 1s a partner in the Callfornia Cheese Co.,

with his son,

ANGELO. The company is located at 295 West San Carlos St., San

Jose.

A social associate of LA ROCCA, MARINO was visited by

LA ROCCA during 1954 and traveled to Los Angeles, California, with

him. Both were taken in for questioning by the los Angeles

Police Department while in the compary of one FRANK DE SIMONE,

an acquaintance.

93-2940-144

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Pa 92-226

1910 and listed his birthplace as Johnstown, Pa., when he

served in the U.S. Army between 1943-1944 and when he was

received at the lewisburg Federal Penitentiary:

WITNESSES:

JFK Law 11(a)

JOHN H. BINGLER

District: Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building

Pittsbürgh, Pa., who can p

records

duce

and

Identify

TASK. FORCE

INS

REVIEWED BY RA/JEK

9/29/17 lak

WILLIAM D. BIGGS.

Officer In Charge

Immigration and Naturalization

Service

707 New Federal Building

pittsburgh, Pa., who can testify to records

which may be obtained by subpoena concerning

the citizenship status' and Investigation of REGINO

by the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

OTHER PERTINENT INFORMATION RELATING TO ASSOCIATES OF

LA ROCCA

on March 14, 1956, ANTHONY R. PINELLI SR..

was visited by

SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA of 900 West Ingomar Street, PIttsburgh,

Pa: PINELLI was strongly suspected by the Los Angeles CaliF

Police Department Intelligence Division of being involved

as & leading figure in the traffic of narcotics, and was an

associate of TONY ACCARDO and SAM & IANCANA of Chicago,

IllInois He was believed by Police of Los Angeles to be

highly placed in nationwide criminal activities.

LA ROCCA

was accompanied by SALVATORE MARINO, owner of the california

17

42-2440--144

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TOTAL DENIAL

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C.

LEGITIMATE ENTERPRISES

1.

North Star Cement Block Company

12 McCandless Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.

On May 28, 1951, NICHOLAS DI PASQUATE, 175 Georgetown St.,

West View, Pa., filed a fictitious name certificate in the

Office of

Prothonotary of Allegheny County,

Pa.s. for

the North Star Cement Block Company, Indicating the type

of business of this company as manufacture and sale of

cement block and purchase and repalr of building material,

equipment, machinery ana supplies.

The owners of the company

were listed as NICHOLAS DI PASQUALE; THEODORE P. RIPEPI,

217 Andrew Street, Pittsburgh; URSULA RIPEPI, 4720 Brownsville

Road, Pittsburgh; and JOHN S. LA ROCCA. R.F.D. Ta. PIttsburgh 29,

Pa.

On February 10, 1952, a Certificate of Withdrawal of NICHOLAS

DI PASQUALE, dated November 30, 1951, was filed in the

Prothonotary's Office.

Witness:

DAVID B. ROBERTS,

Prothonotary, Allegheny County,

City-County Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. ROBERTSor his designated representative can

produce Certificate #38421 as recorded In Volume

120 on page 139, as well as the Withdrawal

Certificate of NICHOLAS DI PASQUALE dated November 30,

1951.

On December 10, 1957,

JFK Law 11(a)

19

92-2440-144

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INS

REVIEWED BY FEWUFK TASK FORCE

ON

Witness:

9/29/92 clot

PG .T-10

RELEASE IN FULL •

RELEASE IN PART

D

TOTAL DENIAL

Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service at

Pittsburgh, Pa., were examined on December 16, 1957, and

disclosed 'that

at a hearing on August 3, 195+, JOHN LA ROCCA

testified that he owned a 47à per cent

Interest in the

North Star Cement Block Company, that 47z per cent of the

company was owned by TONY RIPElI and that the remaining

5 per cent was owned. by THEODORE RIPEPI, & nephew of TONY.

Witness:

WILLIAM D. BIGGS,

Officer, in Charge

Immigration and Naturalization Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

BIGGS can produce records recording testimony of

LA ROCCA at a hearing held on August 3, 1954.

On income tax returns filed for the years 1952 through 1960,

JOHN LA ROCCA

JEK Law 11(a)

.20

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• PG

92-226

In 1959,

JEK Law 11(a)

Witness:

JOHN H. BINGLER;

District Director,

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building'

Pittsburgh, Pa.

BINGLER can produce land identify income tax returns

filed by JOHN S. and MARY LA ROCCA for the years 1952

through 1960, along with supporting statements and

schedules.

Records of the Treasurer's Office, City of Pittsburgh, Pa:,

as of December 1, 1960, indicate the following individuals

were employees of the North Star Cement Block Company:

NAME

SOCIAL SECURITY #

ANNUAL INCOME

ANTHONY SCIORILLI

190-10-3019

$7,123.65

112 North Matilda St.,

Pittsburgh 24, Pa.

21

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NAME

FRED S. WOODRORK

614 Vanilla Way

Pittsburgh 6, Pa.

HERMAN A. SMITH

254 Meyran Avenue

Pittsburgh 13, Pa.

CLEMENT H. REDSHAW

105 Manville Drive

Pittsburgh 37, Pa.

FRANKLIN K. BULLION

5270 Butler Street

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

ROBERT E. CAVALLUCCIA

255 Service Way

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

ALBERT J. MASLEN

183 Burrows Street

Pittsburgh 13, Pa.

DONALD P. TURNER

2130 W. Pike Street

Houston, Pa.

FRANK J. CIROCCO

1212 Arch Street

Pittsburgh 12, Pa.

JACOB S. GEORGE

5403 Butler Street

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

SOCIAL SECURITY #

206-03-5406

ANNUAL INCOME

$3,823.34

167-01-2425

6,259.01-

199-10-9861

5,035.45

410-36-3604

4,514.88

200-20-4682

5,058.62 -

200-07-0420

4,668.36

234-56-8841

331.32

184-14-4258

1,539.97

190-24-7201

3,132.38

22

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NAME

JOSEPH E. BRYAN

439 Kathleen Street

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

LOUIS R. SAALINGER

709 Maytide Street

Pittsburgh 10, Pa.

•STEPHEN JANCA

5206 Natrona Way

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

ROY L. VEY

1153 Cornell Street

Pittsburgh 12, Pa.

ORLANDO M. PRINCIPE

4204 Main Street

Pittsburgh 24, Pa.

JOHN IRWIN

2503 5th Avenue

Pittsburgh 19, Pa.

LEONARD A. YAGATICH

1424 Fallowfleld Ave.

Pittsburgh 16, Pa.

ROBERT THACKER

226 Sylvania St.

Pittsburgh, Pa.

AUGUST BULLION

5223 Berlin Way

Pittsburgh 1, Pa.

CARMELO TRAPANI

4776 Sclota St.

Pittsburgh 24, Pa.

SOCIAL SECURITY #

177-18-9068

164-28-1015

167-10-4008

188-18-9241

194-28-0383

185-12-4668

203-22-3715

178-26-6365

278-28-3867

165-26-2632

23

HH 56792 DocId:32333008 Page 18

ANNUAL INCOME

$ 1,306.18

1,285.13

989.00

5. 300.00.

896.27

1,531.72

2,566.79

2,155.73

483.45

1, 369.30

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NAME

SOCIAL SECURITY #

187-30-5880

ANNUAL INCOME

$ .

39.60

OLIVER E. SHERWOOD

1509 Celtic Street

Pittsburgh 10, Pa.

LEROY W. WILLIAMS

543 Rosedale 'St.

Pittsburgh 21, Pa.

FRANCIS J. ROGALSKI

461 Robinson Court

Pittsburgh 13, Pa.

Witness:

160-22-9414

608.51

173-16-5201

255.54-

DAVID A

SMITH,

Treasurer

City of Pittsburgh

City-County Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. SMITH can produce and identify records of

the

Treasurer's Office pertaining to employees of the

North Star Cement Block Company•:

As of April 19, 19592 JOHNS. LA ROCCA Was reported to be

the President a the North Star Cement Block Company, Inc.

Other officers of this company were reported to be ALMO

PRUNER, Vice President, ALDO A. PRUNER, Secretary, and

ROY L. VEY, Treasurer.,

The company was started during

1946 but did not become incorporated until 1952. The

company ostensibly does more than $200,000 worth of business

anually. Activities of the block manufacturing operation

merged during 1959 with a hauling operation.

The company

was chartered with the State of Pennsylvania on September 8,

1947, when 1t authorized capital stock of $100,000 and the

business was actually begun during June, 1946, by NICHOLAS

DI PASQUALE.

24

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PG: 92-226

North Star Cement Block Company, Ind.

12 McCandless Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Residence: 1153 Cornell Street

Pittsburgh 12, Pa.

and/or

ALDO. A: PRUNER,

Secretary

North Star Cement Block Company

12 McCandless Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa:

The above individuals are in a position to furnish

all books and records of the North Star Cement

Block Company, Inc., Including records of income,

expenditures,

accounts receivable, accounts payable,

ownership and

other records related to the holdings

and operations of this company.

2.: Keystone Sales, Inc.

604. Franklin Street, Johnstown, Pa.

On November 6, 1957, JOSEPH REGINO, aka., JOE RAGNO, Capital

bowling Alleys, Franklin, and Vine Streets, Johnstown, Pa.s

advised that ne and SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA were partners

in the Keystone Cigarette Vending Company at Johnstown, Pa.;

that he and LA ROCCA owned 75 per cent of the company; and

that the other 25 per cent is held by JOHN J. LA ROCCA.

Witness:

PG T-12

JEK Law 11(a)

28

T3-2440 144

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FEA/bac

(11)

PG 92-226

On his 1960 income tax return, JOHN S. LA ROCCAS

The 1960 income tax return for Keystone Sales, Ince Indicates

Witness:

JEK Law 11(a)

JOHN H. BINGLER,

District

Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. BINGLER or his designated representative can produce

and identify the Income tax return for JOHN S. LA ROCCA

for 1960, as well as the income tax return for

Keystone

Sales, Inc., for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1960.

He can also produce records recording information

concerning

29

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JFK Law 11(a).

FEA/ bac

(13)

PG: 92-226

3.

Rental Properties

On income tax returns for the perlod from 1953 through

1960, JOHN S.

LA ROCCA

Year

1953

'1954

1955

1. 1956

1957

1958

1959

Witness:

JOHN H. BINGLER,

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal,

Building

Pittsburgh,

Pa.

31

93-2940-144

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FEA/ bac

(14)

PG 92-226

Mr. BINGLER can produce and identify income tax

returns of JOHN S. and MARY LA ROCCA for the

period 1953 through 1960,

JFK Law 11(a)

JOHN S. LA ROCCA maintains a real estate account under his

name at the washington Trust Office of the Western Pennsyl

vanla National Bank, Fletsburgh, Fas

and the balance in

this account as of April 18, 1961, was $15,636.82.

Witness:

STANLEY F. DRUTIS,

Vice President

Western Pennsylvania National Bank

Washington Trust Office

821 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. DRUTIS can produce

and identify records of

the Western Pennsylvania National Bank pertaining

to the real estate account of JOHN S. I ROCCA.

As of April 6, 1950, records of the Office of the City Treasurer,

City of Pittsburgh,

414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pa., acrosec

a listing for property at 500 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh,

and at 426 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh, which 1s under the

names JOHN S. and MARY S. LAROCCA.

Property at 500 North Craig

Street was assessed at $2,980, as. far as land is concerned, and

the building on this property was assessed at $14,470. The

city taxes on this property amount to $337.10 plus school taxes

in the amount of $244.30.

Property at 426 North Craig Street

was assessed at $7,400, as far as land is concerned, and the

building on this property was assessed at $3,200.

The city

taxes on this property amount to $297 and the school taxes

amount to $148.40.

Witness:

LEO F. NOWICKI

Assistant to the Treasurer

32

98-2940-1441

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FEA/bac

(15)

PG 92-226

Department of the city treasurer

414 Grant Street

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. NOWICKI can produce and identify records

pertaining to property owned by LA ROCCA at

426 and 500 North Craig Street, Pittsburgh,

Pa.

4. Bulk Beverages, Inc., formerly Beer Dispensing

Company or Beer Dispensing, Inc', 500 North

Craig Street, Pittsburgh 13, Pa•

On Income tax returns filed by JOHN S. LA ROCCA for the years

1951 and 1952, he showed

JFK Law 11(a)

Witness:

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service.

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. BINGLER can produce and identify income tax

returns of JOHN S. LA ROCCA for the years 1951 and

1952 °

As of March 4, 1958, records of the Washington Trust Office

of the Western Pennsylvania National Bank disclosed that

name

"Beer Dispensing, Inc.

Witness:

STANLEY F: DRUTIS,

Vice President and Manager

Western Pennsylvania National Bank

Washington Trust Office

821 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr.. DRUTIS can produce and identify an account

maintained at the Western Pennsylvania National

Bank bearing the name Beer Dispensing, Inc.

92-2940-144

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FEA/bac

(18)

PG. 92-226

On August 3, 1954, JOHN S. LA ROCCA testified at an

Immigration and Naturalization hearing in Pittsburgh,

Pa.,

that he owned all of Bulk Beverages, Inc. at

that time.

DS

REVIEWED BY RE/JFK TASK FORCE

witness:

WILLIAM D. BIGGS,

Officer in Charge

Immigration and Naturalization Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. _BIGGS can produce and identify records of

an Immigration and Naturalization hearing held

on August 3, 1954..

on his income tax return for the year

ON

3E RELEASE IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTAL DENIAL

JFK Law 11(a)

36

95-9940-144

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## Page 26

FEA: mel

(3)

PG 92-226

WITNESS:

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

JFK Law 11(a)

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. BIGGS or his authorized representative can produce and

Identify records of the Internal. Revenue Service pertaining

to JOHN S. LA ROCCA,

On November 9, 1954, JULIUS HALPERN, former President,

Washington Trust Company, 821 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, Pa.;

and currently member of the Advisory Board of the western

Pennsylvanta National Bank, Washington Trust Office, and

MEYER B. GEESKY:

former Assistant Vice President, washington

Trust Company, 821 5th Avenue, Pittsburgh, testified as

character witnesses for JOHN LA ROCCA On November 9, 1954,

at an Immigration Hearing Board convening at Pittsburgh, pa.,

in connection with deportation proceedings against LA ROCCA.

DN'S

WITNESS:

REVIEWED BY SWJFK TASK FORCE

WILLIAM D. BIGGS

ON

129/22 c d

Officer in Charge

Imnigration and Naturalization Service

MELEASE IN FULL

New Federal Building

RELEASE IN PART

Pittsburgh, Pa.

TOTAL DENIAL

Mr. BIGGS can produce records of the Immigration and Naturalization

service pertaining to the deportation hearings regarding LA ROCCA,

including those records indicating the identities of character

witnesses who testified for LA ROCCA.

44

92-2940-144

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FEA : mer

(4).

PG 92-226

2. Brookline Savings and Trust Company

820 Brookline Boulevard

Pittsburgh 26, pa.

On an Income tax return for the year 1959 riled by JOHN S

LA ROCCA, LA ROCCA Indicated

JFK Law 11(a)

WITNESS:

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh,

, pa.

Mr.

BINGLER, or his authorized representative, can produce

and Identify the 1959 Income tax return and

supporting

schedules filed by JOHNS, and MARY LA ROCCA •

45

92-2440144

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27

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FEA :mef

(8)

PG 92-226

WITNESS :

E. L. EDWARDS

Vice President

United States National Bank in Johnstown

216 Franklin Street

Johnstown, Pa.

Mr. EDWARDS can produce and identity, records of the United

States National Bank in

1. Johnstown which pertain to Keystone

Sales, Inc.

G. STATEMENT OF ASSETS

The following Information concerning assets and Ilabilities of

SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA has been obtained from various

sources and all sources have been previously Identiffed

Information is set forth as to persons to be subpoenaed

or

to

produce records or testify to support information reported.

The Information Is presented In sumary forn and Inasmuch

as some values presented are based on inforation received

from two or more sources and in some cases include estimates,

these values are subject to revision as more specific ind

accurate Information is developed:

ASSETS

Cash In Bark

Real Estate Account (April 18, 1961)

# 15,636.82

Stock Holdings

JFK Law 11(a)

06632003

49

92.2940+44

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## Page 29

FEA : mef

(9)

PG 92-226

Real Estate

Residence:

900 Ingomar

Road,

McCandless Township, Pa.

--→

estimated

value with improvements

125,000

.00

Receivables

Miscellaneous

TOTAL ASSETS

LIABILITIES

Loans Payable

NET WORTH

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND NET WORTH

JFK Law 11(a)

93-2940-144

50

HH 56792 DocId:32333008 Page 29

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## Page 30

FEA : mef

( 10)

PG 92-226

WITNESS:

STANLEY F. DRUTIS

Vice President

Western Pennsylvania National Bank and

Manager, Washington Trust Office

Western Pennsylvania National Bank

821 Fifth Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Nr. DRUTIS can produce and Identify bank records which contain

the balance of the real estate account of JOHN S. LA ROCCA

at the washington Trust office of the Western Pennsylvania

National Bank.

WITNESS:

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Darector

Internal Revenue Service.

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mr. BINGLER can produce and Identify the 1959 and 1960

income tax return of JOHN S, and MARY LA ROCCA

JFK Law 11(a)

WITNESS:

Mrs.

CHRISTOPHER MAGEE STEEL.

5652 Stanton Avenue

Pittsburgh, Pa.

Mrs. STEEL can testify that she paid between $54,000 and $55,000

for the home at 900 West Ingomar Road, Ingomar,

which she

51

92-2440-144

HH 56792 DocId: 32333008 Page

30

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## Page 31

FEA :mef

(19)

PG 92-226

4.

Income Tax Matters

On his income tax return for 1959. LA ROCCA Indicated

JFK Law 11(a)

During thè year 1958,

WITNESS:

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

• Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

60

932940-144

HH 56792 DocId:32333008 Page 31

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## Page 32

FEA : mef

• (20)

PG 92-226

Mr. BINGLER can produce and identify income tax returns

filed by JOHN S. LA ROCCA for the years, 1953, 1954, 1955,

1956, 1957, 1958, 1959, and 1960,

JEK Law 11(a)

Records of the Brookline Savings and Trust Company, 820

Brookline Boulevard, Pittsburgh, Pa., disclosed accounts

for the Beer Dispensing Co., 1305 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh 22,

Pa., and Bulk Beverages, Inc., 500 North Craig Street,

Pittsburgh 13, Pa.

A peer Dispensing Company Reserve

Account and a Beer Dispensing Company Earned Reserve

Account were opened in 1951, and closed

on July 13, 1959,

by the issuance of Brookline check NO. 3665, In the amount

of $277.50, payable to Beer Dispensing Company. This check

endorsed, Pay to the order of "JOHN S. LAROCCA, Beer

Dispensing Company." The check also bore the stamp of the

Western Pennsylvania National Bank. The officers of Beer

Dispensing Company were indicated on December 5, 1952, as

LOUIS FERRARO, President, JOHN L. LA ROCCA, VIce President,

and ALVIN REESE, Secretary and Treasurer.

On May 30, 1954, the name of the corporation, Beer Dispensing

Company, was changed to Bulk Beverages, Inc,

and

the

officers were listed as JohN s. La RoccAs

President, JOHN

J. LA ROCCA, Secretary and Treasurer, and ZELDA GORDON,

Vice president.

The last payment from the Bulk Beverages, Inc, account was

made on January 15, 1957, by the issuance of Brookline Check

No. 2764 In the amount of $89.60. The following checks

were issued by Brookline to Beer Dispensing Company on the

dates and in the amounts indicated:

Date

Amount

May 9, 1957.

July 8; 1957

July 11, 1958

July 13, 1959

$157.76

47.46

541.38

277.50

61

Brookline Check No.

4601

4616

4693

3665

93-2940-144

HH 56792 DocId:32333008 Page 32

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## Page 33

FEA :mef

(24)

PG 92-226

JEK Law 11(a)

WITNESS :

JOHN H. BINGLER

District Director

Internal Revenue Service

New Federal Building

Pittsburgh, Pa.

65

92-2440-144

HH 56792 DocId:32333008 Page 33

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## Page 34

FEA :mef

(25)

PG 92-226

Mr. BINGLER can produce and identify

records of

the Internal

Revenue Service, Including the report of former Deputy Collector

of Internal Revenue ANDREW J. SUSCE and a summary of, that

report dated April 18, 1955, prepared by G. WILSON STITELER,

Reviewer-Conferee, Intelligence Division, Internal Revenue

Service

MI. BINGLER can aLso

produce

records concerning

JFK Law 11(a)

66

92-2940-144

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34

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## Page 35

RAV/ jab

PG. 92-226

Height

Weight

Halr

Complexion

Eyes

Present address

Past address

Marital Status

Wife

Date of kirch

Place of Birth

Date of Marriage

Son

Date of Birch

Adopted

Brother

Date of birth

Place of birth

Residence

Employed

Brother

Date: of Birth

Place of Birth

Residence

Employed

Naturalized

Brother

Address

Employed

Sister

Marital Status

Children

Residence

HH

56792

DooId:32333008

Page 35

15'10"

200 pounds

Black, graying

Dark

Brown

900 West Ingomar Road,

Ingomar, Pa.

6426 Apple Street,

Fittsburgh, Pa

Varried

MARY 5. LA ROCOA

April 2, 1910

Jessuo, Pa.

September 30, 1928,

Paobston,

Pa.

JOKIN LA ROCCA

Oetaber 1, 11943

IN HOWARD LESLIE

HOFTMAN

February 25, 1944, at Greensburg,

P2 +8

through Warmoreland Orphans.

Coura

ANTHONY LA ROCCA

May 14, 1912

Whiskey Hun,

Indiana County

6323 Glenview Place,

FLEtsburgh

Barber, 8003 Meknight Road,

Pittsburgh

JOSEPH LA ROCCA

August

4, 1893

Villa Rosa, Caltanesetta,

Sicily, Italy

835 Farragut Street,

Pittsburgh

Barber, Penn and Shady

Avenues, Pittsburgh

Court of Common Pleas

Indiana County, March 5, 1924

JOHN J. LA ROSCA

118-20 Walnut Street,

Johnstown, Pa.

Keystone Vending Company

Johnstown, Pa.

LEONA ROSE

Widow

3

With daughter, Mrs. ANGELO

76

---

## Page 36

INDEX OF WITNESSES

ADDLEMAN,

THOMAS J.---

ARLINGTON HOTEL MANAGER-

BALDRIGE, ROBERT W.--

BIGGS, WILLIAM

BINGLER, JOHN H.

BROOKS, FULIER H. (SA) --

BROWN,

DONALD M.-

BÜRKE,.

RICHARD E.

CENGIA, BRUNO A.--

'DLUGOS, REV. ANDRES E.

DOLE, J. DOUGLAS ---

DRUTIS, STANLEY F.

EDWARDS, E. 1.--

FINE, JOHN S.

GARLAN, RUSS--

GERLACH, JOHN E.

IDENTIFICATION DIV. F.B.I.--

JENKINS, EDWARD------

MC WHARTER, MILES C.-

MESSER, GEORGE

NOWICKI, LEO F.-

PASCO,

ALFRED X.--

PELLEGRINI, CASIMIR J.-

PETERSON,

CECIL G.-

PHILIPPS, LT. COLONEL GILBERT--

PHILLIPS,

IT. M. B.-

PORTELLA,

SA JOHN

S.

PRELSNIK, CHARLES J. (SA)-

PRUNER, ALDO A.--

REGINO, JOSEPH-

ROBERTS, DAVID B.

ROSS,

JAMES M.--

RUSSELL, MRS. NORMAN-

SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE-

SMITH, DAVID A.-

SMITH, FLOYD O:

STEEL, MRS. CHRISTOPHER MAGEE-

STOKER,, GEORGE E.-

VEY, ROY 1.--

- 78 -

Page

====3

-39

-56

029dd914911,20

38,44.56,72,7136,

-0,10,13,17,21,29,

31,33,37, 45,51;57,

60,65

-16

-55

58

=13

-48,64

•=27,32,33,43,51

-30,49

=(3

40

-35,47,63

= =58,68

= - 40

==5

--7,12

-32

,57

4

, 52

--18

==9,39

• 14

-28

= -30

- 19, 43,59

58

- - 40

-39,73

-24

=3

•-3,51

-=54

- 27

INS

REVIEWED BY RBWUFK TASK FORCE

ON

9/29/91

das.

RELEASE-IN FULL

RELEASE IN PART

TOTA 1TNL

HH 56792

DocId:32333008

Page 36

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