Originator: FBI
From: HALL, WENDELL W. JR.
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 05/31/1967
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

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JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

6/15/201

AGENCY :

RECORD NUMBER :

FBI

124-10201-10359

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER : 92-2781-IST NR 1203

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: HALL, WENDELL W. JR.

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE: 05/31/1967

PAGES:

70

SUBJECTS :

LST, ASSOC, BKG, GAMBLING ACT, RES

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION : Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS: 4; 11(a)

CURRENT STATUS: Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 10/21/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE, APPROVAL OF IRS

COMMENTS :

Released under the Jah F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act o

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

68262 Date: 09.22-2022

v9.1

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MM 162-633

ADMINISTRATIVE

An information copy of this report is being

furnished to San Juan since they have conducted investigation.

› in the past concerning an active associate of the subject.

Additional copies of this report are being furnished

the Bureau and Tampa files of SANTO TRAFFICANTE, JR. because

of the close relationship between EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL with

TRAFFICANTE.

The investigative period of this report contains

investigation conducted by auxiliary offices prior to the

date of referenced Miami report which was not available at

the time of the dictation of referenced report. The period

of this report is extensive but all leads have been set out

by the means of interoffice communications and no leads

for other offices are being set forth in this report but

will be set forth by appropriate communications as the leads

arise a

On March 17, 1967, Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Intelligence Agent TOM MINNITT advised that EVARISTO GARCIA

VIDAL had filed income tax returns in 1964

and in 1965

The returns

were

filed jointly with EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL and his wife,

RITA

JFK La

11 (a.)

INFORMANTS

All informants mentioned herein, unless specifically

designated as being contacted by another Agent, were contacted

by SA WENDELL W.

HALL, JR.

REVIEWED BY EUFK TASK FORCE

IRS

ON

7/22/98.02

COVER PAGE

D

RELENGE IN FULL

RELEASE IN• PART

TOTAL DENIAL

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MM 162-633

MM T-1 is MM 883-C contacted by SA FRANCIS J. DUEFIN.

MM I-2 iS RICARDO GONZALEZ ASENJO, Miami, Florida,

(protect by request).

MM T-3 is MM 1150-PC.

MM T-4 is MM 1181-PC contacted by SA FRANCIS J. DUFFIN.

• MM T-5 is MM 1165-C.

MM T-6

is HAMLETO BATTISTI LORA, PCI..

•MM T-7 is MIGUEL PEREZ PITA (protect by request).

MM T-8 is MM 869-PC contacted by SA WILLIAM F. HEIST.

MM T-9 is MANUEL MENENDEZ, PCI.

MM I-10 is EDWIN MARGER,

Miami Beach, Florida,

(protect by request).

MM T-11 is MM 974-S contacted by SA WILLIAM MAYO

DREW, JR.

MM T-12 is MM 847-S contacted by SA WILLIAM MAYO

DREW, JR.

MM I-13 is TOM MENNITT, IRS Intelligence Unit, .

Miami.

MM I-14 is RALPH CASTILLO, Hialeah, Florida

(protect by request).

MM T-15 is MANUEL RODRIGUEZ CRUZ, Miami, Florida

(protect by request).

COVER PAGE

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MM 162-533

On March 10, 1967, MM T-9 advised that

SIMmy DUCA is no longer inthe bolita business in Miami

and he has been a lifelong friend of SANTO TRAFFICANTE,

HANLETO BATTISTI was closely associated with.

TRAFFICANTE in Cuba:

CARLOS FERNANDEL,

a former city

judge, represents most of the small bolita bankers

in town but to the knowledge of the source has no

connection with TRAFFICANTE.

On March 10, 1967, a 1960 Chevrolet,

bearing 1966 Florida license 1-142160 was observed at

1011 2963,

two-door,

the residence of GARCIA during

the late evening hours.

This car is registered to CANDIDO CALDERIN, 3501

Southwest 16th Street, Miani, telephone 448-3820.

On March 14, 1967, a 1966 tan Ford, 1966

Florida license lE-10659 was observed at the

GARCIA

residence at noon.

This car was leased by Luby Leasing

to HENRY H. BRADLEY, 69 Northeast 48th Street, Miami.

On March 13, 1967, Agent JOHN WESTER, Alcohol

Tobacco Tax, advised that he had heard recently that

two shots had been fired through the front door of the

GARCIA residence at 4001 Southwest 5th Street, Miami.

According to

a neighbor, GARCIA always carries a gun

wrapped in a magazine or in a bag under his arm when

he carries money with him.

On

march 14, 1967, at 9:15 A.M., a man

was observed walking from the east into the GARCIA residence.

- One block away it was noted there was an automobile as

previously identified being registered to GABRISL

a known: associate of GARCIA.

On March 15, 1967,

MM T-10 advised that

WHITEY ECKHARDT, the owner of Florida Air Motors,

Ft.

Lauderdale, Florida, Airport, leases his airplanes to

ALBERTO NAYOR, a GARCIA

associate in Puerto Rico.

On March 17, 1967, MM T-13 advised that a check

of the subject's activities reflected that he drove late

-x6-

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MM 162-633

one evening to the Avila Market, Southwest 8th Street

and 36th Avenue, where he wet with an unknown male

in a white car.

They spoke for a few moments and

GARCIA returned to his residence.

This unknown male is probably MIGUEL

FOX who has met with CARCIA at almost the

same location on a previous occasion.

On March 20, 1967, MM I-11 stated that

EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL is one of the leading bolita

bankers in Miami and that reportedly CARLOS PRIO

SOCARRAS, former Cuban President, and his brother,

ANTONIO PRIO have backed GARCIA from time to time.

On March 21, 1967, RICARDO FRANKLIN CUEVAS,

owner, American gasoline station, 1390 Northwest 27th

Avenue, Miami, advised he formerly was the 'owner of

the A and R American station formerly located at

12th Street and Northwest 27th Avenue where he was

in partnership with ALBERTO NAYOR. NAYOR never worked

at the station, simply invested his money. He originally

met NAYOR and LAZARO MILIAN in Cuba when NAYOR and

MILIAN worked at the Capri Casino. NAYOR lives in

Puerto Rico. He is also a well-known jewelry appraiser :

and jeweler.

On March 22, 1967, MM I-& advised that practically

all of the Cuban bolita operators are connected in some

manner with SANTO TRAFFICANTE, JR.

Source explained

that when, OSCAR ECHEMENDIA died, EVARISTO GARCIA took

over most of ECHEMENDIA'S business and that GARCIA is

financed by TRAFFICANTE. Source stated that ALBERTO

ARDURA also obtained a smaller share of this business and

he believes that he likewise has some financial arrangement

with TRAFFICANTE, possibly through GARCIA.

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MM 162633

On MarCh 23, 1967, at 9:15 A.M.,.

. a black

over wnite chevrolet, 1966 Florida license 3E4573

•and a red, two door Mustang, 1966 Virginia license

A377949 were observed at the

GARCIA reSidence.

On March 24, 1967, the records 'of the

Coral Gables First National

Bank as reviewed by

Special Agent ROBERT W. CLARKE contained no identifiable

reference to EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL or his family.

GARCIA VIDAL had been

On March 27, 1967, MM T-14 that EVARISTO

subpoenaed to the Dade County

Federal Grand Jury on

March 23, 1967. He was represented

by his attorney, OAKLEY SMITH, who also represented

SANTO TRAFFICANTE, JR.

At the time of the subpoena

GARCIA mentioned that

his laundry business was doing

well.

On March 28, 1967, EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL

was observed in the office of the Capriss Cleaners

at 12:00 noon.

on march 28, 1967, sul I-6 advised that EVARISTO

GARCIA VIDAL had received a

subpoena to the Dade County

Federal Grand Jury and appeared on March 23, 1967.

On March 29, 1967, MIKE ROMANO, U. S. Customs

Agent, advised that trucks from the Capriss Cleaners

for sometime had been observed picking up laundry from

the cruise ships arriving in Miami and that Customs

has felt that this may be a potential smuggling

operation.

On march 29, 1967,-Ma T-13 advised that during

the late evening of March 28, 1967, EVARISTO GARCIA

VIDAL drove in

a roundabout manner

to a residence at

3638 Southwest 26th Terrace and entered the residence.

de remained Inside until 1:50 A.M. on March 29,

1967,

when an unknown male drove up in a 1965 Chevrolet

bearing 1966 Florida license lW-l72961.

This man was

carrying a gray bag and entered the sane house.

About

ten minutes later, the unknown male exited the house

followed by GARCIA who was carrying a bank deposit bas

in one hand and a rolled up magazine under his an.

52

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MM 162-633

GARCIA entered his car and proceeded to his residence

but not in a direct route.

Source stated that the

above automobile is registered to HERIBERTO W. NEGRIN,

1800 Southwest 22nd Avenue, - Apartment 2, Miami.

on march 29, 1967, uM T-13 advised that

he had noticed the following automobiles at the residence

Of GARCIA: 1963 Ford Falcon to SOLOMON, 1966 Florida

license 1D-39796,

registered

SHERMAN, 2538

Southwest 11th Street, Miami, and a 1965 Comet,

two-door,

1966 Florida license 1-111132 registered to IVA R. BONNESS,

8420 Southwest 32nd Terrace.

On March 31, 1967, MM T=1 advised that GARCIA

appears to be getting

stronger daily and that it is

rumored

he is the contact who handles the protection

money with the authorities in the Miami area.

Recently

GARCIA has been in the

First National Bank in the company

of a short Cuban male, about 19-20 years old, 5 feet

6 inches, 150 pounds:

On April 7, 1967, source heard that HUMBERTO

TRUEBA and GARCIA had an argument over their intended

business venture in Santo Domingo and were made at each

other.

On April 2, 1967, the following cars were

observed

at the residence of GARCIA at 4:45 P.M.:

A Chevrolet, two-door, bearing 1966 Florida

license 1-71238 registered to MANUEL RODRIGUEZ, 2400

Northwest 27th Avenue, Miami.

A Comet, two-door, bearing 1966 Florida

license 6-6602.

On April 3, 1967, MM T-12 advised that among

the Cubans involved in bolita in Miami:

-53-

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MM 162-633

On April 15, 1967, at 9:45 P. M., the following

automobiles were noted at the GARCIA residence: A red

Volkswagen bearing 1966 Florida license 68D-3970 and a

1965 Comet bearing 1966 Florida license 6-6602. The

Comet is registered to JULIO CARLOS PEREZ PEREZ, a Cuban

from New York City living in Palm Beach and an active

member in the Cuban Nationalists Party, in which the son

of GARCIA is actively involved.

On April 10, 1967, MM T-13 advised that on

March 31, 1967, GARCIA left

his residence and went to the

residence of TERESA LEAL after 11:00 F. M. at night and

then proceeded to the 100 block of Maderia Street, Coral

Gables; Florida, where he entered house number 27.

On April 11, 1967, the automobile of HERIBERTO

NEGRIN,

1966 Florida license 1W-172961, was observed at

the Capriss Cleaners.

On April 17, 1967, EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL was

observed in his automobile at 1:00 P. M. proceeding to

the house of HUMBERTO TRUEBA on Northwest 13th Street.

Prior to entering the driveway of the TRUEBA house, he

stopped to speak to a man in the street who then left and

entered an automobile bearing 1966 Florida license 1W-130245.

At 1:13 P. M. GARCIA left the TRUEBA residence and was

observed at his residence at 120 P. M. The 1966 Florida

license 1W-130245 is a 1963 Buick registered to SALVATORE

DOMENICO, 6701 Southwest 75th Terrace.

At the residence of TRUEBA at the same time

as GARCIA was a 1961 Oldsmobile, four-door bearing 1966

Florida license 1W-135584, registered to FEDERICO DE LA

TORRE, 550 Northwest 56th Street, Miami.

57-

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MM 162-633

On April 18, 1967,

MM T-13 advised

JEK Law, 11(a)

On April 18, 1967, MM I-I advised as follows:

GARCIA VIDAL advised the source that he had been

talking with ALBERTO ARDURA recently. ARDURA told him that

everything was going well and that possibly they would join

forces in their bolita operation in a limited way. The

source believed that VIDAL meant "layoff" operation.

GARCIA VIDAL mentioned that he was quite upset

over the fact that the FBI had been surveilling and

interviewing his son EVARISTICO in connection with a Revolution-

ary plot to bomb some embassy in Canada. He mentioned that he

had no problems in his bolita operation since he was well

protected from local police action.

GARCIA mentioned that he had cemented relations*

with friends in New York in order to obtain the lottery

tickets for the New York lottery, which begins in June,

1967. GARCIA VIDAL asked the source to join him and

work

for him in the New York lottery ticket operation.

GARCIA told the source that he closes his "bolita

bank'' at midnight every Tuesday and Friday. The Tuesday

closing is connected with bolita writing for the drawing:

of the "Puèrto Rican."

The Friday night closing is connected

with the Saturday night drawing of the "Cuba" bolita. He

told the source that he does not permit the bolita writer

to make bets after midnight on these days although he himself,

since he is the boss, would take a bet after midnight if it

were from a

friend of his.

= 10

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When GARCIA VIDAL came to the United States

from Cuba, he had previously sent out approximately

$500,000 to a close associate in Miami, MIGUEL PEREZ

PITA.

PEREZ PITA had a safe deposit box in the First

National Bank of Miami for EVARISTO. PEREZ PITA still

has the confidence of EVARISTO and recommends people to

GARCIA for loans. If PEREZ PITA recommends a man, GARCIA

will loan the money.

EVARISTO used to go to the First National Bank

on a daily basis and could be seen any day between 11:00

and 12 noon. He used to have a special bank officer, an

American, whom he contacted to handle his business personally.

This man

has changed jobs and is now new business manager

of a mercantile bank located on 57th Avenue and Southwest

9th Street..

With this man at the other bank, source feels

that EVARISTO has changed his operation to this bank.

Source has known TRAFFICANTE personally for

years.

He has been in personal contact during the past

four years on numerous occasions asking for loans and

advice.

Each time he would contact TRAFFICANTE, he would

do so through MACHO GENER who would arrange the

meeting.

GENER was formerly a representative in Cuba and was employed

by TRAFFICANTE at $100 a week to take any calls, make

appointments and generally be the "arranger."

GENER nO

longer has this position and now if source wants to contact

TRAFFICANTE, he must do so through GARCIA VIDAL.

RAUL, GONZALEZ JEREZ, formerly of the Club Intimo,,

was very close to SANTO in Cuba and presumably is a close

friend. He is not connected to the bolita activities in Miami.

SANTO once mentioned to source that EVARISTO had

given him $20,000 that he needed.

, Source has met with SANTO after the appointments

made by GENER at the Doral Beach Hotel, Sonny's Restaurant

in Miami Beach on several occasions and also several/ cines

at the Mayflower Restaurant on Norchwest 36ch Street and

• Miami Avenue.

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EVARISTO mentioned to source on one occasion

that SANTO had made a lot of money in the exporting of

TV and small appliances

From Tampa.

SAM MONDELLO, a long time associate of TRAFFICANTE

from Tampa, has recently moved into Key West and set up a

gambling operation there.

On May 1, 1967, MM I-ll advised that he had

learned that a Cuban named "EL CHINO" was selling Puerto.

Rican lottery tickets which had been brought to Miami by

EVARISTO GARCIA VIDAL by means

of a pilot for Dominican.

Aviation.

On May 5, 1967, MM T-13 advised

JEK Law 11(a)

On May 5, 1967, at 12:00 midnight, a 1966 Ford

Falcon, four-doors

was observed at the GARCIA residence

bearing 1967 Florida license 1-46967. This car is registered

to HILDA RODRIGUEZ, 1550 Zaragoza, Coral Gables, Florida.

On May 10, 1967, MM T-13 advised

...be-

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