Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, MM
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 12/8/55
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/27/201

AGENCY: FBI.

RECORD NUMBER :

124-10300-10087

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER: CR 62-75147-29-630

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: SAC, MM

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE :

DATE:

12/08/1955

•PAGES:

31

SUBJECTS:

NRO, ASSOC, CRIM ACT, MAFIA FAMILIES, MEETING

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4

CURRENT STATUS :

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

05/04/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

INC RPT

19.1

DocId: 32309721

Page 1

20

---

## Page 2

UNITA

TO

RNMENT

DATB: Docomber 8, 1955

SUBYR

SAC, Miani

SEAT DIVISTON

(62-1273)

58045

Enclosed herewith are four copies of the Miami

GET Soniannual Report for the period fron June 1, 1955,

to Docambor 1, 1955-

An extra copy of this report is being furnished

to tho Bureau for transmittal via diplomatic pouch to the

Legal Attache at Havana, Cuba.

Our experience has shown

merous hoodlums from the South Florida area regularly

pLy poureen havana, Cuba and Miami and lampa, florida.

Three copies of the section pertaining to the Miami

desirous of destroying the three copies of the Miami section

inasmuch as the instant GIIF reports are complete and contain

the same material sent on December 6, 1955

Bs 1 Rel 5118

Enclosures -

2•-

Bureau

1

e to Legal, Hovama, Cube OK

62-1273)

тод?

jok

110-112, 14, 1'1

142,150,158.

RECORDED - 5.

62-95147-2903

1222200

130512-27509606

(50p 8108880

05:

612

HO ZJAN 10 1956

DocId: 32309721 Page 2

1130/59

---

## Page 3

i

MM 62-1273

JIG:f jh

GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE INTELLIGENCE FILE

BROWARD COUNTY

FLORIDA

JUNE 1, 1955 TO DECEMBER 1, 1955

A. ORGANIZED GANGS

Investigation and contacts with informants änd

sources of information have failed to give any indication

that there are any organized gangs in Broward County at the

present time.

•On July 9, 1955, MM-322-C advised that JAKE!

LANSKY,

Hollywood, Florida, had flown from Miami to_ Havana.Guba; on

July 8, 1955, to join his brother, MEYER LANSKY, FBI # 791783, LA:

who had proceeded to Cuba from New York City; PHIS KASTEL,

of New Orleans; and other unidentified syndicate members. from outn

Las Vegas, Nevada.

Informant stated that a meeting was currently

being held at Havana whereby these members of the National Crime

Syndicate were considering the purchase of a hotel or

a gambling

casino in Havana.

On July 22, 1955, MM-551-PC advised that MEYER

LANSK Y

Cuba during the early part of July,

had been in Havana(1) as a guest of the Cuban Government to

1955, SulL

for two reasons:

operate sam in 70 xple one B. TA wanted American 204.

tourists in Havana and was concerned. over the strong possibility

that "bust-out operations" would keep the American trade away.

(2) To look over the possibility of purchasing a hotel in the

heart of Havana for the purposes of operating gambling therein.

Informant stated that LANSKY had pointed out that it

would be difficult to

attract competent men away from Las Vegas,

- 3-

DocId: 32309721

Page

3

---

## Page 4

MM 62-1273

because most of them had settled down there and were content

With regard to the second proposition, he

same.

On November 8, 1955, MM-551-PC stated that the

LANSKY brothers had still not

made any deal whereby they

would take over a hotel and operate a gambling casino in

Havana, Cuba.

He added that they were still discussing

the possibility with a syndicate in New York city, but that

no definite decision had been made to date.

B. INDIVIDUAL, RACKETEERS AND MOBSTERS

that individual racketeers and the mobsters for the most

part were not in the area during the past six months in

view of/the fact that this is the off season for the Florida

area.

ADONIS

FBI #500203--

F/A:

ItALY

The

"Miami Herald," under date of November 15, 1955,

reported that JOE ADONIS had agreed to deport himself by

January 1, 1956, and that in return for that move he would be

allowed to avoid serving a prison term for perjury. It was

pointed out that ADONIS intended to go to Italy.

CLAUDE HARLEY ANDERSON

1309 N. E. 17th Avenue

CLAUDE H. XANDERSON

Fort Lauderdale Florida

FBI #755095

- CLAUDGHALDERSON

In Fort Lauderdale, Florides

to operate a bonding business

Under date of October 18, 1955, the "Miami Herald"

reported that Agents of the Treasury Department Alcohol Tax

- 4-

DocId: 32309721 Page 4

---

## Page 5

MM 62-1273

EHD : mbw

WHALEN in the operation of his

MM 572-C reports that JACK BUTLER, mentioned above,

is tied in with the TRAFFIQANTE boys from Tampa, Florida;

however, the exact nature of the tie-up is not known.

informant feels that possibly the TRAFFICANTES are bankrolling

BUTLER in his operation.

FBI #320853,

RIVIERA HOTEL,

Holly Hill,

Florida.

GUEST is reported to be

sickly and is having a hard time existing. He is reportedly

mooching off of JACK

BUTLER.

at DeLand,

MORGAN was released on parole from Atlanta

Federal Penitentiary in October, 1954, after serving time for

C. POLITICAL TIE-UPS WITH ORGANIZED CRIME

MM 572-0 reports that RAYMOND V. McNEMAR, Deputy

Sheriff of Volusia County-Florida has recently approached several

bolita sellers in the city "for a percentage or else," but he

knows of no payoff to McNEMAR.

D. POLICE EFFICIENCY

HENRY LEROY ALLEN is Chief of Police, Daytona Beach,

Florida, and he is reported to be having trouble with internal

bickering among members of the department. Mayor FRANCIS

MORRISON reported that ALLEN was on the verge of being ousted,

but to date no positive action has been taken by the City Commission.

The Department now consists of fifty men, there having

seen several resignations recently due to low starting salaries.

Lt. DALTON SMITH heads the Detective Bureau and the general

reaction of the public is that the police are doing a relatively

good job, but there is reported to be much room for improvement.

- 19 -

DocId: 32309721

Page 5

---

## Page 6

....

MM 62-1273

CJM: 1c

Miami Beach, Florida, in partnership with MICKEY; GRASSO,

FBI # 1164523, a stick-up man from Chicago, Illinois.

SAMUEL "STRETCHY RUBIN

FBI # 4736849

He is a hoodlum from New lork. City who has been

active in Cuba_with SALVATORE GRANELLO, FBI. # 2120000

GEORGE LEVINE; FBI H_382915. RUBIN reportedly Is LEVINE S

bodyguard and

has made numerous trips between Miami and

Havana with LEVINE and/or GRANELLO.

IRVING INCUKAPIOW

This bookmaker, originally from New York City,:

made several

trips to Miami during the summer of 1955 in

connection with the gambling charge which was out standing

against him for being active in the operation of a bookmaking

establishment and "bust out"

gambling casino at the Empress.

Hotel, Miami Beach, Florida. He recently advised that the

local authorities have dropped the charges against him and

that he plans to go to Los Angeles, California, for the

winter months, and hopes to book at the Santa Anita Racing

Meet with a bookmaker from New York known as ARNOLD. ARNOLD

was not further identified.

BENJAMIN

or Wiles,

allas Big Hearted Benny"

Miami Beach PD # A-18853

This individual resides at 5205 Alton Road, Miami

Beach, Florida.

He is a card cheater who is known as the

ularly active in carnivals during the summer months.

MM- 501-0

Sorted boeate rao me were crete the

Informant reported this game was recently legalized.

- 74 -

DocId: 32309721 Page 6

---

## Page 7

MM 62-12'73

CJM: 1c

Lieutenant BRUCE SIMMONS and Detective Sergeant ARTHUR

M. LEONARD (NA) have continued during the past six months

to afford excellent cooperation to this office.

Generally

speaking,

it appears that this Department has continued to

improve in organization, discipline and morale. During the

period covered by this report there has been no wide-open

gambling and there has been a definite absence of open

bookmaking and other forms of vice. Sneak gambling, such

as betting on horses and sporting events, has continued, but

no évidence has come to the attention of

this office

indicating that there is an organized pay off to the Police

Department, or "okay" from the Police Department for the

operation of such.

There has been the usual speculation that there

will be sneak "bust out" gambling houses in operation on

nat our

Miami Beach during the coming winter season, but as yet in-

formation has been

non-specific and nothing

has been learned

which would be indicative of police venality in this matter..-

The only data which has come to our attention which

would make us skeptical of the integrity of Chief ROMEO J.

SHEPARD was a report received in August

York office tron its informant, v Zone, Who kas furnished

reliable information in the past. This was to the effect

that NY-204-C advised that he had become quite friendly with

SALVATORE GRANELLO, FBI # 2120006. In the course of conversations

with GRANELLO, this hoodlum mentioned various contacts he had

in Miami and Miami Beach.

The informant stated that GRANELLO

particularly mentioned having a "big in" with Chief of Police

SHEPARD at Miami Beach.

According to

stated that SHEPARD was the "bag man" in Miami Beach, and

GRANELLO

GRANELLO stated he had eaten dinner with Chief SHEPARD on a

few occasions.

The informant furnished this information in

connection with the investigation of the matter entitleRANELLO

"CARMINE DI BIASE, waS., - FUGITIVE, UFAP - MURDER."

is reportedly the closest associate of this fugitive and is

suspected of having harbored him.

і Вл

- 78:

DocId: 32309721

Page 7

---

## Page 8

MM 62-1273

consisting of three or four unknown writers under NICk

SAGONIAS out of larpon springs.

He said MACK ANDERSON has

formerly headed up SAGONIAS outfit in St. Petersburg, but that

he has been unable to establish to date whether or not such

an organization does exist.

It should be noted, as will be

set forth later, SAGONIAS is due to enter Federal Prison any

day.

Detective QUILLIGAN further advised that it is diffi-

cult to determine which writer is writing for which organiza-

tion because there is indication that they are changing from

one group to another fairly freguently.

le said that some oi

the names furnished above have been convicted and served a

some are

ation from time to time in these groups.

MM-416-C has advised that to the best of his know

Ledge the following groups are operating bolita in the st.

Petersburg-Pinellas County area.

Group number one is the

TRAFFICANTES.

MM-416-C states that he believes the TRAFFI- •

CANTEs are still operating through ANDREW RIGHT; JOSEPH

BRIANT and possibly ALFRED HILL POOLE, all of whom were con-

victed with the TRAFFICANTEs earby in 1955 and who have

appeals pending in Supreme Court of Florida.

This informant

stated that he believes approximately 80% of the TRAFFICANTE

peddlers who were operating at the time of the mass raids in

May, 1954 are still peddling bolita.

Group number two is the FABIAN group.. The informant

states that he believes this group is operating in St. Peters-

burg with TONY and JERRYMOPEZ as their pick up men.

says that they have about ten writers in St. Petersburg, but lA

that the peddlers are not being contacted directly. He

was

unable to furnish additional information regarding this

group at this time.

Group number three; MM-416-C states that this is

the NICK SAGONIAS group, however, NICK SAGONIAS 1s due to

enter the Federal Correctional Institute, Tallahassee, Florida

- 123 -

DocId: 32309721 Page

---

## Page 9

sucker

MM 62-1273

any day now and that his old operation is being run in northern

Pinellas County by a Greek bar operator in Clearwater, who

is not otherwise known to the informant.

This group,

äccord-

ing to informant, had one pick up man

in St. Petersburg and

is handling their overlay through JOB PLESCIA, operating from

the Sands Bar, Tampa FlA:

The fourth group

according to informant,

MM-416-C,

is operated by TONY "HALF PINTU CAGNINA, nephew of REI

ITALIANO, out of Tampa, Florida, who is acting as pick up man

in St. Pétersburg for some combination in Tampa. CAGNINA

supposedly hangs around Wolfe's Restaurant, St. Petersburg-Els

on Thursday or Friday night to make his pick ups.

Further

details of this operation are unknown to this informant, to

date:

FlA

1955 GEORGE,RABIAN, brother of

- п.

VIRGILFO PARIAN, me of tampa's most notorious gamblers, as FlA

at Tampa... In a search of his apartment evidence

was seized showing a tie-up with bolita operations in St.

Petersburg.

This arrest was supposed to have been made as

a result of a combined investigative effort of the Pinellas

County Sheriff's Office and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's

Office.

There were reportedly about 1,000 tickets which

were lay over bets from the st. Petersburg area, indicating

a large operation in St. Petersburg.

newspapers "FABIAN's organization is the largest threat we

have here in St. Petersburg, second only to the TRAFFICANTEs..

TRAFFICANERS®

The TRAFFICANTE gang grossed

a million dollars yearly before

their conviction in

Pinellas County of lottery law violations."

PETE BENSE, PCI, advised that during the past ser

eral months the TRAFFICANTEs had an operation in northern

Pinellas which had been knocked off by the Sheriff's Office

and that it was no longer active. He said that this was a

very small operation

and the knock off was in the form of

a small arrest action.

- 124 -

DocId: 32309721

Page

---

## Page 10

MM 62-1273

GENUNG stated that GASPAR LA MOTT is operating a

combination with MRS. JOHN IPPOLITO, wife of STRAW HAT

JOHNNi" IPPOLITO, Who is now serving a sentence after convie

tion in United States

District Court, lampa, on

l a wagering

stamp violation.

Chief Criminal Deputy GENUNG advised that with the

break up of these three combinations there is little activity

right now in Clearwater and northern Pinellas County area,

but that he expects an inmediate renevel any day,

GENUNG stated that early in 1955 the Sheriff's

Office was using the technique of obtaining search warrants

for: moonshine to make bolita cases. He stated that this

arose fron moonshine activity on the part of bolita operators

after the conviction of the TRAFFICANTEs in Pinellas County

in the spring of 1955 and the resultant decline in boLite

sales.

de stated that this was successiul for a period but

was changed after several arrests.

GINUNG advised that within the past month he has

been contacted trice by Pete Bense,

bondsman, clearwater,

a PCI of this office, hinting that is a "local" man were

operating the bolita there would be less criticism from the

population and enforcement would be easier if arrangements

could be made for regular arrests and fines be levied.

GENUNG stated that he did not know BelsE's principal as he

had clearly advised that nothing such as this plan would even

be considered by Sheriff SID SAUNDERS or by himself, GENUNG.

that he intended to back Justice of the Peace ED SILK in the

approaching Sheriff's campaign.

BENSE also made the state.?

ment that what was good for PETE BENSE would have to be good

for Pinellas County. "

All violations indicated in this report have been

referred to the proper authorities for investigative action.

• 127 •

DocId: 32309721

Page 10

---

## Page 11

MM 62-1273

such as doctors, lawyers, dentists and professional people

will all go before the Grand Jury and state there is no Mafia

with the purpose in mind that they all feel the Italian people

are hurt by allegations of a Mafia.

It is specifically noted that hereinafter, informa-

cion reported concerning any crimes or local situations have

been reported to authorities having investigative jurisdiction.

A. ORGANIZED GANGS

The organized gang as reported in the GIIF for many

years at lampa

Florida consisting of SANTO TRAFFICANTE and his

brothers, still continues.

DIECIdIE

actually consists of ANTHONY and

LONGO, Hillsborough

BEDAME, FBI #1849088 and SALVATORE, SCAGLIONE,

FBI #355220B.

This group, over the many years, has been alleged to

operate bolita, numbers racket and to have been associated in a

group commonly referred

to as the Mafia.

The activity during this period for the above, namely

concerns their allegations of being members of the Mafia and to

have substantially backed NICK C. NUCCIO to the office of Mayor

and the Italian group thereby would have controlled Tampa

TO NOW SALVATORE SALONE, P:

The allegations were made that the head of this group

by ALVAREZ that the latter

roup is nOw ANGELO BEDAMI two are called "ir."it was alleged

* by the other

Italians in this group, thereby giving them their position of

respect in the Italian group.

This latter information may be

possibly true in that SANTO TRAFFICANTE, JR. has moved his forces

according to reliable confidential information received

through un havell at havana, Cuba:

wherein it has been reported

that

SANTO TRAFFICANTE was operating a numbers racket in the

Hoter/Sevilla-Biltmore in Havana and that he has political

backing there in the same manner as previously obtained in

Tampa, in that a law has now been passed to allow the numbers

to operate there. The Sevilla-Biltmore Hotel was owned by

-

CUBA

• 140 g

1.18.122

10A22 1A2

DocId: 32309721

Page 11

---

## Page 12

MM 62-1273

Selle: mm: 1 c

/resides in a home owned by Captain WALTER C. HEINRICH, NA,

folice Department.

" and that he

Of SHADLETSKY determined that he is closely associated with

is particularly noted that SHADLETSKY has a long record for

narcotics and that DANNY LEWIS, New York City PD # B-246389,

has a conviction for narcotics, and it has been reliably re-

ported that they are setting up in Havana, Cuba, It is noted

that on telephone checks during this period that these individuals

these individuals both have operated for many years in havana,

cuba, and New York City, and are considered big-time hoodlums:

It is also noted that at this time that in checking GRAVELLO'S

telephone records, there are numerous calls to one SAALEIN.

Florida, and it is particularly noted at this time that

is without a doubt going to run for Sheriff of Hillsborough County

time friend with

and Miami.

in Havana, ndividuals as JONAS BERNARD SCHATTEN, with alias, FBI

# 130805B.

B. INDIVIDUAL RACKETEERS AND MOBSTERS

JOE ABIDAMI

E.BL NO a 820.991

ANGELOXBEDAMI

FBI NO. 1489088

JOE BEDAMI is the son of ANGELO BEDAMI, and JOE BEDAMI

is well knotn to Tampa law enforcement officers

as an armed robber

= 143 -

_-

DocId: 32309721 Page 12

---

## Page 13

MM 62-1273

KING, JAMES H: •

KING;

LOUIS LESTER

KIRK, JOHN F..

KITCHEN, ARNOLD.

KLEIN, GEORGE.

KLEIN

KNIGHT, CECIL® :

& NOTH, REX

TOLKER,

IRViNE "COKiE"

SOUSTENIS, THEODORE.

KRUSE, ASTiE E

KRUSE I

LESTER (SEE LESLIE E. KRUSE)

LACKEY, W. A..

LA MOTT, GASPA

LANEY,

MAURICE

LANGDALE, E. J..

LANSKY,

JAKE ..

LANSKY, MEYER.

LATANO, JOE (SEE PATSY CATALANNO)

LATTURE, J. E.

LE DUC,

LAZZARA E. GO ME

AUGUSTINE PRIMO

LEE,

ARCHIE M. "BIG"

LEE,

DOROTHY •

LEE,

GENE.

LEE,

•

RALPH H..

LELOW

(SEE CARMINE GALANTE)

LEV INE,

LEVITT, JULES.

LEWIS,

DANIEL. (DANNY).

LEWIS,

EMMA.

LEWIS, O. ALLEN.

...

LINDSEY, WILLIAN

"LITTLE' NAPOLEON" (SEE WILLIAM BLATT)

LOBIANCO, JOHN •

LONG, GEORGE •

LONGO, A. J.

LONGO,

JAMES C.:

LONGO, JAMES E, JINMY

..

X.

DocId: 32309721

Page 13

PAGES

75,80, 81,89139

160,162

32

143

143

53,54

162

04,87

•145

in, 128

158

128

125,126,127

20

27,28

• 3

3,4

+150

144

111

44,46,52

206,.10, 1232223

::::

78

74,143

57

73,141,142,143

121

49

98,101

18

32

157,158,161,163,165

140

146

---