Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: SAC, CV
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 01/31/1964
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

5/14/201

AGENCY :

RECORD NUMBER :

RECORD SERIES :

FBI

124-10286-10298

HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

92-6054-581

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

TO :

TITLE:

SAC, CV

DIRECTOR, FBI

DATE: 01/31/1964

' PAGES:

8

SUBJECTS :

LCN, OC, LEADERSHIP, GAMBLING A/O CRIMINAL ACT,

POLIT, MAFIA, ASSOC, MEMBERS, SMO, GM, SJL

DOCUMENT TYPE:

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION:

Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS:

CURRENT STATUS :

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 06/29/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

v9.1

DocId: 32304668

Page 1

---

## Page 2

OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10

5010-106-05

MAT 180Z EDITION

GSA GEN. REG. NO. 27

UNITED STATES GC

RNMENT

Memorandum

TO

DATE:

7/31/64

FROM

SUBJECI

DIRECTOR, FBI (92-6054)

SAC, CLEVELAND (92-748)

LA COSA NOSTRA, aka

AR - CONSPIRACY

Re Cleveland airtel to Bureau dated 1/17/64.

On January 15, 1964, CV 344-C was contacted by $A

FRANK G. DOUDS and

furnished the following Informationg

RE: PITTSBURGH ORGANIZATION

CV 344-C advised that much has been said about the

leadership in the "organization" In newspapers in the

6-Bureau (2 - 157-742)

(21699Sub1l

4-Cincinnati

8-New York (92-2300)

o-Pittsburgh

(2-92-534)

29-Cleveland

UNRECORDED COPY FILED

(1 - 92-167 SCALISH)

92-173 JOSEPH AJELLO)

- FRANK MILANO)

(1 - 92-621

Crime Conditiona

92-400 ANTHONY MILANO)

Youngstown)

-

92-New FRANK DE AUGUSTINI)

92-280 WHITEY BESASE), (1 - 92-782 Crime Conditiong

= 92-397 JAMES LICAVOLI)

Toledo)

92-874

ANGELO PERNA) (1 - 92-634: Crime

92-New

conditiong

GUS DEMA)

Warren)

92-912

BONSS BATTISTA 1 - 137-1130)

92-869

LEO MOCERI)

137-341-SA)

fond

92-630

ERNIE LA SALLE, (2

92-810

92-718)

ANTHONY DELSANTER)

92-768

TONY MOLLICA)

92-808

DOMINIC MATIAMOS

-- 137-10 PAT FERRUCCIO)

-

92-988

92- New

JAMES PRATOX-115 - 92-477 Criminal

MIKE ROMEO

Intelligence)

92-639 PAUL. ROMEO)

REG-

38

42-6054581

(55)

10 FEB: 5 1964

DocId: 32304668

Page 2

---

## Page 3

CV. 92-748

Pittsburgh area, but the most powerful individual in the

Pittsburgh area 1s TONY RIPEPI®

He stated there 1s no one higher

In the Pittsburgh area and especially In Washington or Allegheny

counties.

He also exerts influence in west Virginia..

He stated

although "CHUCK" THEMER 1s the front man for the Red Dog elub, a

very elaborate gambling

west Virginia, and

was previously at the Club 30 and the Jockey Club, large gambling

spots in Chester, West Virginia; TREVER 1s merely tolerated for

his political Influence and all the employees of the club are

working for TONY RIPEPI.

Cv 344-c stated that he is certain that RIPEPI 18 the

"boss", and although FRANK VALENTI allegedly attended the Apalachin

meeting, he was merely there as a representative of RIPEPI.

stated that from information he had obtained, the Apalachin

meeting was by no means a meeting of the real bosses of the Maria,

but was a meeting of the representatives of the real bosses.

stated as an example of this, JOHN I. SCALISH of Cleveland was

He-

at this meeting and if he was there, he, the Informant, knows

that he is not the "boss" of Cleveland. If he attended, he was

merely there as an emissary of ANTHONY MILANO.

Cv 344-0 advised that GABRIEL and SAMSL MANNARINO Of

New Kinsington, Pennsylvania,

"organization"

were unquestionably members of the

RIPEPI.

,but they would come under the domination of

CV 344-0 stated he had heard of SEBASTIAN JOHN LA ROCCA

and if he is in the organiztion he would also be under RIPEPI.

CV 344-C advised that he knows MIKE ACQUARO as a member

of the "organization" and had been a power, but at present he 1s

allegedly in poor health and dying.

He stated he knows ANDREW MANGINI, as a member of the

"organization" and engaged in numbers activities and

other gambling

in the Pittsburgh area.

as a "nobody" In the "organization" and not well thought of because

the Forgantzation

He stated he would deseribe him actually

of being known as a "sucker"

in any gambling game which runs in

the wheeling, west Virginia, area.

CV 344-0 advised that the seven VOLPE brothers had been

powers in the Pittsbürgh area In the 1920s. He stated JOHN VOLPE

had been the "boss" "of the "family" and was later killed with two

of his brothers at Glanni Brazzano's Bar in Pittsburgh. He stated

- 2..

DocId: 32304668

Page 3

---

## Page 4

CV 92-748

that BRAZZANO was murdered at a later date for his suspected part

in the VOLPE murders.

CV 344-C stated BRAZZANO has a son still

residing in the Pittsburgh area, namely JOHN BRAZZANO who 1s

extremely close to young MIKE ROMEO of Campbell, Oh10, who 1s the

son of PAUL ROMEO.

PAUL ROMEO has retired, but held in high respect

by the "organization" and formerly a power in Campbell, Youngstown,

and Mahoning County, Ohio.

CV. 344-C stated there are a couple of the VOLPE brothers

still residing in Pittsburgh, but he does not know them personally.

Cv 344-C stated he had known GUY VOLPE, who later died

of pneumonia at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and at

one time when he

wanted by

the local authorities on some charge around Pittsburgh,

Pennsylvania, he had hidden out in the home of a GUISSEPPI

PINDILLI, a member of the "organization" who was later deported to

Italy:

PINDILLI was at that time residing in the area of Scotts-

dale,

Pennsylvania;

& were he wan

where he was later arrested on a narcoties

charge. This arrest had taken place about 1927.

CV 344-C advised concerning the killing of the VOLPE

brothers in Pittsburgh, he had learned from GUISSEPPI PINDILLI

that one of the alleged killers of

the VOLPE brothers was a man

named (FNU) SPINchul, and he had fled to Italy to escape reprisals

and was either apprehended there by authorities or "they" the

organization caught him and killed him in Italy.

RE; NEW YORK ORGANIZATION

CV 344-C advised a member of the "organization" who had

been a power at one time was one PASQUALE NAPOLI,

who controlled

the longshoremen in Brooklyn for many years. He stated he had

died about one year ago.

He was known personally by the informant.

RE:

CLEVELAND ORGANIZATION

CV 344-C advised the "organization" at Cleveland, Ohio,

was at one time under the control of CICCIO (FRANK) MILANO.

Calabrese, MILANO fled to Mexico owing the United States a great

deal of money for the evasion of income taxes.

CV 344-0 stated CICCIO MILANO, presently in 1ll health,

was succeeded by his brother ANTHONY MILANO:

He stated that his

word is "law? at present even with the Sicilian group in Toledo,

Akron, Canton, Sandusky, Warren and Youngstown, Ohjo.

- 3-

DocId: 32304668

Page 4

---

## Page 5

CV 92-748

CV 344-0 stated that FRANK DE AUGUSTINI, Owner of the

Roman Gardens, Mayfield Road, section of Cleveland, is the second

in command in Cleveland under MILANO.

He stated he did not

know FRANK BRANCATO well but he believed that he would be next

In command in the Calabrese group in Cleveland and under MILANO

and DE AUGUSTINI.

Cv 344-C stated that there would be two distinct groups

in the organization in the Cleveland area or in Northeastern Ohio

and as far west as Toledo.

He stated

the set up is unusual in

that the Calabrese group is more highly respected than the Sicilian

group in the geographical area. He stated his opinion comes from

reactins to different arguments which have arisen and would have

He stated the Sicilian group

operates its own enterprises and there is apparently a pact that

they and the Calabrese will not encroach on each other's enterprises.

In this geographical area,

the sicilian group inclues

JAMES LICAVOLI,

aka Jack White, Cleveland; "WHITEY"

BESASE Of

Toledo under LICAVOLI and ANGELO PERNA of

Toledo under BESASE. He

stated they have enterprises operating in Toledo.

Informant stated LICAVOLI has GUS DIMA as the representa-

tive at Sandusky, Ohio, who has his sources of income there.

Informant stated PAT FERRUCCIO was the representative

for LICAVoLI for years, but lost out for some reason.

FERRUCCIO

still a member is not in good standing at present.

CV 344-0 stated

he has heard that a "BONES" BATTISTA of Canton, Ohio, 1s more or

less in control in that city at present. He had supported the

right candidate in a local election there and was able to operate,

but needed

a "bank roll" for his operation.

He sought outside

help and, therefore, LEO MOCERI, ERNIE LA SALLE and ANTHONY DELSANTER

became his partners in a

bookie and numbers operation.

At Warren, Ohio, CV 344-C advised ANTHONY DELSANTER™

became "boss" of the areä when MIKE FARAH, a Syrian, was murdered

(6/10/61). The organization had put up with FARAH as Long as he

organization nad pu

had influence and had the politicians in his pocket. When he

became obstreperous and uncontrolable, the "organization' "dumped"

him.

He also stated that CHARLES IMBURGIA, operator of the

Sunrise Inn, East Market Street, Warren, Ohio, may now be affiliated

with the Sicilian group of LICAVOLI, but at one time several years

ago he was part of the Pittsburgh group headed by RIPEPI.

- 4-

DocId: 32304668 Page 5

---

## Page 6

CV 92-748

At Akron, Ohlo, the territory is controled by the

Sicilian group operating in Toledo, Canton, Warren, and Youngstown,

Ohio.

ev 344-0 advised that JAMES

LA FATCH seemed

to be the

represertative of LICAVOLI in that area together with his brother,

TONY, and would be under the direct supervision of "WHITEY" BESASE

of Toledo and LICAVOLI in Cleveland, Ohio.

At Mansfield, Oh1o; CV 344-C advised TONY MOLLICA 1S

an "organization" representative and although a Calabrese, will

"hustle" with the Calabrese and Sicilian groups.

not consider him a power, but stated he is a member of the "organiza-

and operates the Ritz Bar in Mansfield, Oh10.

same two groups in the

Calabrese has someaction and the Sicilian group ünder LICAVOLI

have their own ventures. Both have respect for one another's

enterprises.

The Calabrese in Youngstown are run by DOMINIC MALLAMO

who 1s more or less the successor to PAUL ROMEO, brother of MIKE

ROMEO and MALLAMO iS close to ANTHONY MILANO In

Cleveland. MALLAMO

1s in a semi-retired position, but exacts tribüte from those under

Second in command, taking a more active part and soon to be

him leading representative of the Calabrese, Is JAMES. PRATO, aka

"Two Gun" Jimmy" of Poland, Oh10, who is a nephew of MALLAMo.

informant stated when the

from Youngstown,

ohio,

no mout can

The

barbut game moved to Struthers, Ohio,

following the death of VINCE DE NIRO (7/17/61),

they moved the game in the property of the CARABBIA brothers and

only put up with them since they controled

the city administration

in struthers, Ohio, to the extent they would be allowed to

operate without

interference.

He stated that young MIKE ROMEO, the son of PAUL ROMEO,

Campbell, Ohio, has some influence there as pointed out previously,

and is very close to JOHN BRAZZANO, the sön Of GIANNA BRAZZANO,

deceased, who was involved in the VOLPE murders in Pittsburgh.

Regarding the Sicilian group of the "organization" in

Youngstown, CV. 344-C stated he could not say if VINCE J. DE NIRO,

bombing victim of 7/17/61, was a member of the "organization" or

nöt.

He stated, however,

that DE NIRO's murder caused great

concern among all members of the "organization."

He stated that

of all the murders committed in the Youngstown

area, this was the

only murder where members of the

"organization"

made active efforts

to determine the persons responsible for same.

He cited inquiry

made by JAMES PRATO, JAMES TRIPODI, Steubenville, and TONY RIPEPI

:-5 ÷

• DocId:32304668

Page 6

---

## Page 7

Cv 92-748

of Pittsburgh as examples of "organization" members attempting to

determine his killer.

He stated If DE NIRO was not a member, he

was a big source of income for the organization and had been

cooperative after having been "shaken down" by the

"organization."

CV 344-0 stated the "organization" made no inquiry of

him following the bombing murder of CAVALLARO and for his reason

he believed CAVALLARO was killed for getting out of line.

He stated

if he had been killed without the sanction of the "organization"

they would have inquired as to who was responsible for the killing

of one of their members.

He stated that in his opinion, CAVALLARO

had a portion of DE NIRO's operation and apparently tried to "hog"

the entire operation after his death.

Regarding JASPER "FATS" AIELLO, JR., aka, the informant

advised he is no longer held in high respect

because he has "gotten

out of line" by bad publicity and by engaging In armed robbery and

burglary. He stated that AIELLO had formerly been well thought of

and in Youngstown, he occupied about the same position at one time

as TONY DELSANTER occupies at present in Warren.

He noted that,

DELSANTER and AJELLO are

still close associates.

killed on 7/1/62, was killed because the

CV 344-0 advised WILLIAM NAPIE "organization" learned

bombing murder victim

he was responsible for killing DE NIRO.

According to the information

he received, the NAPLES brothers were not part of either the

Calabrese or Sicilian groups and did not contribute to either and

especially Cleveland.

canton, Ohio, whose body was found stuffed in the trunk of his

This again would mean

obtained employment with the NAPLES brothers and unquestionably

"set up" BILLY NAPLES for his murder.

CV 344-C stated MOId may

have been eliminated when It was learned through the newspapers

that he had-admitted to the FBI that he had driven BILLY NAPLES

to his "Joe Blow" car just before 1t blew up, killing him.

INFLUENCE AND STATURE OF CALABRESE GROUP IN CLEVELAND ORGANIZATION

CV 344-C advised the Calabrese group at Cleveland definitely

dominates the Sicilian when arguments and misunderstanding arise.

- 6 -

• DocId: 32304668 Page 7

---

## Page 8

CV 92-748

He gave the following example:

he stated about 1950, a Warren, Ohio, pimp named BENJAMIN

PANDELLI, not considered a member of the "organization" because

of his means of livelihood which is frowned upon by the

"organization"

backed a sheriff in his candidacy for the office at Mansfield, Ohio.

As a result of this back, he was allowed by the successful

candidate to open a house of prostitution in Mansfield, Ohio.

The

sheriff was not backed by TONY MOLLICA, a member of the "organization"

at Mansfield, Ohio.

CV 344-C stated when MOLLICA noted that PANDELLI'S

operation, was a money maker, he approached PANDELLI and told him

that people in town

were talking and saying that he, monuisA,

responsible for the house being able to operate.

was

He said it

was giving him a bad name.

CV 344-0 advised PANDELLI realized that

MOLLICA was not concerned about

his bad name and that MOLLICA was

attempting to move in and muscle him.

When PANDELLI was not

receptive to the attempts of MOLLICA,

MOLLICA then sought the aid

Of MIKE ROMEO, Poland, Ohio, who approached PANDELLI with the same

story. ROMEO

told PANDELLI, according to CV 344-C, that he should

close down for a couple of months so that things could be "cleared

ROMEO told PANDELLI that he was a friend of his father,

GUISSIPPI PINDILLI.

PANDELLI refused to close and CV 344-0 advised

according to what PANDELLI later told him, he wrote a letter explain-

ing the situation to his father in Buenos Aires. CV 344-0 stated

PANDELLI then received a letter from his father which instructed

him to take this letter to ANTHONY MILANO, in Cleveland, which

apparently PANDELLI did. " A little later PANDELLI received a call

from "WHITEY" BESASE,

Toledo, Ohio, who instructed him to appear

with MOLLICA at the home of JIMMIE LA FATCH In Akron, 0n10.

CV 344-C advised PANDELLI refused fearing that he would

be "dumped" en route or at the meeting:

PANDELLI called ANTHONY

MILANO at Cleveland in the presence of MOLLICA and MILANO talked

to MOLLICA at this time.

He told him he was instructing PANDELLI

to accompany him to the meeting but that if a

"hair on the head of

PANDELLI" was harmed, he would see that the whole bunch was taken

care of.

CV 344-0 stated PANDELLI went to Akron, Ohio, wish MOLLICA

for the meeting at JAMES LA FATCH's home:

persons present.

After

There were about 20

a dinner, all except PANDELLI, not a member,

retired to the basement where MOLLICA and MIKE ROMEO were interrogated.

- 7-

DocId: 32304668 Page 8

---

## Page 9

CV 92-748

CV 344-C advised he learned that MOLLICA lied and he

denied he had said what he had and ROMEO became infuriated and left.

Everyone else shook hands with PANDELLI and he was told he could

continue to "operate" and he was not "out of line." In addition,

to the above mentioned, others present during this meeting were

LA FATCH, "WHITEY" BESASE, LEO MOCERI, ERNIE LA SALTE, ANTHONY

DELSANTER, FRANK BRANCATO

and many strangers not known to Cy 344-c.

CV 344-0 stated about two weeks later, PANDELLI was

called to the Ritz Bar operated by MOLLICA by MIKE ROMEO.

ROMEO

denounced MOLLICA as a "liar" in front of PANDELLI and then instructed

PANDELLI to relay what had happened to ANTHONY MILANO In Cleveland

and to tell him that all had been cleared up. CV 344-c stated

PANDELLI advised he did not go to MILANO with this message, but

saw his subordinate, DE AUGUSTINI, at Cleveland who said he would

relay the message to MILANo.

CV 344-0 stated apparently MILANO

was not to be bothered with

such minor details.

RE: STEUBENVILLE "ORGANIZATION"

CV 344-0 stated JAMES TRIPODI fully controls the

Steubenville, Ohio, area and exerts some influence into certain

sections of West Virginia.

He stated that if there is to be

anything done Illegally in the Steubenville, Ohio, area 1t 1s

necessary to first clear with TRIPODI, otherwise

• the parties

are on their own:

CV 344-C stated that several years back an "organization"

member's restaurant known as the Baron Restaurant owned by COSMO

QUATRONE was held up by some armed robbers from the Cleveland area.

The group Included DAVE TIBERZIO, THOMAS "LAUGHING TOMMY" RUDELICK,

VINCENT INNOCENZI and DOMINICK MAFRICI.

The thieves had not checked

with TRIPODI and as a result, MAFRICI although the son-in-law of

FRANK DE AUGUSTINI, Cleveland member was killed in Buffalo about

3/15/57, while out on bond. INNOCENZI was shot several times and

found near Canton, Ohio, in the summer of 1960.

- 8-

DocId:32304668 Page 9

---