Document date: 04/17/2018
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

5-82 (Rev. 4-29-57)

To:

Director, FBI

it egal Attache, Ottawa

Title

LA COSA NOSTRA

in prie

Date: 3-30-65

(Bufile : 92-6054

Attention

92-62

Character

Reference

BUlet 2-2-65.

)

)

AR - CONSPIRACY

Enclosed are the following communications received from the RCMP: Original and

two copies of RCMP letter dated 3-26-65, together with three

copies of the enclosure thereto.

Remarks:

Dissemination

* May be made as received

May be made as indicated by stamp on enclosure

May not be made without further clearance with ReMO

Following offices would be interested in receiving conf

New York (92-2300)

Status with this, office

If to

RUC

92-

Pending

3

- Bus

MLI : jhc

(1 CC - New York)

6)

/eleenche

(3)

APR 2 0 1965

4/6%65

T9E: Co

Greatent

Do not wilte in space below

6 054-..

102,7. REC-33

APR AIM 1965

2091

a 190s

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## Page 2

• ALL CORRESPONDENCE TO

BE AUDRESSED:

THE COMMISSIONER

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE

OTTAWA 8, CANADA

TOUTE CORRESPONDANCE DOIT :

ÊTRE ADRESSÉE COMME SUIT:

LE COMMISSAIRE

GENDARMERIE ROYALE DU CANADA

OTTAWA 8, CANADA

YOUR NO.

VOTRE N°

OUR NO.

NOTRE NO

HQ-330-Q-1-3 (Vol. 2)

Mr. Moss Lee Innes,

c/o U.S. Embassy,

Ottawa, Ontario.

HEADQUARTERS - DIRECTION GÉNÉRALE

OTTAWA 8, CANADA

March 26, 1965.

PROPERTY OF R.C.M.P.

THIS POLICE REPORT

IS SUPPLIED TO YOU BY THE R.C.M. POLICE FOR

INFORMATION OF YOUR DEPARTMENT ONLY. IT IS

NOT TO BE MADE KNOWN TO ANY OTHER AGENCY

OR PERSON WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF

THE R.C.M.P.

Re: La Cosa Nostra, Montreal, Quebec

Canada

Nostra

New York report of 26-Jan-65 on La. Cosa

was referred to our Montreal office for their

comments and attached are copies of their report dated

8-Mar-65 in this regard.

03013 - 110/16

GILBRIDAL

COTRONT position as leader of have suspect d out vic

Regarding the information condemnine since

the 1957 Appalachin Meeting,

COTRONI has been a member of the "Mafia". Our opinion is

that COTRONI has had control or played a major roll in

directing all major criminal activities in the Montreal CANADA

area and as a result derived

an enormous financial benefit.

This

conclusion has been reached as a result of information

subsequent to the Appalachin

attended the Appalachin Meeting, but was one of several

persons who escaped apprehension.

3.

Persons of importance who have had contact

or dealings with Vic cotRont in the past and who we

consider could be part of the COTRONI organization are

as follows:-

(2) FrankeRONI - BPS H61,8069, born 9-Sept-30, lontreal, CArp in

He is the brother of Vic and Guiseppe COTRONI

and reported to be an "enforcer" for the

protection and prostitution rackets in

Montreal.

Reported to act as supervisor

assisted by one Joseph

COTRONI organization.

..

2

92-6054-1027

1027.÷

ENCLOSUR

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## Page 3

OTHER FILE REFERENCES:

ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE

DIVISION.

"C"

RCMP FILE REFERENCES:

SUB-DIVISION

6=330-9-1-3

DETACHMENT MtI. N.C.I.U.

#Q-330-Q-1-3 (V.2)

DATE

8 March 1965

Vincent Cotroni

PROPERTY OF R.C.M.P."- THIS FOLGE REPORT

IS SUPPLIED TO YOU BY THE R.C.M. POLICE FOR

INFORMATION OF YOUR DEPARTHENT ONLY. IT IS

NOT TO BE MADE KNOWN TO ANY OTHER AGENCY

OR PERSON WITHOUT THE WRITTEN PERMISSION OF

THE R.C.M.t.

C'237

REV. 15-2-63

SECRET

CANAD

I.

Further to memo from H.Q. Assistant C.I.B. Officer

dated 12 FEB 65, requesting information relevant to the

involvement of the COTRONIS, GALENTE, GRECO, otc., with the

BONANNO Lamily at this time, please be informed of the

following.

2.

There exists a definite link between BONANNO and

these other Individuals. Joseph BONANNO Alias "BANANAS" FPS

No. 891104 1s alloged to have entered this country as early

as 1938.

In 1954 Carmine CALENTE ALIAS LILLO THE CIGAR

FPS No. 815013, recently. reported by Joseph VALACHI as an

-underboss to BONANNO, considered a top U.s, hoodlum at the

time, took over the Montreal Syndicate. He controiled

organized gambling, protection rackets, stock frauds, gam-

bling, among other

major crime specialties.

He was known

to have dictatod on policies relevant to the Syndicate's

operations.

EPS No. 389562, a woll known

"Edge Man" HarryDAVIS, following the latter's slaying in

1946, was known

as strong arm man for GALENTE's newly formed

edent'ed canadian Syndicate. He lost his job in 1955 and subsequently

aisappeared mysteriously in 1956.

PETRULA 18 reported to

have had close associations with Harry SHIP, FPS.No. 47477,

a top, syndicate member and Luigi allas Louis GRECO FPS No.

815813, then considered an enforcer for the syndicate.: By

1956 the vico syndicate controlled all forms of crime.

It Is at this juncture that Police opinions are

most conflicting and speculative.

The chain of command

as presented earlier 1s generally accepted.

Following PE-

TRULA 's disappearance, one conjecture is that the city

divided into two distinct and separate

East End Gang" and "The West End Gang".

groups, namely

Othersmaintain that

this division was never made at all in terms of area but

rather in relation to the typo of crime committed.

5.

Irrespective of the motivations, the city was

divided.

Replacing PETRULA we find that Harry SHIP had

control of the West End with GRECO as his counterpart in

the East End." The West had the French Canadian and Jewish"

elements whilst the East comprised mostly of Italians and a

lesser number of French Speaking followêrs. This

sat-up was

42-6054

1027

CLOSURE

CONTID ON PAGE 200°

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## Page 4

RCMP 6886

RE:

CANAD

DoeLA: 32

CONTINUATION C-237

REV. 15-2-63

PAGE

2

Vincent COTRONI

THIS SET-UP WAS in evidence as late as 1961 when ViC COTRONI

FPS No. 183003 was roported as gradually taking over both

East and West.

His brother, Frank COIRONI FPS No. 648069

with Giuseppe COCOLICCHIO FPS No. 758891 were responsible

for the East End.

sinilarly Peter ADAMO FPS NO. 35459%

and wittiam COs FPS No. 90104 had control of the West End

mob also under Vic COTRONI.. LOUis GRECO's decisions, as

an enforcer were relegated to and acted upon by vio COTRONI,

his chief Lleutenant, until the late 1950. At this timo, an

internal struggle was boginning to show between the East and

Wost factions.

The Jewish element from the west were gra-

dually loosing ground and the COTRONI mob bagan showing con-

tempt.

At this juncture, SHIP is shot at from close range.

Ho was wounded in the legs and obviously it was only inten

ded to scare him into submission rather than an attempt on

his 11re. salomon SCHNAPP FPS No. 963768, an Influential

west end eageman had has esteedsanent, thee

CUT FARCE NIGHT

as domolished by goons.

This wo consider,

was the

Linal

blow to the last and west divisions.

6.

Prior to the East-Wost amalgamation, a second

theory, less probable than

the first, was also advanced.

Sinco

Carmine GALENTE was using both

LOUiS GRECO and ViC

COTRONI as enforcers as early as 1955, a two way split in

crimo specialties may have existed..

GRECO could have hand

lod drugs, gambling, stock frauds, counterfeiting, book-

making and receiving.

ViC COIRONI, through his associates

may have been responsible for prostitution, bonds and secu-

rities, hold-ups and major rackets.

Drugs could have been

an open field.

Bootlegging Into one another's specialty

could have beon tolerated within reason with some measure

of control.

Since 1961, VIC COTRONI's Influence and prestige

within the syndicate

1s known to have flourished rapidly.

We suspect that he is presently the Commission boss. His

brothers Frank and Michel COTRONI are considered his enfor-

corsa

GRECO, on the contrary, 1s renowing acquaintances

with potty hoodlums. As a result his activities are becoming

Increasingly susceptible to detoction.

GRECO 1s also report -

ed financlally on the decline.

This figures since he now

operates a second rate restaurant in Three Rivers, P.Q.

("LE ROI DU SPAGHETTI" ) •

32249

SECA

CONTID ON PAGE

3...

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## Page 5

RCMP 6886

Vincent CCRONI

CONTINUATION C-23:

REV. 15-2-63

PAGE

3

SECRET

8.

Referring to Para. 2 where a request is made for

the nares of 20 menbers whom we feel belong to the Montreal

"Docina"

Inasmuch as we are convinced that the "Cosa Nostra

has oxtended its tentacles here, we have no evidence to sub-

stantiate the

existenco of even one "Cosa Nostra" family in

Montreal.

We have roceivod no information at any time to

the effect that other than CALEVIE, any of the local commis-

sion belonged to this organization as we know it to function.

The allegation that BONANNO, In 1964 came to form a family

of "borgatta"

cones as no surprise.

Had he been given the

opportunity of settling here, this may have come about.

Between his incarceration, legal proceedings and subsequent

deportation, it is most doubtful that he had made any gains

at forning such a family, particularly since the Montreal

group wanted to bo loft alone.

Since we have been alerted to the possibility of

Y'icosa Nostral family boing formed hore, the mattor will

be borne in mind and any information of value will be

promptly raportad.

Sgt.

C.A.L. Isboiron, 15323.

1/c Montreal N. C. I. U.

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## Page 6

CANADA

2

-

121 JOSENORCULICHIC - YES 75921, Dorm dense

Montreal, CANADA

Reported to be "strong-arm man" and "enforcer"

for the COTRONI syndicate and assists Frank

COTRONI in the supervision of the so called

Eastend Gang•

(3) Peter ADAMO @

/DAMS - FPS #354597, barn 29-June -14,

Ontario%

ADAMO is a gambler who is

connected with race

and bookmaking businesses. Reported to be

supervisor of the so called Westend Gang with

one George illiam COHEN.

referred to below,

for the Vic COTRONI organization. Members of

the Westend Gang are reported to

be well-known

safecrackers and also dispose of stolen bonds.

ANADA

*It is reported that ADAMO and COE do not take

an active part in the safecracking or thefts

but establish new outlets for distribution

of the bonds and plan places to be robbed.

(4)

George williane

COE - FPS #98184, born 3-May-05,

malandon, England.

COE is well-known Montreal gambler and reported

to be a "pressure man" for the syndicate (one

who contacts managers of nightclubs demanding

protection). Also note information on Peter

ADAMO.

151 ARMANAGGUEVILIE - EES $356432

He is a close associate of COTRONI and acts

as a front in various businesses for the

COTRONI organization.

(6).

Fernand Pierre LErEBHE - no known recora.

He is a close associate of COTRONI and owner

of Jacques Cartier Motel in Montreal, possibly

another business interest of COTRONI.

Believed

to act as courier for COTRONI.

(7)

Paul VIOLI - FPS #820579, born 6-Feb-32, Reggio,

w Calabria, Sicily

3

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VIOLI is a naturalized Canadain and has been

protection, arson ta tana travan recent

investigation has shown a close association

between

VIOLI and the COTRONI organization.

(8) Irving ELLIS - EPS. #833862, FBI #2068775, born 16-Jan-65,

ELLIS is reported to be an "edge man" and collector

of protection fees from the gambling syndicate.

Past investigation has shown that ELLIS has

accompanied COTRONI to Miami, Florida in 1958

and was believed to be the contact man between

COTRONI and the Carmine GALANTE organization.

Recently ELLIS has been involved in the Embassy

Steel investigation.

(9) Jackie

SHUGAR - FPS #335733, born 8-July-08, Russia.

He is a well-known gambler and recent investi-

gation has shown his involvement in the Embassy

Steel operation.

(10) Hyman

STERNMAN - FPS #17851A, FBI H108053A, borE

New York City, N.Y

A well-known gambler and steel broker who .

is now subject of the STERNMAN-BERCOVITCH

et al investigation.

(11) Leo/BERCOVITCH - FPS #486134, born 26-Dec-04 Canada.

Well-known Montreal gambler and is the subject

of recent investigation concerning STERNMAN-

BERCOVITCH

et al.

(12)

Solomon-

SCHNAIP @ Solly.

SILVERS - FPS #963768,

He is well-known "middleman" and "edge man"

for the Montreal criminal element and

presently subject of the STERNMAN-EMBASSY

STEEL investigation. CANADA

(13) Harry

SHIP - FPS #474777, born 1913 Canada.

Well-known Montread

gambler and "edge man"

for the syndicate.

CANADA

tristantin

4

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4-

(14) Louis

RECO - EPS #225228, born 19-Sept-13, Montreal A-NAD,

the 950s reported to be one of Carmine

GALANTE's top enforcers in the protection

and stock racketeering activities.

reports indicate that he has lost his

influence in the organization to a certain

extent.

(15) Albert,

LEAN - FPS #415880, FBI H305257B, born 3-Sept-11/122

Montreate pa=55. S

(Granted landed status at

CANADA

Investigation in the past revealed that LEAN was

involved in gambling, prostitution, protection,

narcotics and stock rackets.

in 1957 connecteo

and also associated with

Louis GRECO in the latter part of 1950 and early

'1960 in the Welland Investment Limited stock

rackets with such well-known stock racketeers

as Arthur TORTORELLA (FBI #471455), Carmine

LOMBARDOZZI (FBI #290869) and Stanley YOUNGER

(FBI #272384D) .

Recent enquiries indicate LEAN

residing in Quebec City, P.Q. and that there

has been contact between LEAN and Vic COTRONI.

(16)

vincenso LANDO e Jimmy at 4230940, born 27-Feb-35.

Previous Investigation revealed that ORLANDO

is an ex-hockey player for the Detroit Redwings

and has been banished from entering the U.s.

He refereed wrestling matches in the Montreal

a in the hontreat

Forum and other locations in the province in

the 1950s and associates with known gamblers,

nightclub people and wrestlers.

Some of his

associates in the past were Solly SCHNAPP

Mich

and other well-known Montreal hoodlums.

ORLANDO is married and his wife is from Miami,

Florida where in the past they spent considerable

time each year.

He has a brother Joseph "Josie"

a Lampling establish ento ns Antoine staged

5

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(17)

Montreal.

ORLANDO is also mentioned in our

correspondence dated 22-Feb-65

your reference

88-4518

our reference 62 HQ-1180-1-C-4

concerning Joseph Vincent ASARO.

born 7-Jan-25.

• SCANZANO made application for permission to

CANADA

enter the U.S.A. as a non-immigrant.

Enquiries

at that time revealed that he was involved in

gambling and on his application for permission

to enter the U.s. gave his destination as one

William FIORE of Springfield, Mass. who was

a well-known gambler and operator of bookie

joints in the western Mass. area. Enquiries

also revealed that SCANZANO operated gambling

establishments and the Chance Cafe, 1236 Crescent

Sandevous tor

Montreal, a front for card games and a

prostitutes and hoodlums etc.

in the 1950s.

Confidential information received

at that time revealed that SCANZANO operated

the Aldos restaurant, 1061 Mountain street

Montreal along with his brother Frank SCANZANO,

Joseph ORLANDO and Vincent ORLANDO. Frank

SCANZANO has a police record and is recognized

as a "strong arm" type.

Leo SCANZANO, in the

1050s was active in white slave traffic

between the U.S. and Montreal for a few years.

He is married

and has two children.

It is

reported that SCANZANO and Vincenzo ORLANDO

were king pins for the Mafia organization in

Montreal at that time. SCANZANO is also

referred to in our correspondence of 22-Feb-65,

your reference 88-157.

(18)

Frank GUZZO - FPS #117817

He is the son-in-law of Vic COTRONI and has

accompanied him on trips to U.S. and other

countries in the past.

(19)

Ralph 22-905 Welder street, Montreal

He is the father of Frank GUZZO and in 1959

managed the Chez Paree Nightclub which was

then partly owned by COTRONI.

(20)

Michael (MichelT COTRONI @ "Nick"- FPS #023532,

born 12-June-28, Montreal CANADA

He is the brother of Vic and Frank COTRONI.

6

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NADA

-

6

(21) Paul EmiTe/DESCENTERS - ERS #235595; born

31-0ct-132

Nontreat CANADA

CANADA

Is the father-in-Law in San Montreat and

recent enquiries revealed that in 1960 was

the sole owner and president of the Lakeshore

Lines Ltd., Montreal, P.Q. and after a four

month operational period claimed to have

earned approximately $300,000. In the Fall

of 1960 the Island King, a cruise ship owned

by DESORMIERS, was burned and supposedly

destroyed by gangland violence.

He received

over $100,000 for local insurance companies

for the damage incurred. He has only two

minor convictions in 1930 - 1941 for theft and

immorality. He presently declares himself as

unemployed

and his estimated worth is valued

at over $800,000.

(22)

Fernando (Ferdinando)/MUCELLI - born 4-Jan-28

taly He is the nephew r Vic COTRONI and

is presently employed with the firm of

Guiseppe SUPUTO & FIGuI Lta., 8510-8th Ave.,

CANADA

Ville St. Michael, P.& mentioned in previous

correspondence concerning Joseph BONANNO.

23)

Dominic DeFRANCESCO - FPS #734889

See information on brother Joseph DeFRANCESCO

mentioned below.

(24)

DeFRANCESCO - FPS #235759

Past investigation has shown close association

between Joseph DeFRANCESCO and his brother

Dominic with the COTRONI organization.

in the past

past not son

Joseph

has often acted as a chauffeur for

Vic COTRONI.

Enquiries as recent as October

1964 revealed that a private party was held at

the "One and Two Nightclub"

, 755 Butler street,

Montreal, a hangout for various racketeers.

Persons

observed attending this party were

ORLANDO and other criminals from the Montreal

area.

7

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7

Most of the persons mentioned above have

been the subject of correspondence with your agency on separate

files.

There are other persons we could name who have had

contact with Vic COTRONI and his brothers in various criminal

activities, however, we have tried to give you the names of

persons we

feel have played a major part in the criminal fields

This is not

such a that in there erson mentioned belong to the so called

Montreal branch of the

William COE

5.

This information is

forwarded to assist

your Department in any further enquiries.

We would appreciate

any additional information you may obtain in this matter.

Criminal ice t a on branch.

Encls.

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