CR 137-7756-2
Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: LA
To: HQ
Document date: 03/15/1962
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

JFK Assassination System

Date:

5/6/2015

Identification Form

Agency Information

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER: 124-90008-10039

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER : CR SEE TITLE

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: LA

TO: HQ

TITLE : [Restricted]

DATE :

PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

03/15/1962

7

DOCUMENT TYPE:

CLASSIFICATION:

RESTRICTIONS:

CURRENT STATUS:

DATE OF LAST REVIEW :

RICHARD KAVNER

[Restricted]

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Unclassified

4

Redact

09/16/1997

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS:

AT

v9.1

DocId: 32322973

15

Page 1

---

## Page 2

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note).

DATES (F1+11-2017

Transmit th

Via

FBI

Date:

3/15/62

(Type in plain text or code)

AIR MAIL

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

lowing in

ipes 3,9,5

AIRTEL

3-1

TO :

DIRECTOR, FBI

-D-91D

FROM:

SAC, IOS ANGELES (137-261@OPIES MACE,

DATE) -94.23

2. BY

CONE, INET.

RE LaRINEY

"RE :

LA 4379-PC.

FOR REVIEW AT FEINO AND/OR DELIVERY

TOP ECHEION CRIMINAL TO HSCA RE REQUEST DATED 2=2=23-

INFORMANT PROGRAM

(SEE BUFILE 62-117290)

Re Bureau airtel dated 1/19/62.

This case is currently assigned to SA JOHN

ROBERT BARRON and informant will hereafter be contacted

exclusively by SA BARRON and SA TIMOTHY I. DONOVAN.

The following background is submitted

regarding this source:

Date of Birth

11/2/29

Place of Birth

caguas,

Height

5'5"

Puerto Rico

Weight

150 pounds

Hair

Brown

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

Eyes

Brown

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIEL

Race

White

DATE 8 - 10-968x5668540 115R

Complexion

Dark

(JFK) O

Marital Status

Married, wife CATHERINE

Children

ZGECINTIMAE@LIEVLIAE

Two, Boy - Age 6

Girl - Age 3

BECE!

Social Security No. 066-26-7131

137

WINS!

- bureau

(REGISTERED)

LOS

'Angeles

9X-105

niZ DELL UE (ZIR 137-2616)

1371136-

LBI&

92-934

92-3861

* MAR 1'8 1962

(1

62-5125)

(1 - 137-2528)

JRB/rhf

(9)

3

Approved

62 MAR 28

1362

pecial Agent in Charge

Sent

" Per

DocId: 32322973 Page 2

---

## Page 3

Released under the John F, Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

LA 137-2616

California Operators

License

Military Service

B1285552

Enlisted U. S. Army

2/21/52, ASN-RA 19397016

Received Medical Discharge

7/15/53

A review of Los Angeles indices reflects that

informant was the subject of case entitled "JUSTO RAMON

LEON SANTOS, aKa Jimmy De Leon, registered as Justo

Raymond Leon, SSN 40-4-29-487,

, Buffle

25-322346, Los Angeles file 25-521011 Investigation

in this case was initiated to determine if JUSTO RAMON

LEON was identical with registrant JUSTO RAMON LEON

SANTOS.

Investigation determined that he was and it

was subsequently determined that LEON was in the Army

and prosecution declined for this reason.

In connection

therewith, LEON

was contacted and at this time it was

determined that he was given a Medical Discharge for

hallucinations

and mental problems.

Concerning the above, it is noted that in all

three contacts and interviews by Agents with LEON, he

has in no way manifested any mental or emotional problems.

His position as owner of two of the most elaborate

restaurants in the Los Angeles area would tend to bear

credence to this

fact.

Los Angeles will continually

remain alert for any signs of emotional instability.

To date Investigation has in no way reflected that this

informant has furnished any false information.

Informant resides with his wife and children

at 2548 Laurel Pass, Hollywood, California, telephone

elephonen

0L 6-7068.

He owns

and operates the La Scala Restaurant

and the Au Petit Jean Restaurant in Beverly Hills,

California.

On 2/8/62 the records of the Los Angeles

Police Department and Los Angeles Sheriff's Office were

reviewed negatively by IC STEVEN T. SCHOENBAUM.

On 1/25/62 a negative review was made of

the records of the

• Retail Merchants Credit Association,

Los Angeles, by IC TED W. CRAWFORD.

-2 -

DocId: 32322973 Page 3

---

## Page 4

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

- th

Suchment

ilote th

LA 137-2616

pc on interview, advised that following nis

discharge

from the Army in 1953 he drove a Yellow Call

in San Francisco. In approximately 1955-1957 he worked

as a walter for FRANK SINATRA at the Villa Capri

Restaurant,

Los Angeles.

In 1957 he began the operation

of the La Scala Restaurant, Beverly Hills and at the

end of 1959 began the operation of the Au Petit Jean.

On 2/21/62 informant was interviewed and

furnished the following information to SAs FREDERICK

E. RODERICK and JOHN ROBERT BARRON:

NA:

rE STEIN

N.U

Informant advised that STEIN has a promoters

license which permits him to engage in fund raising

campaigns for various charitable, organizations and

fund drives.

alle

STEIN, in the past, has told informant that

he has been very active in the promotion of fund raising

activities held anually in New York under the auspices

Poor Children of Italy". STEIN has bragged to

Informant that thre activity 1s most lucrative finan-

cially to himself and others. STEIN stated that also

involved with him in this promotion are WALTER WINCHE

and New York political boss CARMINE

Informant recalled that in late 1958 or early

1959 informant,

along with his wife, accompanied STEIN

to the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada.

He stated while

at the hotel he and his wife, as well as STEIN, had

everything on the house.

STEIN was given much

freedom

in the hotel and walked inside the pits without being

challenged.

Informant recalled that on one occasion DESI

ARNAZ Joined STEIN and himself in gambling at the crap

table at the Sands Casino.

At this time ARNAZ lost the

STEIN said,

"Don't feel bad DESI,

sum of $26, 000. He then went to the casino cashier's

get you even".

cage at the Sands and obtained, without a note or marker,

the sum of $5,000.

They thereafter went to the Tropicana

Casino and within fifteen minutes STEIN had won the sum

of $15,000 which he gave to ARNAZ and stated that this

was the last time he would do ARNAZ such a favor.

-3 -

DocId: 32322973 Page 4

---

## Page 5

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Aot of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

LA 137-2616

Informant recalled that during his association

with STEIN, STEIN introduced him to high ranking Teamster

officials - HAROLD GIBBONS RICHARD KAVNER and (FNU)

SANSOUCI (Phonetic) who according to informant, hold

STEIN in high regard.

He stated that these men

i retent this restaurant sale in taunt Angeles, Cal

area as does Teamster President JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA.

SANDS HOTEL, LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

During informant's association with NATE STEIN,

he was informed by STEIN that JOSEPH STACHER was the

real owner of the Sands Hotel, Las Vegas:

He also advised

that STACHER had interests in other un-named Las Vegas

hotels.

He was advised that the financial wizard for

STACHER in Los Angeles was MARVIN COLE.

He stated that

Mrs. COLE and Mrs. STACHER often come into the La Scala

Restaurant.

He stated that the owners of record of the

Sands Hotel who often visit the restaurant and are known

personally to him are CHARLES KANDEL, CARL COHEN, JACK

ENTRATTER, CHARLES TURNER, AARON WEISBERG, FRANK SINATRA

and Colonel JAKE FREEDMAN, now deceased.

that these men, and in particular CARL COHEN, are

frequently attempting to have him front a restaurant

for them in either Los Angeles,

He stated he has always refused

to do so.

STEIN told the informant that in the routine

operation of the casino at the Sands Hotel each individual

pit boss,

besides receiving his regular salary,

the sum of $55 per day under the table.

He stated that

only three men are permitted in the counting room who

were CARL COHEN,

CHARLES KANDEL and a third individual

who Informant did not recall but stated that it was not

JACK ENTRATTER Or CHARLES TURNER. STEIN told the infor

mant that tremendous amounts of money are taken

out

of gambling casinos in Las Vegas which funds are not

reported. He did not explain to the informant how this

- was done. Informant stated thattwo weeks prior, CHARLES

KANDEL was in Los Angeles and told the informant that

he was going to Miami, Florida for two weeks and while

in a man P3.

there was going to stay at the Fountainebleau Hotel.

- 4 -

doaas-ii

DocId: 32322973

Page 5

---

## Page 6

Released under the John F. Kennedy AsSasSination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Note).

DATE: 11-14-2017

LA 137-2616

BELDON

KATLEMAN

KATLEMAN Is known to the source personally

and frequently eats at the La Scala Restaurant.

Informant advised that KATLEMAN is the former owner of

the El Rancho Vegas which burned down.

KATLEMAN is

currently building another hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

KATLEMAN associates with prominent attorney SIDNe

KORSHAK and is seen regularly with him.

KATLEMAN

Left Los Angeles on 2/9/62 and sailed from New York

on 2/13/62 aboard the Ile de France for France (This

information has

been

substantiated through other

sources).

Informant advised that ten months prior he

was approached by KATLEMAN and Beverly Hills attorney

GREYSON BAUTZER and the following business

deal proposed:

These two men wanted the informant to assume

the ownership and to front for KATLEMAN in the operation

of Romanoff's Restaurant, Los Angeles. They advised they

intended to buy the restaurant and to use informant's

name as being the sole owner.

remodel the restaurant for him and the suggested price

for remodeling was $125,000.

He was told by them

that

he would be paid handsomely

for this operation and to

think it over.

He stated that they returned two weeks

later and he refused their offer on the grounds that he

was running a French restaurant himself and that he

would be competing with his own restaurant. He stated

that based on his refusal these men did not go into

further details concerning this operation.

On 2/28/62 informant was interviewed by SAs

JOHN ROBERT BARRON and TIMOTHY I. DONOVAN.

PRANKS MATRA Calif Monaco

In 1959 Informant advised he was contacted by

FRANK SINATRA's manager, HAND SINICOLA and offered by

SINICOLA to go into partnership with FRANK SINATRA in

the operation of a restaurant to be build and operated

as an exclusive restaurant in Beverly Hills, California.

According to SINICOLA this restaurant would be the most

plush restaurant in the country.

- 5 -

DocId: 32322973 Page 6

---

## Page 7

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Reeords Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107 Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

LA 137-2616

Informant stated he stimulated no interest

in this to SINICOLA but upon SINICOLA's insistence

he went to his office shortly thereafter and talked

long distance with FRANK SINATRA who at that time was

in Monte Carlo attending a celbration given by Prince

and Princess RAZIER.

During the conversation with

SINATRA he told SINATRA he would be interested in

the operation of such a

restaurant if the following

conditions would be met:

(1) That SINATRA close down his operation

of the VIlla Capri Restaurant, Los Angeles.

(2) That SINATRA's name in no way be

identified with the operation of this restaurant.

He stated that when these conditions were

presented to SINATRA he became extremely angry and

demanded to know why his name should not be used.

Informant told SINATRA that during the time he was working

for SINATRA at the Villa Capri Restaurant it was

obvious to him that the type of clientele drawn to that

restaurant was not desirable or good for business and

made specific mention of thewomen that frequented the

Villa Capri. Informant told SINATRA that he felt

if his name would be used in the new restaurant, that

this same type person would start coming to the

restaurant

and that the name and reputation of a first class

restaurant could not be maintained. He stated that

SINATRA did not agree to these terms and the deal was

closed. Shortly thereafter FRANK SINATRA opened

Puccinni's Restaurant and his manager, HANK SINICOLA,

set out in a planned effort to steal informant's help

from the La Scala Restaurant.

He stated they offered

them higher salaries in order to influence them.

Informant stated that one week prior to the opening

of the new restaurant, he fired all his help and told

them they could go 1f

they wanted to or stay with him

and he would rehire them..

He stated all his help

stayed with the exception of his maitre'a, MAT JORDAN,

who went to the new restaurant and operated the

restaurant for a short while for SINATRA.

He stated

that JORDAN did such a bad job on his own that two

to three months later he left and is now back at the

La Scala Restaurant.

m

-6 -

DooId: 32322973 Page 7

---

## Page 8

Released under the Joht I, Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Art 06 1995 111 15c siur fate).

DATE: 11414-2017

LA 137-2616

Informant stated that he mentioned to NATE

STEIN that he was not going into the above-described

deal with SINATRA and when STEIN heard this he told

him he was crazy and was passing up the opportunity

of a life time.: Informant recalled that when this

deal was presented to him by SINICOLA and SINATRA

that he was told money was no object and that he

could have any location

in Beverly Hills that he

desired for the construction of the new restaurant.

Regarding SINATRA, informant stated that

he was a very arrogant and domineering man and that

he usually had his way with anyone he dealt with.

He stated however, that on one occasion he observed

FRANK SINATRA after an appearance in Las Vegas,

in to Los Angeles late at night and go directly from

the airport to the La Scala Restaurant. He said on

this one occasion NATE STEIN was in the restaurant

at the time of SINATRA's arrival and STEIN upon seeing

SINATRA informed SINATRA to come outside that he

wanted to talk to him and pulled him by the arm.

Informant couldoverhear STEIN dressing SINATRA down.

Informant wanted to mention this only to signify

the overall importance that STEIN has with these

people in Las Vegas because SINATRA would not take

this from many people.

MISCELLANEOUS

, Informant advised that numerous individuals

that he considers are connected with the criminal

world frequent the La Scala Restaurant.

He says he

knows no specific information regarding these people

but considers

them to be involved in hoodlum operations.

They are: JOHN ROSELLI, JOHN DREW, MOE DALITZ, RAY

RYAN, JOSEPH FISCHETTI, SIDNEY KORSHAK, LOU LEDERER,

and MEYER LANSKY.

Informant stated that he would immediately

advise the Los Angeles Office when any of the above-

mentioned individuals came into his restaurant so that

Los Angeles would be aware of there being in this area.

He stated he would remain alert for any information

concerning deals that the above individuals were involved

in.

Efforts to develop this informant will continue and

the Bureau will be advised of informant's development.

-7-

danananas

DocId: 32322973

Page 8

---