Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: DL
To: HQ
Document date: 05/15/1961
Document type: PAPER-TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/1/2015

AGENCY:

FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-90021-10095

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER:

CR 62-9-12-225

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: DL

TO: HQ

TITLE:

DATE:

PAGES:

SUBJECTS :

05/15/1961

4

JOSEPH CAMPISI

DOCUMENT TYPE:

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS:

CURRENT STATUS :

DATE OF LAST REVIEW:

Redact

01/02/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS :

v9.1

DocId: 32323897

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14

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• Da.

FBI

Transmit the following in -

Date:

5/15/61

PLAIN TEXT

(Type in plain text or code)

Via

AIRTEL

• (Priority or Method of Mailing)

/ TO

TRON

SUBJECT

DIRECTOR, FBI (62-9-12)

SAC, DALLAS (94- 55A-SUB)

CRIMINAL

INTELLIGENCE PROGRAN

WEEKLY

SUMMARY

Re Dallas airtel 5/8/61.

Re: JOSEPH FRANCIS CIVELLO, aka.

AB (DI. 92-36; DL 162-1)

On 5/14/61, ASAC DAVID W. BREEN talked with

PCI JOHN MICHAEL GRIZZAFFI and he related the following:

He pointed out that JOE CIVELLO is one of the smartest

"Dagos" in Dallas and he is highly respected and regarded

among the Italian element and it will be very anlikely

that the FBI would find anyone who would have anything

to say concerning CIVELLO. He pointed out CIVELLO.

apparently has untold resources and that he is most

anxious and willing to underwrite any enterprise so

long as he can be assured of &

• ten percent profit on

his investment.

CIVELLO reportedly complains that he

is hurting financially because the trial concerning the

Apalachin meeting cost him between $35, 000 and $50,000.

Bhi Bureau

1 - Dallas

1 - Dallas

- Dallas

1

1

1

1

• Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

Dallas

1

Dallas

1 -

Dallas

(92-249)

(31-8148)

(88-3353)

(92-322)

(92-36)

(94-10)

(5-0)

(162÷18

(92-268)

94- 55A - SUB)

REG- 96

62=9-12-2951

• MAY 16/1961

RMB/11

(13)

NiCK

• pgs.! → 4

copied for HSCA

2/22|78 CRH

Approved:

7 MAY 2 2 1961

A *

Special Agent in Charge

Sent _

Per

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DI.

94- 55A-SUB

& loud mouth "Dago"

who talks too nuch at times and who could

be used ty backst up agalost the wall to force cooperation.

Pc. stated

FRANK TORTORIELLO bears considerable

watching

as he appears to be loaded with money, is very

ClOSe tO JOE CIVELLO

and nakes

frequent and numerous trips

to Chicago (probably runner).

PCI has

stated that CIVELLO

has been backing the

Pedigo's Drive-In Grocery, approximately

6 to 7 throughout Dallas.

He is

presently financing the

construction of a big pedigo Mrive-In Grocery at the inter

section of Fitzhugh and

PCI stated

that approximately & 0r 4

months ago he

looking for a drive-in grocery hinself and had made

prelimiday

negotiationg with the Metager Dairy people to

assist in a financing of & new location. While he was

negotiating for this

new location he was contacted by JOE

CIVELLO whon he knew of previously, but did not know personally.

CIVELLO told him that he had heard

that he was interested in

going into the drive-in grocery business and that he should

deal with CIVELLO AS CIVELLO could finance everything and

any tring he

needed.

As a result of this contact with CIVELLO

he net CIVELLO at CIVELLO's instructions each day at approxi-

mately 9 AM at the "pump"

(Gulf Station on Ross) and they

would ride around town looking for new locations.

This went

on for approximately l, weeks.

PCI stated that a

decision

was made for him

to open up & drive-in grocery at the inter.

section of Inwood and Lennon Avenue.

CIVELLO would put up

$90,000 to lease

the property and PCI would have to pay

$400 & month rent. for

the property over & 5 yeaz

period

with a 5 year option for renewal.

PCI stated that CIVELLO

is extrenely cagey and non-cornital and when he came to draw

up the contract PCI was concerned as CIVELLO's name did not

appear anywhere in the transaction. He inquired of CIVELLO

to where he would stand if the thing fell through and

CIVELLO told him that he would have no

worry that he, CIVELLO,

would take care of everything for him.

PCI stated that

CIVELLO wants a minimun of 10% profit fron all investments of

this type he undertakes.

Before the contract was fully

negotiated there was some difficulty in the actual obtaining

of the property,

therefore, PCI was able to get out of

the agreement.

He was having considerable trouble by his

wife's pressure being brought on hin not to negotiate with

CIVELLO and this was & graceful way for himnot to deal with

CIVELLO.

PCI stated that PalE MERRay, who operates the

Ross Drive-In on

Lemmon, was

completely financed by civilio.

- 3-

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DL 94- 55A- SUB

He stated INTERRANTE's place is known by the Itallan element

to handle anything hot regardless of what it may be.

It will

either be handled at that location or arrangements will be

made for delivery to a specific place.

PCI stated that

approxinately 2 weeks ago he received

a call from PETE

INTERRANTE inquiring if informant was interested in a large

load of hot "Mexican gold". PCI stated he would not deal

with INTERRANtE on any matters and told hin be could not

handle the hot gold.

At the point PCI stated the only thing

he would buy would be tires and

then that would only be a

few for his own personal car..

PCI stated that PHI

is & chief in the numbers

racket at the present

time 14

PCI stated that JOE and SAM CAMPISI

at the Egyptian

Lounge have excellent contates fa tre prenttso in Dallas and

can learn anything they need to know.

They also have close

contacts in the telephone company and follow through on any

installations made.

PCI mentioned that JOE CAMPISI used to

be a pimp and still does & little pimping of high class

stuff out of the restaurant.

He also stated JOE CAMPISI

has an extrenely large sum of money staghed away and that

he is & heavy gambler and thinks nothing of dropping two,

three or four grand. JOE CAMPISI iS Close with W. O.

BANKSTON and actually considers

•BANKSTONzA god

that W. O, could actually lead JOE CAMPISI in any direction

necessary

On 5/10/61, the Chieago Office advised that CIVELLO

was leaving Chicago that date and would arrive in Dallas on

5/11/61.

CIVELLO was observed by Bureau

i agents as he deboarded

the train from Chicago with his wife and proceeded directly

to his residence.

On 5/10/61, PCI WYNNE H. MILLER advised Bureau

Agents that he operates a

service

station near CIVELLO'S

residence and has been doing business with CIVELLO and

CIVELLO's brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. ROSS4I540d

for approximately 5 years.

he said CIVELLO also does business

with a station operated by b BulLEr at 3040W. Mockingbire

MILLER recalled that on several occasions during his

acquaintance with CIVELLO, the subject came into MILLER's

station accompanied by an

Italian looking individual who

has given the impression he was from New York. He described

-4=

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