In 1921, when JACK RUBENSTEIN was only ten years old, he became a member of the Dave "Yiddles" Miller gang, led by David Miller, a Capone-connected prizefight referee and bookie, who survived an encounter with Dion O'Banion, Chicago's top Irish hoodlum and arch-rival of Al Capone. [John Kobler, Capone, Putnams, N.Y. 1971 p80] There was a reference to a Chicago gangland figure named "Dave Miller" in the Kefauver Hearings on Interstate Organized Crime, although David Miller is a very common name. [U.S. Cong. Senate Special Committee to Invest. Organized Crime in Interstate Comm.] By the time he was 11, JACK RUBENSTEIN scalped tickets at sporting events on behalf of David Miller. In 1922 JACK RUBENSTEIN was referred to the Jewish Social Services Bureau because of his "disregard for other people's property" and an "interest in street gangs. [WCR pgs. 779-786] In 1923, when JACK RUBENSTEIN was 12, the court ordered the Jewish Welfare Bureau to place him in a foster home outside of Chicago. By 1924 JACK RUBENSTEIN was back in Chicago where he scalped tickets and made book. JACK RUBENSTEIN assaulted a police officer during an altercation about ticket scalping. Hyman Rubenstein had the charges dropped. Because of his aggressiveness, JACK RUBENSTEIN earned the nickname "Sparky."

In 1926 JACK RUBENSTEIN became a messenger for the Capone gang. Barney Ross, who had also made the transition from the Miller gang to the Capone mob, told the FBI: "When I began my prize fighting career in 1926, back in the 24th Ward, JACK RUBENSTEIN and I ran errands for Capone." Barney Ross said that Al Capone had sponsored him, and that Ralph and Matty Capone, along with Frank Nitty, were all close followers of his boxing career. [WCE 1288; WC ltr. Rankin to Hoover 6.64] During this time Al Capone collected dozens of errand boys. Charles Gioe, an associate of Johnny Rosselli, was described by the Kefauver Committee in 1950 as having once been a "messenger boy" for Al Capone. [Kefauver Hearings p5, p356 as cited by P.D. Scott] Two of RUBENSTEIN'S associates, David Yaras (born November 7, 1912; died January 1974), and Lenny Patrick, were executioners for the Capone mob. [HSCA V9 paragraph 1195; Eva Rubenstein Grant WC Test.] David Yaras began as a pinball and slot machine concessionaire under Al Capone. Robert F. Kennedy called him "a notorious Chicago racketeer." [Moldea, Hoffa Wars, p124] JACK RUBENSTEIN joined the Capone gang shortly after Al Capone inherited Chicago gangland leadership from Johnny Torrio. By 1926 the Capone family, along with Johnny Rosselli, Sam Giancana, Tony Accardo, Jake Guzik and other hoodlums had amassed hundreds of millions of dollars from bootlegging, gambling and prostitution. From 1926 to 1929 JACK RUBENSTEIN worked for the Capone mob.

Many documents linked JACK RUBENSTEIN to Al Capone and the mafia. When the FBI conducted its investigation into JACK RUBENSTEIN'S background in 1964, it interviewed James Allegretti, described as "the top local organized crime figure in Chicago." James Allegretti admitted he "may have seen RUBY back in the Al Capone days..." but became agitated when the FBI pressed the issue: "I told you, he was not connected, he was not mobbed-up!" Matty Brescia was also questioned by the FBI about RUBY. The partner of Matty Brescia, Lew Farrell, was described as being a "Top Hoodlum" from Chicago. Lew Farrell was on the fringes of the Al Capone mob and had moved into labor racketeering, where he maintained a close association with James Hoffa. [FBI #DL 44-1639 11.25.63 Chicago; FBI DL-44-1639-6266] In 1978 Matty Brescia was mentioned during the HSCA testimony of RUBY associate Lewis J. McWillie. [HSCA V5 pgs 28, 87]

Eva Rubenstein Grant, JACK RUBENSTEIN's sister, supplied evidence that linked JACK RUBENSTEIN to the Al Capone mob, when she admitted this to a friend: "Jack and I were connected with the Capone mob in Chicago." This information came to light on November 13, 1962, when the sister of a friend of Eva Rubenstein named Susan Brown, telephoned the FBI Dallas office and reported that her sister had told her that Eva Rubenstein had said this. In 1964 the Warren Commission interviewed Susan Brown and her sister. Both of them maintained their recollection of the conversation. The Warren Commission had its representative inform Eva Rubenstein about the accusations of the Brown sisters. Eva Rubenstein called the Brown sisters and confronted them with their charges. This frightened the Brown sisters and they complained to the FBI.

The FBI burned the Brown sisters because they supplied the Bureau with information which contradicted the FBI's line that Ruby was not a member of organized crime. Even in 1963, J. Edgar Hoover maintained that organized crime, or the mafia, did not exist, so how could Ruby have been a member or associate? The Brown sisters learned that FBI and the Warren Commission were intent on ignoring RUBY'S long term membership in the mafia and anyone who got in their way would be sacrificed. [FBI 44-29016-2074 10.15.64]

RUBY explained to the Warren Commission the reason he was acquainted with Chicago's top hoodlums at an early age was because of ticket scalping: "When you live in the city of Chicago and you are in the livelihood of selling tickets to sporting events, your lucrative customers are some of these people...you may know them as you get acquainted with them at the sporting events or the ball park or prizefights." [RUBY WC Test.]

Al Capone and Jack Ruby were associated with the syndicate, which was an equal opportunity criminal cartel. The syndicate began circa 1928 when the mafia began admitting Jews as associate members. Legend has it that the syndicate came into existence during a meeting between Al Capone and Meyer Lansky. Al Capone's cousin, "Lucky" Luciano brought the two gangsters together at a meeting of crime families in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and suggested that they discuss a merger between the Jewish and Italian underworld. [Hank Messick, Lansky, G.P. Putnam - N.Y. 1971; Dennis Eisenberg, Uri Dan, Eli Landau Meyer Lansky, Mogul of the Mob Paddington Press, N.Y. 1979] The Jewish and Italian gangsters formed the most powerful criminal organization in the world.

By 1930 gangland activity in Chicago began to decline. In 1932 Al Capone began serving a sentence for income tax evasion and "Lucky" Luciano took over his position. In 1933 President Franklin D. Roosevelt ended prohibition. "Lucky" Luciano began to import narcotics to make up for the loss of revenue due to the repeal of prohibition. In 1936, when "Lucky" Luciano went to prison, Joe Adonis was appointed boss of bosses. Joe Adonis put out the word to the families to co-operate with Meyer Lansky, because Meyer Lansky had promised to get "Lucky" Luciano out of prison. [McCoy, Alfred, The Politics of H in SE Asia, Harper Row, N.Y. 1972 pgs. 17-27] Meyer Lansky received a share of gambling revenue in Louisiana. Jake Lansky was listed as an officer in an outfit controlling slot machines. Meyer Lansky worked with CARLOS MARCELLO.

JACK RUBENSTEIN and his sister, Eva Rubenstein, were involved in illegal gambling, which was controlled by the syndicate. In 1934 they moved to San Francisco where they worked for Frankie Goldstein. [WCE 2328] In 1961 a confidential informant told the FBI that Frankie Goldstein was a bookmaker. The FBI opened a case on him, and investigation revealed he operated a local sporting book for many years, and he frequented the Ambassador Health Club. Information on this club was withheld by the FBI. In 1962 the FBI interviewed Frankie Goldstein's cousin, Anthony Hatsis, the owner of a Salt Lake City nightclub. Anthony Hatsis told them that Frankie Goldstein inquired as to the possibility of setting-up a bookmaking operation in Utah. The FBI tapped the business telephone of Frankie Goldstein. In 1964 Frankie Goldstein told the FBI that JACK RUBENSTEIN and Eva Rubenstein sold newspaper subscriptions for him from 1933 to 1939. Frankie Goldstein insisted that "JACK RUBENSTEIN had no association with hoodlums or with the underworld." In 1977 this researcher called Frank Goldstein and asked him about RUBY'S mob-connections: "The kid worked for me. I don't know any of these names you mention. How'd you got this information?"[FBI DC-44-1639-4707 ,4493; FBI SF 44-194; FBI DL-44-1639-CMS-Cover page, I, J.]

RUBY told the Warren Commission: "I have never been a bookmaker." His association with Frankie Goldstein told another story.

During JACK RUBENSTEIN'S six year stay in California he was also employed by Eugene Shriber, a gambler who worked under "Bones" Remer. "Bones" Remer was the owner of record of the Cal Neva Lounge in Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The Cal Neva Lounge was linked to the syndicate by numerous sources, including the Kefauver Committee. Eugene Shriber, who came to California from Chicago in 1933, managed a San Francisco card room for "Bones" Remer and employed JACK RUBENSTEIN and Eva Rubenstein as dealers. [FBI DL-44-1639-4094, 4110; WCD CD360 p115 interview with George T. Davis]

JACK RUBENSTEIN, Frankie Goldstein, "Bones" Remer, and Eugene Shriber worked under mob boss Johnny Rosselli, who controlled bookmaking in California at this time. Johnny Rosselli came to California in 1933, the same year that JACK RUBENSTEIN did. By 1936 Johnny Rosselli controlled gambling on the West Coast. JACK RUBENSTEIN sold tip sheets at Santa Anita raceway. Johnny Rosselli had risen to gangland prominence in the mid-1930's by taking over the wire service at Santa Anita. [Kefauver Hearings Part 5 p399-400; WCR p786] In 1944 Johnny Rosselli was convicted of labor extortion through a union whose organizers included JACK RUBENSTEIN'S brother-in-law. [WC H V20 p18-cited by Scott] In 1939, JACK RUBENSTEIN, 28, left California for Chicago.

When JACK RUBENSTEIN returned to Chicago in 1939 he became a labor racketeer. Johnny Rosselli had proven that labor unions could provide a steady source of revenue. JACK RUBENSTEIN contacted a friend from the Capone gang, Paul J. Dorfman (born May 22, 1901; died April 1971). The McClellan committee reported: "Paul Dorfman's connections with members of the old Capone mob are a matter of record." [McClellan Committee, Interim Report p167; FBI CG 44-645 12/18/63 Chicago; WCE 1236, 1293; FBI 44-24016-8. 62-109060-1528] Paul Dorfman gave JACK RUBENSTEIN a job in the Chicago Waste Handler's Union. Several years later Chicago private detective Bob Mullenix conducted an investigation concerning Paul Dorfman and JACK RUBENSTEIN'S entrance into the Waste Handler's Union. The FBI was unable to question Bob Mullenix in 1964. He was killed in an automobile accident in 1962. [FBI 44-24016-742] Mullenix's files were sent to his brother. [FBI 44-24016-606]

Victor Riesel wrote that Paul Dorfman made John Martin President of the Waste Handler Union. JACK RUBENSTEIN was Secretary-Treasurer. [Dallas Morn. News 11.30.63, Victor Riesel, "RUBY Linked to Racket."] Victor Riesel was a syndicated labor columnist, blinded by mob. RUBY had Riesel's telephone number in his address book. [FBI 44-1639-3123] Leon Cook, 27, the Jewish attorney who had originally formed the union, held no office. Leon Cooke only served as an advisor. In late 1939 Leon Cooke told the FBI that he had formed a rival union affiliated with the CIO and had written several letters to junk dealers about this, which he signed "Cook." John Martin had learned of these letters. [FBI DL-44-1639 F-Cover page] On December 8, 1939, John Martin shot Leon Cooke in the back. Before he died, Leon Cooke described what occurred to Chicago Police: "I went to see Martin to protest his conduct of the union. While we were scuffling he grabbed a gun. I told him he was crazy and started to leave. He fired three times. Two bullets hit my overcoat, which was over my arm. The other hit me in the back. I staggered into the hall and took a cab to the hospital." Physicians there extracted one bullet from the side of Leon Cooke and told him he would probably recover. [Chicago Tribune 12.9.39 p.l] Cooke died.

After the shooting, John Martin disappeared down the rear fire-escape with the only witness, his secretary. John Martin was under indictment for having conspired with a well known Chicago hoodlum to withhold income tax information from the Internal Revenue Service in the Gambrinus Drawing Company matter. The States Attorney Office was investigating John Martin. It believed that the Waste Handler's Union was a shakedown racket and that JACK RUBENSTEIN was a thug who would intimidate prospective members into joining the union at gunpoint. After the shooting, a member of the State Attorney's office confiscated the union's charter and records, then issued the following statement: "We are looking into the union's finances. I am trying to find out where $1,400 in dues went." When the States Attorney's investigators discovered that Carlos Fontana, a notorious West Side hoodlum, worked for the union, its investigators questioned JACK RUBENSTEIN. He told them: "I had no idea he was a hoodlum."

JACK RUBENSTEIN was questioned about Leon Cooke's murder: "During our conversation with JACK RUBENSTEIN, who is Secretary Treasurer of the Scrap Iron & Junk Handlers Union, he stated that he had been out all day with the President John Martin collecting membership dues and that they entered the office about 3:00 p.m. On their arrival there they found present Gladys Welch, Vice President of the Union, Joseph Medill, employee of Leon Cooke, and Leon Cooke. He remained in the office until about 3:20 p.m. and then left in the company of Medill to go to the northwest side for the purpose of doing some organizational work. The first he knew about the shooting was at 3:30 p.m. when he telephoned his office...Leon Cooke formerly was an organizer for the Junk Handler's Union, and upon his leaving the Union his office of Secretary-Treasurer was taken over by JACK RUBENSTEIN." [Chicago PD Report Central Complaint Room No. 55513]

One day after the shooting John Martin and his secretary turned themselves in. JACK RUBENSTEIN was with them and told the press that Martin had shot Leon Cooke in self-defense. At the trial of John Martin an assistant state's attorney informed the judge that the State had obtained no evidence beyond that presented to a coroner's jury, which had absolved John Martin of blame. John Martin's story at the inquest was that Leon Cooke drew a gun on him and struck him in the face and when he struggled for possession of the weapon, it went off. The police never found any evidence to corroborate John Martin's story that the gun belonged to Leon Cooke. John Martin was acquitted of murder. He left the union. A few months later, JACK RUBENSTEIN left. He adopted the middle name of "Leon" around this time, allegedly to honor his dead friend. RUBY told the Warren Commission: "I am not a gangster. I have never used a goon squad for union activities."

Paul Dorfman formed a new local and began to dominate it. He worked closely with Anthony Accardo, a leader of the Chicago mob since the death of Al Capone. On July 28, 1948, when millionaire industrialist Nathan "Natty" Gumbin was shot-gunned to death by two gunmen firing from a moving car, Paul Dorfman was called in for questioning. The Chicago Police stated that the slaying of Nathan Gumbin was linked to the killing of Charles Crane, another industrialist who had negotiated with the Waste Handlers Union. The Intelligence Unit of the Chicago Police Department reported that "Natty" Gumbin and Charles Crane, along with about 100 waste and rag dealers, were allegedly paying monthly installments to a person named "Dorfman," Secretary of the Waste Handlers Union, to guarantee no labor troubles. [FBI 44-24016-358] Years later the Intelligence Unit learned that during a meeting of top syndicate members in Miami in 1953, an unknown person mentioned the execution of "Natty" Gumbin, and the fact that he refused to take part in a deal. The FBI reported: "Gumbin forced to make monthly payments to laborites for labor peace in his business. Apparent guarantee of no labor problems if monthly payments made. Plant employees under two separate unions, one was Waste Material Handlers Union, Paul Dorfman, Secretary-Treasurer. The other was Scrap Iron and Junk Handlers Union founded by Leon Cooke in 1937. Cooke was slain in 1939. Paul Dorfman, upon learning of death of Gumbin, cut short vacation to avail himself for questioning. Had his union offer $1,000 reward for information leading to solution of murder." The murder of "Natty" Gumbin remained unsolved.

In 1949 Paul Dorfman joined with Jimmy Hoffa in a complex conspiracy to give a million dollars worth of Teamster Pension Fund business to an insurance company owned by Paul Dorfman's son, Allen Dorfman. [New York Herald Tribune 8.1.57 pg.1; New York Mirror 8.30.57- Riesel] Paul Dorfman continued to run the Waste Handlers Union until 1957, when he was expelled by the National Office of the AFL-CIO. [NYT 8.l.57 - Mafia Associate Ousted] The AFL-CIO tolerated Paul Dorfman for more than a decade, but Paul Dorfman's pension fund scheme brought him to the attention of the McClellan Committee, which focused on Jimmy Hoffa and the men around him. Robert F. Kennedy, an attorney for the McClellan Committee, wrote: "Everywhere Hoffa goes Paul Dorfman is close by." [Robert F. Kennedy, The Enemy Within, Harper Bros. 1960 NY] Paul Dorfman was forced into semi-retirement.

Allen Dorfman became Jimmy Hoffa's "rabbi." [NYT 8.24.67p6] When Jimmy Hoffa was indicted by a Nashville Grand Jury, Allen Dorfman and Hoffa-thug Robert "Barney" Baker helped him earn an acquittal. In early 1963 Allen Dorfman was indicted for jury-tampering in this case. The star witness for the United States Government was Edward Partin. [Sheridan, Walter, The Fall and Rise of Jimmy Hoffa, Saturday Review Press 1972; Allen Dorfman and the Teamsters, Prod. Wash. D.C.] In 1964 Allen Dorfman was indicted in Chicago on charges related to his management of Teamster Funds.

By 1967 Allen Dorfman was coordinator of the Teamster Union Pension Fund following the incarceration of Jimmy Hoffa. In 1969 Allen Dorfman was indicted by a Grand Jury in New York City. The chief witness for the United States Government in this case was also a witness against Meyer Lansky. [PROD, The Teamster Connection, bio. of Allen M. Dorfman; Overdrive, Crimes Web of Pension Fund Fraud; USDC-SDNY 66 CR. 732 - Memo From Deputy Chief U.S. Probation Office - Horvath - redirect 10433, 1333, ltr. from Lou Poller 5.3O.71] In another case, Allen Dorfman and co-defendants were acquitted after a key government witness was killed in his office by shotgun blasts fired by gunmen wearing ski masks. [Newsweek, 11.24.75 p9l] Allen Dorfman was convicted and sent to prison in 1972 for having taken a $55,000 kickback to arrange a loan from the Teamster's Union Pension Fund. In 1979, Gerald Denono, a mafia hit man under federal protective custody, gave a diary to the FBI that he said he stole from Dr. Canale, a New Orleans physician linked to CARLOS MARCELLO. The entry dated January 5, 1973, read: "Fitz OK Al Dorfman chi ok.--Tony Pro Jersey ok ($500,---to C.C. = nix OK." This signified that a payment was made to NIXON through Charles Colson which had been okayed by Teamsters Allen Dorfman, Tony Provenzano and Frank Fitzsimmons. [NY Post 11.16.79] The name of Allen Dorfman surfaced in an off-shoot of the FBI's ABSCAM investigation. Allen Dorfman was involved in an attempt to bribe Senator Howard W. Cannon, (Dem.- Nevada) to sponsor favorable legislation. These charges were never proven because Allen Dorfman was gunned down gang-land style in Chicago.

After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Warren Commission received several reports that indicated an on-going relationship between RUBY and the Dorfmans. Justice Department investigator Walter Sheridan received information that RUBY had recently received money from one of the Dorfmans. Assistant United States Attorney Robert D. Peloquin was assigned to investigate the matter. Robert D. Peloquin, who at the time was part of United States Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy's "Get Hoffa Squad," was called off the case by his boss, Herbert J. Miller. [FBI 44-24016-112,1247; 62-109060-1528] Herbert J. Miller informed Robert Peloquin that he had contacted the source of the information concerning RUBY and the Dorfmans, and the source had refused to substantiate the information. Herbert J. Miller ordered "no further inquiry in this matter" because "the story would give Hoffa an opportunity to criticize the Justice Department for trying to tie Hoffa in with President Kennedy's murder." J. Edgar Hoover agreed: "I do wish Justice Department would mind it's own business." [FBI DC-44-1639 BL-E-cover pg; FBI CG 44-645- DWS: pl6, cover page B]

On November 25, 1963, an individual who called himself "Mr. Miller" contacted the FBI and told the Bureau he was "a close friend of JACK RUBY." In addition, he identified Clint Murchison and Johnny Webb as being "friends of RUBY." When J. Edgar Hoover saw this anonymous report (the name Miller and the address given by the informant were determined to be fictitious) he ordered the Bureau to "Press vigorously. I would surmise it is Clint Murchison, Jr., not Sr. I think we should talk to Clint Murchison, Jr." [FBI 44-24016-197, 198; 62-109060-363; Wash. Post 2.14.64; Drew Pearson D13; FBI Memo 1.22.64 NR 2.6.64; FBI Memo and ltr. to WC 1.3l64 NR 2.6.64] J. Edgar Hoover was close to the Murchison family and vacationed almost annually at their Del Charro Hotel, situated near the Murchison's Del Mar racetrack. [Messick, Hank, John Edgar Hoover, McKay , NY, 1972.] Clint Murchison Jr. told the FBI he never heard of RUBY or OSWALD before the events of November 1963. Tommy Webb told the FBI the same. In 1977 Tommy Webb signed an affidavit in which he admitted his association with Clint Murchison Jr. and Allen Dorfman. [Affidavit of Thomas Dougherty Webb Jr. 10.21.77] Edward Partin told Walter Sheridan that Clint Murchison Jr. was a "great benefactor" of Jimmy Hoffa's.

On November 27, 1963, Daniel Adario, Federal Bureau of Narcotics, Philadelphia, advised FBI S.A. Robert L. Tagg, Newark, that he had received information from a confidential informant that "(FNU) Cohen, aka, 'Pigface' operator of used car lots, and brother of Raymond Cohen, a former official of the Teamster's Union, Philadelphia, had told the informant of Daniel Adario that he was very friendly with JACK LEON RUBY and knows RUBY from Chicago. Cohen advised informant RUBY 'tied up with rackets in Chicago.'" Raymond Cohn was a close associate of James R. Hoffa. [FBI 44-24016-1069371] On June 8, 1965, the FBI reported: "Philadelphia Office has reviewed Xerox copies of anonymous letters naming RAYMOND COHEN as having information regarding assassination of President Kennedy, and Philadelphia has no information as to who might have written these letters. It is opinion of Philadelphia, also, that no useful purpose or productive information would be obtained through an interview with Raymound Cohen, former Secretary-Treasurer of Teamsters Local 107, Philadelphia. Cohen is presently serving a one to two year prison term for defrauding the Local, and has served six months of this sentence. There was much factional fighting in Local 107, which eventually deposed Cohen and any number of dissident teamsters on the opposite side to Cohen could have written the letters attempting to implicate Cohen." [FBI 157-916-319 Phil. 6.8.65] Arlen Spector successfully prosecuted Raymond Cohen. The FBI reported: "Because of this success Attorney General Kennedy offered Spector a job on the Justice Department Staff to assist in the prosecution of James Hoffa and other Teamster officials. Spector declined because the local case against Cohen had been appealed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, and he wished to see it through. That case was argued in September and the court's ruling is awaited." [FDBI CIA 62-109060-61 1.9.64. Phil.]

On November 25, 1963, the Houston FBI Office received information from Al Bright, an ex-felon of Corpus Christi, Texas, to the effect that RUBY was the payoff man for the Dallas Police Department, and whenever liquor and gambling raids were to be made on the Dallas underworld, RUBY was always contacted first by some unknown person from the Dallas Police Department. Al Bright obtained this information from Roy William Pike, who had once served an a bookkeeper for RUBY, and was one of 12 persons known to have been in telephone contact with RUBY just before the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Roy William Pike was arrested for rape in 1943. Roy William Pike told Al Bright: "I think I spoke with RUBY about his relationship with Hoffa." The FBI interviewed Roy William Pike, who denied having said any of this. J. Edgar Hoover confused the report of Al Bright with that of Roy William Pike, and noted: "Pike was interviewed in connection with the case on November 25, 1963, at which time he alleged that RUBY was friendly with James Hoffa and the syndicate and was a pay-off man of the Dallas Police Department." [FBI 44-24016-1196; FBI report filed 11.25.63 Corpus Christi; FBI #110-44-939 pgs.329, 530, 531, 532]

In 1941 JACK RUBENSTEIN distributed punch board gambling devices throughout the United States while serving as a courier for the syndicate. During this period he and his associates disrupted pro-Nazi German-American Bund rallies. [WCR 779-806] In September 1941 JACK RUBENSTEIN was drafted. JACK RUBENSTEIN never saw any action, and spent his military career in the United States. One of JACK RUBENSTEIN'S army buddies, Hersey Colvin, was employed by a Chicago hoodlum when the FBI questioned him in late November 1963. [WCE 1201] He told the FBI that RUBY was not connected to organized crime. Another of JACK RUBENSTEIN'S army buddies, Urban Roschek, told the FBI that JACK RUBENSTEIN had offered him a job picking up numbers in Chicago. [FBI 44-1639-54444]

In February 1946 JACK RUBENSTEIN was discharged from the Army. He returned to Chicago where he lived with Hyman Rubenstein in the Congress Hotel. JACK RUBENSTEIN frequented the H & H Restaurant, a hang-out for bookmakers, gamblers and hoodlums. It's proprietor, Maishi Baer, got very upset when the FBI questioned him in 1964. He told the FBI that he "didn't want to get involved" then tried to unsuccessfully reach his attorney. [FBI 44-24016-275]

While JACK RUBENSTEIN was in the service, his sister Eva Rubenstein Grant moved to Dallas where she became associated with Paul Roland Jones. In 1930 Paul Roland Jones was arrested on a bootlegging charge in Kansas. In 1931 he began serving a life sentence in Lansing, Kansas, for the first degree murder of a government witness. On December 31, 1938, his life term was commuted by Kansas Governor Ratner to 20 years, and he was pardoned on July 8, 1940. Throughout the early 1940's, the offenses of Paul Roland Jones ranged from Vagrancy to OPA Violations. He was arrested in Dunkirk, N.Y. in 1944 for Grand Larceny, but no disposition of the case was shown in the records. He was later charged with swindling in Dallas, but the disposition of that case was also not shown. During the war, Paul Roland Jones and Eva Rubenstein opened up new territory for the mob. [HSCA V9 p986] Paul Roland Jones admitted that he had started gambling operations in Dallas in 1942 on behalf of Al Capone's cousins, the Fischetti brothers. [FBI LHM, Charlotte, North Carolina 6.29.64 copies destroyed 1.21.73]

Paul Roland Jones relied on bribery to keep the syndicate's gambling operations from being closed down. Paul Roland Jones had the Sheriff Smoot Schmid and various members of the Dallas Police Department "on the pad" for at least five years. Eva Rubenstein, who had purchased a building in Dallas and was opening a nightclub, introduced JACK RUBENSTEIN to Paul Roland Jones. Paul Roland Jones recalled this meeting: "It was in 1946, at the Congress Hotel in Chicago. I came up from Dallas to discuss business with Paul Labriola and Jimmy Weinberg. JACK RUBY'S sister arranged the meeting." Paul Roland Jones convinced RUBY to move to Dallas and manage a gambling joint there on behalf of the Chicago syndicate. There was one obstacle that had to be overcome: Steven Guthrie, the newly elected sheriff, who had come into office on a reform ticket had to go on the pad.

Four months after Sheriff Steven Guthrie took office (October 1946), Paul Roland Jones called Dallas Police Detective George Butler and asked him to arrange a meeting with Sheriff Guthrie. Sheriff Guthrie and Detective George Butler made recordings of their meeting with Paul Roland Jones. Sheriff Guthrie: "Shortly after my election, Jones contacted me and asked if I wanted to make some big money. At the time gambling, prostitution were wide-open in Dallas, and there were three gangland murders each month. I knew the syndicate had moved in because there were always at least 25 Chicago thugs in town. I was determined to get them." [WCE 1251] Sheriff Guthrie installed a hidden movie camera and photographed Paul Roland Jones entering and leaving the meeting. Paul Roland Jones reported his apparent success to Anthony Accardo, who sent Paul "Needlenose" Labriola and (FNU) Weinberg to Dallas. Paul Roland Jones introduced Sheriff Guthrie to Pat Manno, a friend of Anthony Accardo. On November 14, 1946, Paul Roland Jones called Detective George Butler and told him he was going to Chicago, where the syndicate was meeting for the purpose of formulating plans for moving into gambling activities in Dallas. In December 1946, Detective George Butler visited Paul Roland Jones and introduced two men identified as Murray Humphreys and Jake Guzik, both Capone-gang members.

In 1964 Sheriff Steve Guthrie told the FBI: "JACK RUBY was a small peanut with this group that tried to bribe me. His name came up on numerous occasions as being the person who would take over a fabulous restaurant and turn it into a posh gambling joint." Jack Wilner, a crime reporter for The Chicago Daily News stated that RUBY was involved in an effort to take over gambling in the Texas area at this time. [HSCA V19 par. 1131] Another reporter for the Chicago Daily News stated that Detective George Butler told him RUBY was involved in an attempt to bribe Sheriff Guthrie.

The HSCA obtained the original recordings of the Jones-Guthrie-Butler meetings. The original recordings were of such poor quality it was impossible for the Committee to determine if JACK RUBENSTEIN'S name came up. Two recordings were missing. The HSCA was unable to interview former Sheriff Steven Guthrie. Just before Christmas, 1946, Paul Roland Jones and his associate, Jack Nappi, were indicted on Bribery charges. Jack Nappi was related to Frank Nitti, Al Capone's enforcer. In early 1947 Paul Roland Jones was convicted on the bribery charge, then released on appeal bond.

In October 1947, Homer R. Padgett, a former manager of Eva Rubenstein's Singapore Club, told Detective Butler Eva Rubenstein had him beaten him when he tried to overhear one of her conversations. JACK RUBENSTEIN called Homer R. Padgett a stool pigeon. Detective George Butler investigated the Singapore Club and examined its toll records. [HSCA V9 para. 1131] The HSCA questioned Eva Rubenstein about the allegations of Homer R. Padgett. She recalled that when her club first opened, two Dallas Police Department officers asked her questions about having known Al Capone and about gangsters from Chicago who visited her club. When Detective George Butler was questioned by the HSCA he told them that "From 1947 to 1948 some members of the Capone organization were trying to move gambling into Dallas. I had a snitch in the outfit, Paul Roland Jones, who told me the Capone outfit considered RUBY too erratic for them."

Detective George Butler told the HSCA that Paul Roland Jones was a snitch. If so, why did he do time?

Meyer Lansky, as he had promised, secured the release of "Lucky" Luciano from prison by collaborating with Charles Siragusa and the OSS to stop Axis sabotage in America's sea ports during World War II. This was OPERATION UNDERWORLD. "Lucky" Luciano was released from prison in 1946 and immediately deported to Italy. "Lucky" Luciano charged Meyer Lansky with the responsibility for managing his financial empire. Meyer Lansky played a key role in organizing the heroin syndicate of "Lucky" Luciano. The relationship of Meyer Lansky with the TRAFFICANTE family was of particular importance. In 1947 Meyer Lansky and "Lucky" Luciano had a meeting in Cuba about expanding the mob's heroin trade. In 1947 Paul Roland Jones was involved in the narcotics trade, which experienced a post-war renaissance.

The narcotics operation of Paul Roland Jones involved John and Maurice Melton, two brothers who owned 127,000 acres of land near Durango, Mexico, suitable for the cultivation of opium. The opium was grown there and was flown into the United States by pilot Taylor Crossland. [FBI report filed 12.14.63 at Albuquerque, New Mexico #AQ 44-391] In August 1947 the Federal Bureau of Narcotics became aware of the operation. Maurice Melton and Paul Roland Jones were put under 24-hour surveillance and their telephone calls were monitored: "Prior to arrest above Subjects were surveilled during course of investigation and they checked into the Central Plaza Hotel on August 2, 1947. While at this hotel they made several phone calls which were checked out and the number Kedzie-1717 was listed to Hyman and JACK RUBENSTEIN." [Bureau of Narcotics Report, Chicago 10.31.47 A.E. Aman; FBI #44-24016-586; FBI 44-1639-21, Dallas] On August 27, 1947, Taylor Crossland was forced down, and arrested at the Mexican-American border with 48 pounds of raw opium worth nearly one million dollars in his aircraft. Taylor Crossland told the FBI that when he and Maurice Melton brought a load of opium from Mexico to Dallas he contacted Paul Roland Jones in an effort to dispose of the opium. He "stated Paul Roland Jones took him to an unknown motel, where Jones introduced an individual whom he believes possibly identical to RUBY as RUBENSTEIN. States Jones and RUBENSTEIN went back into motel, stayed approximately five minutes, and then Jones returned to automobile and said 'We will have to go to Chicago to dispose of this stuff' and no further reference was made to an individual believed to be JACK RUBENSTEIN." [FBI 44-1639-1629; WCE 1271, 1272, 1273; FBI 44-24016-481]

Taylor Crossland became a States witness against Paul Roland Jones, as did the Melton brothers. On October 24, 1947, Paul Roland Jones was arrested in Dallas. Five days later, the Chicago office of the Bureau of Narcotics questioned JACK RUBENSTEIN and his brother. JACK RUBENSTEIN said he knew Paul Roland Jones through his sister, Eva Rubenstein Grant, who met Paul Roland Jones while operating her supper club in Dallas. JACK RUBENSTEIN claimed he had never spoken to Paul Roland Jones in Chicago, either personally or by phone. When the calls in question occurred (August 2, 1947 and August 3, 1947) JACK RUBENSTEIN said he was visiting Dallas. JACK RUBENSTEIN said he was a sales promoter and merchandise distributor and he knew nothing about narcotics. Hyman Rubenstein admitted having known Taylor Crossland, Maurice Melton and Paul Roland Jones and told the Bureau of Narcotics investigators that the telephone call in question had been made to him. He admitted meeting with them, but insisted "I know absolutely nothing about opium, or narcotics in any shape, manner or form, nor the illicit traffic of narcotic drugs. Paul Roland Jones never mentioned opium to me nor did Taylor Crossland or Maurice Melton. I'm a business man with no arrests. We were involved in selling lumber and pipe. They gave me a sample of lumber which I showed around Chicago." During the trial, Maurice Melton testified that when Hyman and Jack Rubenstein were propositioned regarding narcotics, they refused any part in it. [FBI 44-24016-395]

The Melton's had been told by Paul Roland Jones that the Rubenstein family had connections with the Chicago crime syndicate, who would offer them the best price for the opium. The deal never went through. The Melton brothers were afraid to testify against Rubenstein because they knew he was connected to the Syndicate and they didn't want to end up dead.

On January 10, 1948, Hyman Rubenstein appeared as a witness in the narcotics trial of Paul Roland Jones in Dallas. Eleven months later, the Bureau of Narcotics closed the JACK RUBENSTEIN file, but seven years later, in 1955, the Bureau reopened it. The original file released by the Justice Department in unexcised form (over the objection of the Drug Enforcement Administration - the heirs to Bureau of Narcotics files) had the following in a box labeled "Related Files": "SE-202 Mafia pages 234 and 240." When this researcher applied for these files Benjamin R. Civiletti informed him that the materials were not of "historical interest" because "even today, the materials remain substantially related to continuing investigations...I do want you to know that no reference to JACK RUBY has been discovered in the materials which are the subject of this appeal." [Ltr. Office of Deputy Attorney General 5.8.78 re: DEA/FOIA/Req#77-492-F]

After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy RUBY did not deny that he was in touch with Paul Roland Jones in Chicago. Paul Roland Jones admitted he was a member of the syndicate during this period. In late January 1948, Paul Roland Jones, who was described as a "Dangerous Public Enemy" by the FBI, was convicted of Conspiracy to Import Narcotics and sentenced to three years in prison. An additional two years were added when his appeal on the bribery charges was denied. Released in 1952 Paul Roland Jones returned to Dallas and managed several taverns for the syndicate. In 1953 Paul Roland Jones was involved in the sale of worthless uranium stock. By 1960 he had become connected with a phoney cancer clinic. Paul Roland Jones lived in Birmingham, Alabama, but made frequent trips to Dallas.

In December 1947 JACK RUBENSTEIN changed his name to JACK RUBY. In early 1948, when Paul Roland Jones went to prison, RUBY moved to Dallas. After the assassination of President John F. Kennedy RUBY admitted he "came to Dallas because of connections with the Chicago crime syndicate." [WC Ltr. Hoover to Rankin 6.2.64] Later in 1948 Eva Rubenstein moved to California and RUBY took responsibility for the management of The Silver Spur Club.

RUBY contacted Lewis J. McWillie who helped manage the gambling interests of the syndicate in Dallas. Lewis J. McWillie was born at Kansas City, Missouri, May 4, 1908. At age 16 he was arrested for stealing a car and sentenced to two years at a boys reformatory. Lewis J. McWillie became a professional gambler, who worked river boats up and down the Mississippi. The FBI described him as a "murderer." [FBI PX-44216 12.5.63] In 1942 he worked for Benny Bickers, and Benny "the Cowboy" Binion, at the Top of the Hill Casino, located just outside the Dallas City limits. [HSCA V9 para. 1153; Lt. Butler, Kefauver Committee test; WCE1692; WCD 686d] Benny Binion had controlled gambling in Dallas ever since his rival was executed in gangland fashion. Benny Binion had been arrested for murder and possession of a sawed-off shotgun. Benny Binion left Dallas in 1948 and moved to Las Vegas where he became associated with West Coast mob figures Mickey Cohen and Jack Dragna. Jack Dragna was frequently referred to as the Al Capone of Los Angeles and was closely associated with Johnny Rosselli. In 1951 the State of Nevada granted Binion a gaming license, and he became a casino operator. [Reed, Ed, Ovid Demaris, The Green Felt Jungle, Trident Press, NY, 1963 pgs. 66, 84, 104, 184]

In 1978 Lewis J. McWillie was questioned about his association with Benny Binion and any possible connection between gambling in Las Vegas and Dallas.

Q. Did you know Benny Binion in 1947?

A. Knew him to see him.

Q. Who did you work for in the 1940's?

A. I worked for Ivy Miller and Red Scarborough.

Q. Did you know that Miller and Scarborough worked for Benny Binion in a numbers operation?

A. No I didn't.

Q. Did you know Harry Urban?

A. Didn't know him intimately. I knew him to speak to him.

Q. Did you know he was a partner of Benny Binion?

A. No.

Q. Prior to your present employment (in 1978), where did you work?

A. Binion's Horse Shoe Club in Las Vegas. [HSCA V5 pgs. 2, 22, 57, 65]

RUBY was associated with the MARCELLO family soldiers, or capos, in Dallas. These men included R.D. Matthews (born July 26, 1920, in Aspermont, Texas), Joe Civello, (born January 2, 1902; died January 1970), Joe Campisi (born October 11, 1918, Dallas), and Sam Campisi (born May 19, 1938), and Ralph Paul (born December 17, 1899, Kiev, Russia).

Lewis J. McWillie introduced RUBY to Russell Douglas Matthews. When R.D. Matthews was seven he moved to Dallas. He served in the Marine Corps from December 1941 to October 1945, after which he returned to Dallas. [HSCA V9 par 1054] By the late 1940's R.D. Matthews was actively engaged in criminal activity in Dallas. He was described in one FBI report as a burglar, armed robber, narcotics pusher and murderer. Another described him as armed and dangerous, and stated that he had been known to carry firearms and to use explosives in the past. In 1949 R.D. Matthews was arrested for burglary and in 1950 for having violated the Federal Narcotics Act.

Ralph Paul was most closely associated with RUBY. An employee of the Carousel Club testified: "If anybody gave JACK money, he would probably got it from Paul. He was a silent partner who passed on to him some of that cash." [HSCA V9p242] Ralph Paul, a Russian-Jewish immigrant whose name was Ralph Bielapolski, came to Dallas in 1947 from the South Bronx where he owned a fruit stand. Ralph Paul told the FBI that he had worked 16 hours a day for 25 years at this stand for very low wages. Yet when he came to Dallas he had amassed a considerable amount of capital; enough to purchase several nightclubs. [WCD 4 p466; HSCA V9 para. 1271] CARLOS MARCELLO was in the tomato growing and marketing business when Ralph Paul owned a fruit stand. CARLOS MARCELLO needed frontmen to invest his illegal earnings in legitimate businesses. The brother of Ralph Paul, Louis Paul, was President of the Pleasant Finance Company of Lodi, New Jersey. Frank Laduca was the manager of Pleasant Finance. [FBI tel from Newark #44-443 to Dallas 6.3.64] In 1952 RUBY took Ralph Paul on as a silent partner. By 1952 the MARCELLO family had gained control of organized crime in Dallas.

Ralph Paul was a partner of Joseph Campisi. [FBI report filed 11.24.63 Dallas, DC 44-1639, Lee and R.M. Barrett] Joseph Campisi attended high school with R.D. Matthews. In 1944 Joe Campisi was arrested for a murder that involved the shooting of an employee of Campisi's, who allegedly drew a knife on him. A Dallas County Grand Jury believed Joe Campisi had acted in self-defense. In 1947 Joe Campisi and his brother Sam Campisi bought the Idle Hour Bar in Dallas. This was the year the Campisis first met RUBY. In 1957 the Campisi brothers bought the Egyptian Lounge from John Grizzaffi; an associate of RUBY'S. John Grizzaffi, a native of Dallas, was mentioned in the Jones-Butler tapes. Employees of the Egyptian Lounge included men like Peter Piccola, who was known to the FBI as a bookmaker. [FBI 44-1639 FD-302 with P J Piccola 4.24.63 Dallas, Lee & Barrett] Other associates RUBY and Joe Campisi had in common included Lewis J. McWillie, Benny Binion and James R. Todd. [HSCA V5 para. 908] The FBI reported: "On February 17, 1959, Special Agents (Deleted) and (Deleted) observed Dallas police character and known gambler (Deleted) at the Egyptian Lounge, which is owned and operated by Joe and Sam Campisi. The connection between (Deleted) and the Campisis was not known. On May 14, 1959, Special Agents (Deleted) and (Deleted) observed Dallas-Fort Worth gambler (Deleted) at the Egyptian Lounge. On August 18, 1959, Special Agent (Deleted) observed (Deleted) and his family at the Egyptian Lounge. (Deleted) was observed in conversation with (Deleted) and (Deleted). A newspaper article in The Dallas Morning News on November 23, 1959, stated that suspected mafia adherent Charles Vincent Saterino, FBI No. 497185, had died on November 21, 1959. Among the pallbearers were Charles Civello, brother of Joseph Francis Civello, John Ross Patrono and Joe and Sam Campisi. These same individuals attended the funeral of the of the father of Pete Piccola during the same week. On November 22, 1961, while contacting Sam Campisi on another matter, Special Agent (Deleted) observed (Deleted) enter the Egyptian Restaurant and engage in what appeared to be a guarded conversation with (Deleted). He left shortly thereafter. On March 27, 1962, Special Agents (Deleted) and (Deleted) observed Joseph Francis Civello at the Egyptian Lounge apparently waiting for an order of pizza to be filled. The recent robbery of Sam Campisi was discussed with Civello. On January 31, 1963, Special Agents (Deleted) and (Deleted) observed known Dallas gambler (Deleted) in the Egyptian Lounge in contact with (Deleted). On August 7, 1963, (Deleted) advised Special Agent (Deleted) that numerous known bookmakers and dice hustlers frequent the Egyptian Lounge on a daily basis. (Deleted) no information had been received from any reliable source that the Campisis were involved at present or in the recent past in any illegal activity." [The rest of this document was highly deleted. [FBI Dallas 12-7792-2] In 1967 a friend of Joe Campisi estimated that each brother netted $100,000 per year from their restaurant business. That year the Campisis aided the promotion in Dallas of gambling junkets sponsored by the Flamingo Hotel in Las Vegas. From January 1967 to the day he died on December 23, 1970, Campisi was the subject of a FBI Anti- Racketeering Investigation. On April 4, 1968, the FBI in Dallas requested permission to review the Campisis telephone toll records based on their associate with Joseph Civello. In 1970 an FBI report related an assertion of an informant that Joe Campisi was close with both State judges and members of the Dallas County District Attorney's office. He allegedly had contacts within the Dallas Police Department. Joe Campisi was linked with both gambling and bookmaking activities in the Dallas area, but had never been arrested for any gambling activities. Joe Campisi's technical characterization in Federal law enforcement records was an organized crime member whose affiliation had, at one point, been termed: 'Definite.'" In the 1970's the MARCELLOS often appeared at Campisi family affairs. [Earl Golz, MARCELLO in Dallas, Iconoclast 11.2l. 76; Mike Graugnard, MARCELLO, Iconoclast 10.15, 29, 1976, 11.5.76] Sam Campisi died on December 23, 1970. The FBI recorded the license numbers of all out of state cars attending his funeral. [FBI 92-9792-25] It concluded: "A review of the list of registrations obtained from cars attending subject's funeral reflected the following individuals, members of a local group who allegedly control organized crime in the Dallas area, were noted and were personally observed being present at the Subject's funeral."

The MARCELLO family made an alliance with Dallas mafia boss Joseph Francis Civello, whom MARCELLO knew from Baton Rouge. In 1938 Civello served four years of a 15 year federal prison sentence for having participated in a heroin and cocaine distribution conspiracy that reached from Dallas, to New Orleans, to Chicago. In late 1962 the Immigration and Naturalization Service began proceedings to deport Joseph Francis Civello. The FBI: "The Campisi's are members of a small group of aliens in Dallas closely associated with Civello, deceased, former LCN leader in Dallas. The subject and brother operate the Egyptian Restaurant, 5610 Mockingbird Lane, Dallas. In addition to the above association, the subjects have been connected with gambling activities in Dallas." [FBI DL 92-9792 9.22.70]

The HSCA questioned Lewis J. McWillie about his, and RUBY'S, connection to the Campisis and the Civellos:

Q. Did you know Joe Civello?

A. I knew him, yes. I didn't know him intimately but I knew him to speak to him.

Q. Did RUBY know him?

A. No. I don't think he knew him.

Q. Did JACK RUBY know Joe or Sam Campisi?

A. I'm sure he did.

Q. Do you recall having dinner with JACK RUBY and the Campisis in 1954 or 1955?

A. I don't recall but its possible.

Q. Do you know of any business dealings between RUBY and the Campisis?

A. No. they would have no business dealings with JACK RUBY. [HSCA V3p73, V9 para.1153]

When Joe Campisi was questioned by the HSCA he admitted a close connection to Joseph Francis Civello: "I knew the whole Civello family, I had known them all of my life...They owned Civello's Liquor Store, and they had imported foods like pastas and cheese...and at that time we started buying provolone cheese from them...we were just like kinfolks, you know. Just like we are, real close friends, like being cousins, you know."

Q. Did you ever discuss with Joe Civello the fact of his having been arrested at Appalachia?

A. Never have. [HSCA V9 para. 1153]

In November 1957 a meeting of the commission took place in Apalachin, N.Y. A FBI informant reported that purpose of this meeting was to "collect money to back Fidel Castro and help Castro overthrow Batista. (Deleted) said that apparently Batista did not let the Italian racket element get into gambling or wanted too large a share of the profits from the gambling operation. Castro, according to (Deleted), was being used as a tool to sway Batista's opinion. He said that when the Italian racket element was entrenched in Cuba, they would take over all gambling operations. (Deleted) did not believe that Castro had knowledge as to why the Italian racket element was backing him, and also, based on recent news articles, that Castro had gotten out of hand." [FBI PH 92-444 12.58 - Bruno's FBI File]

In 1953 RUBY obtained an interest in a third nightclub, the Vegas Club. His partner in this venture was Joe Locurto. An FBI report filed in 1953 revealed: "RUBY and Joe Locurto always carried concealed pistols and were in constant association with Jack Todd, a well known Dallas hoodlum." In July 1953 Joe Locurto was convicted of having violated the White Slave Act and having committed unnatural sexual acts. The RUBY/Locurto partnership ended when Locurto went to prison. [FBI 287527 information concerning memo 6.11.64 JWH/jh/cac. NR 6.19.64; FBI pre-1963 traces on RUBY Item 3] From 1953 to 1955 the Vegas Club was managed by Ken McDermitt. Ken McDermitt later became "State Supervisor of the Arizona State Bureau of Identification."

James Robert Todd (born December 10, 1919, Groesbeck, Texas), was described as "knowing CARLOS MARCELLO on a first name basis." During World War II James Robert Todd was employed by North American Aviation. In 1948 Jack Todd became part of the Hollis Green Gang which specialized in burglaries of pharmaceutical houses and large drug-stores for narcotics and cash. [HSCA V9 para. 1324, 1054] Jack Todd worked closely with R.D. Matthews at this time. The son of Jack Todd, Gerald Todd, was involved in a shootout with Joe Campisi in 1973. The two business partners had a falling out. The HSCA questioned Lewis J. McWillie about RUBY'S association with Jack Todd:

Q. Did JACK RUBY know Jack Todd?

A. I'm sure he did.

Q. Did you know Todd?

A. Jack Todd, I knew him...To tell you the truth, I don't know what Jack Todd did. He was in Cuba, too, just came over visiting. I saw him once or twice. [HSCA McW Dep.]

The HSCA also questioned Campisi about Todd:

Q. Do you know Jack Todd?

A. Yes sir.

Q. And how long have you known Mr. Todd?

A. Oh, ever since we were 15, 16 years old.

Q. What business, if any, have you had with Todd?

A. No business, none.

Both Jack Todd and R.D. Matthews were questioned by the HSCA. Both admitted knowing the Campisis, Johnny Grizzaffi, the Civellos, and RUBY. They shared common gambling connections that included bookmakers Benny Binion and John Eli Stone. R.D. Matthews admitted having known "Izzy" Miller, the former employer of Lewis McWillie, while Jack Todd admitted knowing Paul Roland Jones and Joe Locurto. [HSCA Depo see V9p126 index]

In August 1953 an FBI agent witnessed RUBY threaten the Branch Manager of the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). RUBY said he would kill the man if he didn't stop asking him to pay his entertainers in advance. The AGVA representative explained that he had been pistol whipped by Joe Locurto, and he heard that RUBY was a hoodlum who had experienced financial difficulties because of the Kefauver investigation.

By 1958 the Dallas mob controlled AGVA. James Henry Dolan, an associate of CARLOS MARCELLO and TRAFFICANTE, became a top AGVA official. [HSCA V9 para 924] James Henry Dolan was discharged from the Army in 1945. In 1951 James Henry Dolan was arrested and convicted for impersonating an Internal Revenue Service agent. In 1952 James Henry Dolan violated his probation when he rigged a poker game in Denver, Colorado. In 1953 James Henry Dolan was sent to federal prison where he remained until 1956. From 1958 to 1961 James Henry Dolan was employed by AGVA. An FBI report stated: "In late 1960 or 1961, George Fuqua and James Henry Dolan were introduced to SANTOS TRAFFICANTE JR., through TRAFFICANTE'S associate, Milo Bell. The purpose of the contact was to ascertain if Milo Bell and TRAFFICANTE could use James Henry Dolan and George Fuqua in the collection business, or as enforcers for TRAFFICANTE. TRAFFICANTE allegedly told these two Dallas people that he wanted a 'bolito man knocked-off and roughed-up as this man was holding out on his collections and owed TRAFFICANTE some money'...Dolan and Fuqua subsequently 'knocked off' this man and got about $7,000." In February 1961 James Henry Dolan was arrested in Dallas for breaking into a pay telephone. James Henry Dolan had placed a call to Milo Bell. In March 1963 it was learned that James Henry Dolan had been on a trip to New Orleans and had spoken to "CARLOS" (last name unknown, possibly MARCELLO), a "big time New Orleans hoodlum." On May 10, 1963, James Henry Dolan was stopped by the New Orleans police, and was found to be in the company of Dimitry Sack, who frequented the Town and Country Restaurant, which was owned by Joseph A. Poretto. James Henry Dolan was also associated with R.D. Matthews, a frequent visitor to his AGVA office. On May 29, 1963, Dallas Police Intelligence advised that James Henry Dolan was in contact with R.D. Matthews, allegedly having discussed the need for $2,000 to gain the release of their associate, George Fuqua. A 1964 investigation of telephone calls made by James Henry Dolan indicated a call was made to the American Bonding Agency in Chicago, which was operated by mobster Irwin Weiner. A 1964 FBI report listed Nofio Pecora as a known associate of James Henry Dolan's. Another FBI report placed the partner of James Henry Dolan, George Fuqua, at a restaurant located across the street from the Tropical Tourist Courts Trailer Park.

When the FBI interviewed James Henry Dolan circa December 1963, he stated he had known RUBY since 1957 and had seen him quite often when he worked for AGVA.

According to the HSCA, in 1953 RUBY was a confidential source for Kefauver Committee investigators. [HSCA V9 para. 11208] RUBY was not mentioned during the Kefauver investigation, and this researcher was unable to locate any paperwork that substantiated this.

In 1953 Senator Estes Kefauver named CARLOS MARCELLO as the boss of the Louisiana mafia. As a result, the Immigration and Naturalization Service issued an order of deportation against CARLOS MARCELLO. It cost MARCELLO a million dollars in legal fees to fight this order. In 1956 the first of MARCELLO'S deportation hearings began. MARCELLO'S strategy involved pay-offs to members of the Italian Parliament so that Italy would not accept him should he be deported. This international bribery brought CARLOS MARCELLO to the attention of the CIA, which was also funneling money to Italian politicians.

Throughout 1953 RUBY was involved in gambling activities and confidence games. His partner was Harry Hall. Harry Hall, (Harry Schwartz), was described an a big-time swindler associated with Johnny Rosselli. Harry Hall's uncle, Marty Schwartz, was a dealer at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas. Andrew Armstrong, the janitor at the Carousel Club, stated: "JACK would tell me stories about Marty Schwartz when Marty and he did this or he and Marty did that...about things that happened in Chicago." [HSCA V9 para. 886] On December 11, 1963, the FBI interviewed Harry Hall. He told them that he had known RUBY from childhood, since he had been raised in the same neighborhood in Chicago. Harry Hall claimed he had not seen RUBY for eight years and to his knowledge, RUBY had never visited Las Vegas. The FBI marked this document "no leads."

RUBY'S close friend, Alex Gruber, told the HSCA that Barney Ross had introduced him to Harry Hall in Chicago, then he ran into him at several sporting events. Alex Gruber maintained he did not know that Harry Hall was connected with RUBY. [HSCA V9 p485; FBI 44-1639-1841, 2125; USSS File #4,3-601.0 - 454; FBI 105-82555- NR. 12.11.63; FBI # Los Angeles-44-895-WJN; mjg; HSCA V9 p251]

In Dallas, Harry Hall joined the Petroleum Club where he fleeced oil barons Clint Murchison, Sr., and H.L. Hunt. The FBI discounted the information supplied by Harry Hall about having worked with RUBY, despite the fact that Harry Hall was an FBI and Treasury Department informant who had provided the Treasury Department with reliable information in the past. Harry Hall wanted to trade his information for release from Federal prison where he was incarcerated for fraud.

In 1978 the HSCA questioned Lewis J. McWillie about Harry Hall:

Q. Who were some of the oil men who gambled at the Top of the Hill?

A. Billy Byers, he played out there. Big oilmen, H.L. Hunt, he played out there.

Q. Did you know Harry Hall?

A. I knew a dealer years and years ago by the name of Harry Hall. Hell, he's been dead 30, 40 years.

RUBY traveled to Israel in 1955. While visiting "known racketeers and gamblers" in San Francisco that year he told Harry Hall: "After I leave here I'm going to Florida to buy a load of contraband (arms) to send to Israel." RUBY'S notebook contained the phone number TE-8-7475. This number belonged to A. Snyman of New York City. The NY FBI attempted to contact A. Snyman by telephone, and personal visit, for several days without success. The agents went to her apartment and knocked on her door. As they were leaving A. Snyman appeared in the lobby. She told them that she had diplomatic immunity, and they should contact her through Ambassador M. I. Botha of the South African Mission to the United Nations. Had RUBY been involved in an arms deal between Israel and South Africa? The FBI determined the number in question was JE-8-7475 rather than TE-8-7475.

The Warren Commission re-examined the entry and determined it was TE-3-7475. This number was "possibly identified with a Fort Worth resident, Carl M. Applewhite, a cousin of well know singer and nightclub operator, Charles M. Applewhite." [FBI 44-24016-1550] Charles M. Applewhite's name appeared in RUBY'S telephone book.

James Breen, (born January 4, 1928), was arrested in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1942 and 1943. He became a welder's helper around this time. James Breen was arrested in 1944 in San Francisco, when he was 16. He was charged with illegally wearing a Navy jacket and cap. James Breen enlisted in the Army in 1947, but went AWOL a year later. In 1952 he was arrested for marijuana. In 1954 he was in Seagoville Federal Correctional Institute, and in 1955 he was arrested in Los Angeles on suspected narcotics act violations. In December 1955, the San Francisco Office of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics attempted to locate James Breen and Eileen Curry with a view in mind of possibly using these individuals in connection with a narcotics investigation, then in progress. The Federal Bureau of Narcotics could not locate them. James Breen was arrested in Long Beach, California, in December 1956. In March 1957 he was arrested in Signal Hill, California. In December 1959 James Breen was charged with auto theft and in 1961 he was charged with running a house of prostitution in Los Angeles. In 1962 James Breen was suspected of cultivating marijuana. He was arrested again May 29, 1962 in Anaheim, California. He was arrested March 9, 1963, in Los Angeles, and on March 28, 1963. The FBI "Breen was former FUDE, Los Angeles origin."

When the war ended, Meyer Lansky opened a gambling house within easy reach of Miami. In 1946, The Colonial Inn opened it's doors in Hallandale, Florida. The Sheriff of Hallandale, Walter Clark, operated a numbers racket from his office and controlled slot machines throughout Broward County. His deputies protected Meyer Lansky's holdings. Frank Erickson, Joe Adonis, CARLOS MARCELLO, SANTO TRAFFICANTE, Sr., Frank Costello all had points in the Colonial Inn. The profits from the Colonial Inn were invested in the Flamingo Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, then under construction. Meyer Lansky and "Bugsy" Siegel supervised the construction of the Flamingo. The Colonial Inn closed in 1948, but with the cooperation of corrupt law enforcement officials, other establishments like it flourished.

In 1950 the Flamingo Hotel and the Colonial Inn, along with the names Meyer and Jake Lansky recurred with regularity throughout the Kefauver Hearings. Meyer Lansky admitted having known Frank Costello, Joe Adonis, Frank Erickson, the Fishetti Brothers, Vincent Alo, Anthony Accardo, Jack Dragna, Johnny Rosselli, Doc Stacher and "Trigger-Mike" Coppola. In February 1951 Meyer Lansky was questioned again. Joe Adonis was deported, and Frank Erickson was jailed. [Testimony of Meyer Lansky - Kefauver Hearings] The televised hearings brought so much "heat" on the mob Meyer Lansky could no longer operate with immunity within the United States. The syndicate returned to Cuba where the Authentico Party of Carlos Prio Soccarras was in power. Meyer Lansky wanted to see Carlos Prio Soccarras overthrown and Batista reinstalled. Meyer Lansky had worked with Fulgencio Batista in the early 1930's. He encouraged Fulgencio Batista to run in absentia for the Cuban Senate. [Tad Szulc, The Cuban Invasion, Ballantine Books 1962] As stated in, Batista overthrew Prio on March 10, 1952. Meyer Lansky, however, could not take immediate advantage of the coup. He was in prison for one year. When he was released in 1953 Meyer Lansky invested heavily in Cuba. In 1954, Meyer Lansky moved to Havana, where he became the top syndicate figure. SANTOS TRAFFICANTE Jr. became second in command. It was easy for Meyer Lansky to persuade Fulgencio Batista to legalize gambling. In 1955 Fulgencio Batista changed the gambling laws to permit a legal casino in any nightclub or hotel worth one million dollars or more. The Cuban Minister of Labor ruled that all pit bosses, stickmen, and dealers, in casinos were skilled technicians who qualified for admission under two year visas. The Cuban Government offered in one way or another to put up a good part of the construction costs for any new casinos. For the $17 million Riviera government-controlled banks loaned $6 million. Meyer Lansky supervised the construction of the Riviera. Within four years the syndicate constructed $50 million worth of gambling casinos; the Riviera - worth $17 million; the Cleveland-mob controlled Hotel Nacional - worth $7 million; the Tropicana - worth $6 million; Capri - a property of the mafia group headed by Charlie "the Blade" Tourine - estimated worth - $5 million; Seville Biltmore - worth $4 million, Deauville - worth $2.5 million and the San Souci - worth $1 million. [Life 3.10.58; NYT 1.12.59]

Meyer Lansky and Fulgencio Batista turned Cuba into the center of gambling, narcotics and vice in the Western Hemisphere. The take was so high that Albert Anastasia, who was the "Chairman of the Board" of Murder Incorporated, tried to take-over Meyer Lansky's empire. TRAFFICANTE hit Albert Anastasia's under-boss, Frank Costello, then hit Albert Anastasia, as he lay in a barber-chair, getting a shave. New York District Attorney Frank S. Hogan named TRAFFICANTE as a suspect in the killing and announced that he wanted to question Meyer Lansky. [NY World Telegram, 1.9.59, "An Anastasia Grab at Cuba Dice Triggered Fate," Paul Meskil; Time 3.2.59]

Meyer Lansky and SANTOS TRAFFICANTE Jr., out of reach of New York District Attorney Frank S. Hogan in Cuba, prospered. The mob's major problem was that Cuba was a banana republic. This meant constant, periodic, changes of government. In order to hedge its bets some elements of the syndicate supported Fidel Castro.

According to Mack Blaney Johnson JACK RUBY owned points in Lansky's Colonial Inn. Mack Blaney Johnson (born 1900) informed the FBI of this connection on November 29, 1963: "Blaney Mack Johnson (protect identity), interviewed by S.A. Daniel D. Doyle, claims to have owned interest in Playbrook Club, Miami, Florida, in early 1950's, during which time JACK RUBY held an interest in the Colonial Inn..." The Miami City Directory for 1949 listed a Playbrook Club. It was not listed for any other year.

The Colonial Inn shut down on February 12, 1948, by an injunction by the Broward Court. Miami Office FBI files did not reflect that it ever reopened. Johnson was mistaken about the time he ran the Playbrook Club so he might have been mistaken about the year that Ruby owned points in the Colonial Inn.

In 1975 this researcher located a former Hallandale policeman, Walt Zassler, who had worked for Sheriff Walter Clark. He was familiar with the Colonial Inn operation. He was asked if Jack RUBY or JACK RUBENSTEIN was involved. Walt Zassler stated: "I do remember the name. There was Jack so and so Rubystein and Rubystine...I do remember the name. I don't know if it was the same JACK RUBY, but there was a JACK RUBY involved. I met this guy a long time ago, about 1950. I was indicted by a Grand Jury that came about as a result of the Kefauver Investigation and I went to Alaska."

Mack Blaney Johnson also told the FBI that in the early 1950's he was an independent airplane pilot engaged in flights of cargo from Miami to Havana Cuba: "In this connection he allegedly learned of illegal flights of cargo from Miami to Havana Cuba for the Castro organization in Cuba. JACK RUBY, then known as JACK RUBENSTEIN, was active in arranging these flights. He was part owner of two airplanes used for these purposes. Mack Blaney Johnson subsequently left Miami and purchased substantial share in Havana gaming house, business name unknown, in which one Carlos Prio was principal owner. Carlos Prio, Johnson explains, was within favor of former Cuban leader Batista, but was instrumental in financing and managing accumulation of weapons by pro-Castro forces. Johnson advises one Donald Edward Browder was associated with RUBY in arms smuggling operation. Johnson names one Joe Marrs, Marrs Aircraft, as having contracted with RUBY to make flights to Havana. Leslie Lewis, the former Police Chief of Hialeah, Florida, now possibly pistol instructor, Dade County Florida Sheriffs Department, possessed, according to Johnson, a detailed knowledge of persons involved in flight of weapons to Cuba and has specific knowledge of RUBY participation." [FBI 44-24016-471,76; WCE 3063; FBI 44-24016-75; FBI Report 11.29.63 and 11.30.63 Atlanta; FBI 105-3193; WCE 3063; FBI 44-24016-624; WCD 856; FBI 44-1639-4835]

Johnson stated that: "Carlos Prio, Johnson explains, was within favor of former Cuban leader Batista, but was instrumental in financing and managing accumulation of weapons by pro-Castro forces." This was never true. Johnson was confused on another point.

On November 30, 1963, Mack Blaney Johnson was recontacted by the FBI and shown a photograph of RUBY. Mack Blaney Johnson said he was convinced beyond a doubt the JACK RUBENSTEIN he knew was identical to JACK RUBY. He added that Clifton T. Bowes Jr., a pilot for National Airlines, was familiar with JACK RUBENSTEIN. The FBI claimed a problem with Mack Blaney Johnson's story was that "while there were flights of weapons to Cuba in the early 1950's, noted Castro organization was not active until about 1956." Fidel Castro tried to storm the Moncada on July 26, 1953, and his organization was active before this.

The FBI questioned Leslie Lewis on November 30, 1963. He told the Bureau he was Chief of Hialeah Police Department from May 1947 to September 1947. He never heard of JACK RUBY and had no knowledge whatsoever of persons flying weapons to Cuba. He stated he did not know Edward Browder or Joe Marrs.

Joe Marrs told the FBI on November 30, 1963, "he was a pilot for Eastern Airlines during World War II. Immediately after the war he engaged in selling airplanes and airplane parts in Miami, Florida. He never flew for hire or transported any goods by air to Cuba or otherwise. He had never heard of JACK RUBY and as far as he knows he never saw him prior to RUBY'S appearance on TV last weekend. Concerning Donald Edward Browder, he knew him as Ed Browder, and ex-RCAF Ferry Command pilot who came to Miami about 1945. He described Browder as an individual he shunned due to being a shady promotor and blowhard who was all conversation and no money. Browder spoke of plans to set up an air transport service to South American countries, but to Marrs' knowledge did not succeed in doing so. Marrs has read of Browder's alleged escapades of smuggling, but has no knowledge of them." [FBI 44-24016-594] Investigation in Miami developed that Joe Marrs was a former Eastern Airlines pilot until 1943, when he was dismissed because of ulcers.

When the FBI questioned Clifton T. Bowes on December 1, 1963, he said he has been "National Airlines pilot for the past 20 years. Says he never heard of JACK RUBY or JACK RUBENSTEIN and certain he has never met him. States never heard of RUBY until recent TV publicity and has no information concerning anyone sending arms to Cuba...Does not know Edward Browder though says he formerly knew a Mack Blaney Johnson as an independent pilot in Miami. Never closely acquainted with Mack Blaney Johnson, but understood Mack Blaney Johnson was ill and hospitalized for some unknown reason several years ago. Last saw Johnson some three years ago. Describes him as rational but highly imaginative, a story teller, and apt to identify himself with unusual situations. He says Johnson particularly imaginative when drinking." [FBI 44-24016-594] Clifton T. Bowes was questioned by this interviewer in 1975. He said Johnson "was an alcoholic who has since died. He died some five or six years ago. Don't know what he died of."

The Dallas SAC determined on December 10, 1963, that the "Investigation appears to indicate information furnished by Johnson is a fabrication in its entirety. No further inquiries in same connection are intended." [FBI 44-1639-1769 to Director] On April 3, 1964, J. Lee Rankin asked that "the allegations of Atlanta informant be fully resolved and reported to the Warren Commission." On April 10, 1964, the SAC Dallas stated that "in view of information in Miami telexs which negated information from Atlanta informant, information in Miami tels has not been submitted in report form to date, and accordingly, President's Commission, while receiving referenced Atlanta report, has not received additional investigation...Suggest Atlanta inform Johnson his identity can no longer be concealed..." The FBI informed Mack Blaney Johnson of this on April 11, 1963. Mack Blaney Johnson told the FBI that Leslie Lewis, Joe Marrs and Clifton T. Bowes were lying due to their having participated in illegal activities. [FBI 44-1639-4835] Mack Blaney Johnson "re-affirmed the truthfulness and accuracy of information heretofore furnished and expressed belief that Lewis, Marrs and Bowes, to serve their own interests, lied concerning their knowledge of, or participation in, weapons smuggling together with JACK RUBENSTEIN'S involvement." The Dallas FBI requested the Atlanta FBI check Johnson, Lewis, Marrs and Bowes criminal and credit records. No derogatory information was uncovered. [FBI 44-1639-4836] Mack Blaney Johnson had told the FBI he had no objection to his name being disclosed for official purposes. On April 13, 1964, the FBI re-interviewed Mack Blaney Johnson. "After detailed interrogation Johnson finally admitted that he could be mistaken about individual he knew as JACK RUBENSTEIN being identical with Subject JACK RUBY. He said individual he knew as JACK RUBENSTEIN described as 5'9" to 5'10", 160 lbs, black hair with full head of hair, hairline not receding, middle 40's, athletic build, was a golfer and resided in the Racket Club in Miami. Johnson also stated Bob Vollmar, of the Records Bureau, City of Miami Police Department and Bill Gould, the owner of the Playbrook Club, are individuals that should know JACK RUBENSTEIN, and were also familiar with the alleged smuggling of guns to Cuba in the early 1950's. Johnson was asked to give a more detailed time of his residence in Miami and his acquaintanceship with JACK RUBENSTEIN, and he stated this was about the time of the Kefauver Investigations. He stated it could have been 1952, or 1953, but had no way of verifying it. Records, Atlanta, Police Department, reflect no record for Mack Blaney Johnson. Credit Bureau records file established August 1961. No derogatory information. Resided in Miami 17 years prior to 1961. Johnson advised that until he suffered a heart attack several years ago he was a pilot, and had a part interest in the Playbrook Club in Miami in the early 1950's. Johnson, also as a pilot, made numerous flights of cargo from Miami to Havana, but stated he never participated in the smuggling of arms. He stated that he had participated in night club activity in Florida, and some of his activities would tend to incriminate him, but he would not go into detail. However, he indicated Playbrook Club had a gambling casino which was closed as a result of the Kefauver investigations, and he also indicated the Colonial Inn was a place where counterfeit money was handled...His wife was present during part of interview and stated she believed he was mistaken concerning the identity of JACK RUBENSTEIN, but reluctant to admit it. However Johnson converses in a rational manner and does not appear to be unstable...Johnson was shown a photograph of Eddie Browder and stated Browder not identical with the Donald Edward Browder he knew in Florida." [FBI 44-1639-4840]

Johnson finally got the message that the FBI was not going to leave him alone until he retracted his statements.

On April 13, 1964, the FBI questioned Robert Vollmar. He said he knew Johnson for many years and he understood Johnson has become an increasingly heavy drinker. He denied having known RUBY etc. and said "that he feels if Johnson has attributed such knowledge to him then Johnson must be 'off the beam.'"

On April 23, 1964, the FBI re-interviewed Mack Blaney Johnson: "During previous interview Johnson picked face photograph of JACK RUBY out of two other pictures as person he knew in Florida by the name of JACK RUBENSTEIN. On April 23, 1964, group of photographs containing full length and face photographs of RUBY were displayed to Johnson. Johnson picked out several photographs as people he thought he had seen before. He picked out both photographs of RUBY as someone he thought he had seen before. He was asked to identify the person, but he could not do so. When finally it was pointed out to him that these were photographs of JACK RUBY he became quite nervous and stated that he possibly did not recognize them because he always saw JACK RUBENSTEIN dressed in a suit and the pictures of RUBY show him dressed in casual clothing...however, although he could not go on the witness stand and state that he was sure they were identical he believes they could be. Johnson also stated that he has never suffered from emotional illness or never been treated for the same. Concerning Browder as W/M, 33-35, (10 to 12 years ago) good looking, 5'9", 155 lbs, black hair, full head of hair, sometimes wore mustache, no glasses, neat dresser, carried German Lugar pistol...Johnson stated Browder was called Don and Eddie and Don Eduardo, but was not of Latin descent. He had no known occupation, but believed Johnson to be smuggler. Johnson stated he saw him a dozen times; several times at Eric Johnson Enterprises, a machine shop located in Miami. He stated Johnson is now in Nassau, Bahamas, and would definitely know Browder, but is not sure if he would know JACK RUBENSTEIN...Johnson does not recall where he first met Rubinstein, but saw him about half dozen times, twice at the Colonial Inn, and once at Sunny Airport. Johnson never saw Browder and JACK RUBENSTEIN together, but heard both mention the other, and believed they were acquainted. JACK RUBENSTEIN was not married. He was not a pilot and did his alleged gun running by boat...In view of Johnson's inability to identify a photograph of RUBY as JACK RUBENSTEIN, and his nervous state when it was pointed out to him his lack of identification, Atlanta feels that Johnson originally furnished this information, not being sure of it and is now reluctant to back away from his original statements. He was given every opportunity to do so, but still maintains he may be correct in his identification. Atlanta recommends that this phase of the investigation be discontinued in as much as all other investigation has failed to back up any of Johnson's story... If Dallas, however, feels that this must be pursued, Atlanta recommended interviewing Browder and Eric Johnson." [FBI 44-1639-4963]

Mack Blaney Johnson furnished an accurate description of Edward Browder. The FBI could not intimidate him for very long, and in the end he stuck to his identification of JACK RUBY as JACK RUBENSTEIN.

On April 23, 1964, the FBI located Edward J. Browder and interviewed him. Edward Browder denied knowing RUBY, Mack Blaney Johnson, Clifton T. Bowes or Leslie Lewis. He said he had heard of Joe Marrs, but never met him. He also said he did not know a Donald Edward Browder. Donald Edward Browder was known as "Don" Edward Browder among the Cubans he worked with - "Don" as in "Mafia Don," or "Don" meaning "Sir" in Spanish. Johnson thought his name was Donald Edward Browder.

The FBI closed the investigation into Mack Blaney Johnson's charges. On April 30, 1963, the FBI discussed the Mack Blaney Johnson matter with the CIA: "FBI Agent said that this charge regarding RUBY sounded like a lot of nonsense, that the FBI has received many allegations of this sort, regarding RUBY, which have proved to be without foundation. I replied that since the FBI used an informant symbol for this information we have no way of determining the veracity of the source." [CIA 674-297]

Edward J. Browder was born on June 22, 1917, in Amarillo, Texas. The father of Edward J. Browder was Secretary-Treasurer of the Santa Fe Railroad. In March 1942 Edward Browder enlisted in the Army. In November 1942 he was an applicant SO Detroit, Michigan. In February 1943 he was an applicant at the CAA in Washington, D.C. In April 1943 he was a pilot in the SOS Army. In 1944 he worked with British Security Co-Ordination in New York where he was a civilian pilot trainee. HEMMING told this researcher: "He was hired for Latin American operations by William Stevenson, the famous 'Man Called Intrepid.' Hoover allowed the Brits to operate in Latin America." In 1944 Edward Browder became a volunteer pilot for the Royal Air Force.

In 1947 Edward Browder stole a cache of machine guns from an Army base located at Augusta, Georgia. A Federal Warrant was signed that charged Edward Browder with theft of government property and ordered his arrest. After Edward Browder was taken into custody on April 24, 1947, he told the authorities that he was involved in a conspiracy to overthrow President Romulo Betancourt of Venezuela. In December 1947, a Federal Grand Jury in Tulsa, Oklahoma, indicted Browder for unlawfully having exported a P-38 airplane from Tulsa to Havana, Cuba. On February 9, 1948, Browder was charged with conspiracy to smuggle arms from Florida to Cuba, arms which were destined for a revolution in the Dominican Republic against General Raphael Trujillo. A Cuban Government official was named as the instigator of the plot. In March 1948, he was charged with organizing and expedition against a friendly power, from Miami, Florida.

The judges in Miami and Tulsa gave Edward Browder probation, but the judge in Georgia gave him 18 months. Edward Browder served one year in prison and was released in September 1949. Edward Browder returned to Miami, then began to travel around America, getting arrested in 1951 in Los Angeles for bad checks, Denver in 1952 (Inv Fug), and in Tulsa in 1953 for bad checks. In 1954 Edward Browder was involved in PB SUCCESS and was not arrested in the United States that year. The son of Edward Browder, Joseph Browder, was contacted in July 1993. Joseph Browder: "He was one of the people who provided training and some operational support for the air part of the operation. My dad got shot down in that operation. And when the surviving members of the Jacobo Arbenz Government fled, they took some prisoners with them. My dad was in an unofficial prison that the Mexican Government let the Guatemalan exiles run in Mexico. My father was one of the people who worked for the Agency who wound up doing as much free lancing as he was doing Agency work. He spent many years in prison." Edward Browder returned to Miami in 1957 and worked with the 26th of July Movement. He was arrested three times that year.

In 1959 Edward Browder was arrested for possession of $136,000 worth of stolen securities. The FBI was informed by Gene Kligmann that Paul Stevens had attempted to sell his stolen bonds. The FBI contacted Paul Stevens who agreed to set Browder up. The FBI reported: "At approximately 11:05 a.m., March 2, 1959, Stevens and Browder arrived at Mr. Ford's office on the second floor of the First Federal Savings and Loan Bank in downtown Miami. Behind Ford's desk at the time was SA John P. Lenihan, who posed as Mr. Ford. Also in Ford's office at this time was SA Charles Edmiston, who posed as Stevens' contact, Tony, and SA Robert James Dwyer, who posed as Tony's principal, Mr. Martinez...During the course of the negotiations, SA Edminston asked Browder if his Canadian bonds were counterfeit, to which Browder replied, 'No, they sure aren't.' SA Edminston stated if the Canadian bonds were hot they believed they could probably get rid of them through their banking contacts in Cuba. To his, Browder replied, 'Uh, huh,' At one point in the negotiations Paul Stevens stated, referring to Browder's bonds, 'already got his bonds, whether they're hot, cold or indifferent, I don't know, I presume they are warm -- I figure they're a little on the warm side.' Browder did not reply to this comment, and in the course of the negotiations, admit the bonds were stolen." Browder was placed under arrest. The FBI found the telephone number off Morris Ernst in Browder's wallet. The law partner of Morris Ernst represented Frank Costello. [Thomas, E. The Man to See 1991 p92] The FBI also examined Browder's brief case and found more bonds along with a "cocked and load nine millimeter automatic." The FBI found Browder's passport and it indicated that he visited Italy and Zurich, Switzerland, on numerous occasions. The FBI reported: "En route to the FBI office, Browder made the statement he hoped there would be no publicity on his arrest because he pointed out the newspapers consider him a very colorful character and usually embellish his bouts with the law. He stated if he was immediately freed of this charge, the bonds were returned to him, and no publicity resulted from his arrest, he would be willing to cooperate to recover additional bonds. Special Agent Lenihan asked Browder how many additional bonds he thought he might be able to recover and his reply was that he had 80% to 85% chance of recovering $1,770,000.00 worth of Canadian bonds. Special Agent Lenihan queried Browder as to how he might draw out these additional bonds and Browder stated he would have to think about it for a while."

Browder told the FBI that he did not know that the bonds were 'hot.' Browder declined to state where he got the bonds. When Browder was shown photographs of the men suspected of having stolen the Canadian bonds Browder "examined these photographs rather flippantly and often made comments about several of them, ridiculing their facial characteristics, but would not admit being acquainted with them." When the FBI searched Browder's home on March 2, 1959, the FBI found a "contract between Edward Browder, Miami, Florida, President of the Caribbean Development Corporation, and Fidel Castro of the Revolutionary Force of the 26th of July, in which Browder agreed to deliver a 'certain quantity of material,' the material was not named, 'on the high seas,' amounting in value to $40,000."

Edward Browder claimed that the bonds did not come from the national crime syndicate. According to Edward Browder, the July 26th Movement had given him the stolen securities. The available evidence contradicted this. Edward Browder's associate, Paul Hickman, told the FBI that Vito Genovese, a nationally known hoodlum, had advised Edward Browder to "shut-up" about the origin of the bonds. Edward Browder told his business partner, Jesse Vickers, that "Cleveland mob people" were connected with the securities: "Browder mentioned that he was associated with some 'Cleveland people' who told him they did not want him to go to jail on this charge. Browder told Vickers he had told the 'Cleveland people' that Wilber [Browder's bail bondman] was pressing him for bond money and soon thereafter, the 'Cleveland people,' according to Browder, contacted Wilber to tell him not to bother Browder anymore regarding this matter." Jesse Vickers was arrested with Efren Pichardo in 1953.

In 1954 Efren Pichardo was indicted in Miami, Florida, and charged with conspiracy to ship 30 M-1 rifles to Cuba on behalf of Carlos Prio Soccarras. The charges were dropped after Efren Pichardo was indicted in New York, along with his boss, Carlos Prio Soccarras. Efren Pichardo's co-defendants in this case included Marcos Diaz Lanz and Jesse Vickers. Carlos Prio Soccarras had been indicted in December 1953 for the same offense. Contacted in April 1983, Efren Pichardo was in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where he worked as a bailiff: "I used to know Carlos Prio, yes. Did I know Edward Browder? I think I did, but it's been such a long time ago. Yeah, I knew FRANK STURGIS, I think I was in the revolution with him. Okay, what do you want to know, sir? Who are you?"

During Edward Browder's trial he was asked if he knew national crime syndicate member Sam Mannarino. Edward Browder: "I was introduced to him by one of Carlos Prio's followers, on the assumption that Mr. Mannarino was going to supply some money for arms for some of the Cubans involved in fighting against Batista. I understood that this money came from sources that had gambling concessions in Cuba or slot machines in Cuba that he was trying to protect in the event that Fidel Castro overthrew Batista."

Jose Aleman was a witness against Edward Browder. He was asked if he had any knowledge of an arms deal where Edward Browder had been paid in stocks and bonds by the 26th of July Movement. Jose Aleman, who met Edward Browder in 1951 when both men were involved in smuggling arms to Fidel Castro, answered that he did not.

In April 1960 Edward Browder was convicted on two counts of having received and concealed stolen bonds. He received a three year sentence from Judge Emmett Choate. Judge Choate gave Edward Browder a week to "tie up loose ends" before sending him to prison. Edward Browder disappeared on December 20, 1961. The FBI began a fugitive investigation in the course of which they subpoenaed Edward Browder's toll records. The FBI discovered Edward Browder was in close contact with Dominick Bartone. In late 1959 Dominick Bartone and Edward Browder formed the Aero Ordinance Corporation, which allegedly dealt in government surplus. When the FBI questioned Dominick Bartone at his office in the Pan American Bank Building, Miami, he stated he did not know where Browder might be located, but he added if he did know where Browder might be located he would not advise any law enforcement agency of Browder's whereabouts...Bartone pointed out that Browder had sued him in Federal Court in Miami in connection with money Bartone stated he owed Browder...Bartone pointed out he thought is was a very stupid thing for Browder to jump bond in this case since he only had a three year sentence to serve." [FBI Miami MM 87-8756 4.4.62 - Lenihan] Later in 1962 Edward Browder turned himself in and began serving his sentence.

A State Department airgram dated May 2, 1967, to the American Embassy, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, reported that on November 24, 1964, Edward Browder leased a military aircraft in the name of a fictitious company, flew the plane to Port-au-Prince, and left it there. The airgram reported that Edward Browder cashed a $24,000 check signed by Clemard Joseph Charles.

Edward Browder was interviewed by the HSCA in January 1978 at the Federal Penitentiary at MacNeill Island, Washington, where he was serving a 25-year sentence for securities violations. The HSCA reported: "During the interview Browder discussed a series of gun running and smuggling operations he was involved in during the 1960's that were intended to result in eventual overthrow, or assassination, of Fidel Castro. Browder said that his work included assistance by the CIA in the form of money and operations. Browder said that during that period he did purchase at least two B-25 planes to be used in 'smuggling operations' that would be used to assist the gun running and raids against Cuba. Browder said he could not recall where he bought the planes. However he said a man named Pedro Diaz Lanz flew one of the planes to him."

George DeMohrenschildt was linked to Clemard Joseph Charles, who was linked to Edward Browder. Edward Browder was linked with Pedro Diaz Lanz, who was linked to STURGIS and HUNT.

In 1978 I asked STURGIS if he knew Edward Browder. He answered he was "not sure."Joseph Browder told a reporter for the Miami News that his father had worked for STURGIS. When subpoenaed in the course of HUNT v. ajweberman, Joseph Browder denied having linked the men. Joe Browder: "My dad was paroled in the early 1990's and arrested shortly thereafter when he landed a plane in one of the Mexican border towns. He was accused of flying drugs from one part of Mexico to another - grass. They found microscopic marijuana traces. He was tortured by the Mexican Police, and he signed a confession. They stuck a 45 autoloader next to his ear and fired it and blew out one of his ear drums. The powder burn caused a cancer. He still has impressions on his legs from the cattle prods. He was in prison for a year, then exchanged back here. Our government modified his sentence under the sentencing guidelines to some outrageous number of years. He is out of prison now and living in Colorado. There were all sorts of people offering him deals to spring him from Mexico, but he would not talk about his associates. He is not someone who talks. He's still alive."

This researcher asked Joe Browder to put him in touch with his father. He contacted his father: "I spoke with dad. He had already read your book. He really enjoyed it. He's not giving you an interview. There's still too many people around who care. It's still not ancient history. It's not the CIA he is worried about..." The CIA's Office of Security files of Edward Browder were "inadvertently destroyed in 1979 after the moratorium was lifted."

On November 25, 1963, (deleted) advised "during the later 1940's he knew of a racketeer named 'Rubin' around Daytona Beach, Florida, but knew nothing concerning his activities. Pictures of RUBY appear similar to Rubin as he knew him then. Informant suggested the following people should have complete knowledge of Rubin: Mattie Tracy, Daytona, Florida, a bookie, gambler and prostitute procurer. Johnnie Whalen, Daytona. If Whalen is still living, he is probably a night club operator. M.T. Browning, Daytona, Police Department. Tom Johnson, former Chief of Police South Daytona Police Department. Informant advised above people, particularly Whalen and Tracy, were buddies of Batista of Cuba when Batista in this country." [FBI Atlanta 44-1559-2]

Norman "Rough-house" Rothman was born December 26, 1914, in the Bronx, New York and died of a heart attack on October 13, 1985, (201-272,262; OS #354 878). He was the son of Rumanian immigrants, both U.S. citizens.On December 26, 1936, he married Ethel Hurwitz. On September 29, 1941, Norman Rothman was an applicant for Naval Intelligence. On March 14, 1945, joined the United States Army. Norman Rothman was arrested in 1948 in Miami Beach on a charge of bookmaking. In 1951 Norman Rothman came to the attention of the Senator Estes Kefauver and was arrested several times on gambling violations. In December 1952 Rothman was charged with operating a gambling house in the Hotel Albion in Miami Beach, Florida. In 1952 he moved to Cuba and managed the San Souci Casino with SANTO TRAFFICANTE Jr. In 1956 Norman Rothman was charged with Interstate Transportation of Gambling devices when the FBI intercepted a shipment of his slot machines on their way to Cuba. The charges were dropped after the machines were destroyed. Rothman told U.S. Attorney Guilmartin that "he had no intention whatsoever of violating Federal law and that it was his thought that he was permitted to send the equipment out of the country if he so desires."

Sam Mannerino was involved with this shipment. Norman Rothman had become the slot machine king of Havana and was busily dividing up the rest of Cuba among follow gangsters like Mannarino. The FBI reported: "Rothman's gambling activities in Cuba reportedly were backed by the Mannacine brothers from New Kensington, Pennsylvania, (deleted), all LCN figures."

Norman Rothman became the slot-king machine king of Cuba by going into partnership with the brother-in-law of Fulgencio Batista. The CIA reported "During the Batista regime Rothman was supervisor of slot machines in Camaguey province under the national supervisor, Alberto Ardura Moya, who was also one of the owners of the Tropicana nightclub in Havana." By 1956 Norman Rothman had a controlling interest in the Tropicana Casino. In 1958, Alberto Ardura awarded Rothman the concession to operate slot machines in Oriente and Camaguey Provinces in Cuba. Adura told the FBI that in early 1959 he fled Cuba and came to Florida. He had about 300,000 Cuban pesos of his own, and had access to an aggregate of eight million Cuban pesos belonging to Mrs. Fulgencio Batista. Adura was an associate of General Roberto Fernandez Miranda, who was the brother-in-law of Batista. The CIA 20l file on Norman Rothman reflected that he first came to CIA attention in 1958 when he was residing in Dallas, Texas.

In 1958 Norman Rothman spent considerable time in the United States. On May 3, 1958, $13.5 million in registered bonds, bearer bonds, cash and jewelry was stolen from Brockville Trust and Savings Company, Brockville, Ontario, Canada, by Rene Martin and four companions. Beside the open vault police discovered Rene Martin's bankbook. When Martin was arrested police found a key on his person that opened a lock with the rest of the registered bonds taken in the heist. Martin did not reveal the names of his accomplices and was sentenced to twelve years in prison. Montreal investigators focused on Rene Martin's associate, Giuseppe (Pepe) Cotroni, eastern Canadian rackets figure. When narcotics agents seized Cotroni, they found $10,000 worth of the bonds.

In August 1958, Nick Jerome, an associate of Norman Rothman, contacted Jose Aleman "late at night and said that it was urgent for Aleman to come with Jerome. Aleman accompanied Jerome in a car to Rothman's residence in Surfside, Florida. Rothman had several hundred Cuban pesos in various denominations. Rothman stated that these pesos were 'phonies.' He proposed that Cuba be flooded with a quantity of these pesos in order to destroy the Cuban economy and hasten the downfall of the Batista Government. Aleman stated that these Cuban pesos looked authentic to him, and that some appeared to be well-worn pesos. Rothman claimed that some of these pesos had been aged to make them look authentic. Rothman said that he would provide millions of such pesos to the 26th of July Movement in return for a small percentage. Aleman, who was not in the 26th of July Movement which was headed by Fidel Castro, told Rothman he would contact appropriate revolutionary leaders to see if they were interested in Rothman's proposition. Aleman sent word to Jose Lanusa, Chief of the 26th of July Revolutionary Movement in Miami, who rejected to proposal. No one else was interested."

Jose Antonio Lanusa was an associate of Edward Browder. [FBI Miami 87-8756 2.23.62 George E. Davis] This was the same Lanusa who has been mucking about with the DRE in previous nodules.

On October 14, 1958, about 317 weapons were stolen from a National Guard Armory at Canton, Ohio. On November 4, 1958, a plane load of guns piloted by Stuart Sutor of Hialeah, Florida, was tracked on radar by the Border Patrol flying from Pennsylvania to West Virginia where the soldier-of-fortune was arrested. The weapons stolen in Ohio were recovered.

What had happened behind the scenes was this: Controni contacted Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino, racket figures in New Kensington, Pennsylvania. Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino contacted Norman Rothman who rented a plane for $6,000 to run the guns, and contacted Joseph Merola, a close associate of Carlos Prio. Merola's job was to fly to Pittsburgh to contact Gabriel and Samuel Mannarino's boys about shipping guns to Cuba.

Rothman lined up William W. Rabin to handle the finances. Rabin set up a Swiss Bank account and posted the stolen securities as collateral for a loan. [Miami Herald 3.13.60] Others involved included Austin Young, who was in contact with Rabin and Rothman, and Paul Bert Hickman, an associate of Edward Browder.

Joseph Raymond Merola (201-257804 born October 9, 1925), was a gun-running pilot linked to Edward Browder. Joseph Merola served in the Marines from 1941 to 1945. In the late 1950's he ran arms to Fidel Castro. The CIA described him as a "fast dealer with connections at all levels in many foreign countries. His information is usually very good. He was Batista's personal pilot and was right next to Fidel Castro at the time of the take over." In March 1959 Joseph Merola was involved in an invasion of Panama from Cuba. In May 1959 he was involved in a plot to counterfeit Cuban currency. In February 1961 he was restricted to the Miami area following his conviction on charges of theft of arms from a National Guard Armory. On February 15, 1964, a cleared police contact advised the CIA that three men who had been caught stealing dynamite claimed it was stolen on behalf of Kubarker Joseph R. Merola. The CIA declared that Joseph Merola was not an agent, only a informant: "In an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961." In November 1972 Joseph Merola began serving a one year sentence for petty larceny in New York City. In November 1974 Joseph Merola was indicted by a Los Angeles County Grand Jury for stock manipulation and fraud. In December 1974 PHILLIPS sent a telex to an unnamed component about Joseph Merola:

1. Regarding Joseph Raymond Merola [201-257804] U.S. citizen please inform (Deleted) the following: Joseph Raymond Merola, an occasional contact of our overt office in Miami since 1961, periodically provides that office with foreign positive intelligence information. It is suggested that (Deleted) be contacted for additional information.

2. (Deleted) Headquarters informed (Deleted) June 1974 that Merola was of operational interest. They requested traces and stated he reportedly worked for (Deleted) in late 1950's. We replied that Mr. Merola had never worked for (Deleted) although we were aware that he had made such claims on number of previous instances.

3. Headquarters relaying for Station use only 20664, January 11, 1974 ,and Director 502254, January 17, 1974, which reports derogatory information on Merola.

4. Merola being processed in the ISR as (Deleted) source. Will advise when registration completed.

5. Please advise local (Deleted) Orlando Batista Viera's occupation as detective is included in category whose operational use is prohibited throughout the intelligence community and ISR policy precludes his registration. However, emphasize to (Deleted) that this fact not intended to prohibit their use of the Subject. Batista will be recorded as contact of (Deleted) in (Deleted) files in case any other U.S. Government agency expresses operational interest. (Deleted) Headquarters is being informed of above.

6. The following may be past to (Deleted). Batista was born July 10, 1933, Havana, Cuba. Was in Cuban Navy. Arrived in U.S. in early 1960's as exile. Subject was in prison several months in 1959 in Cuba accused of being member of Batista's Armed Forces and having idea opposed to Castro revolution, subsequently released. Subject of operational interest to (Deleted) in 1963 to 1964; interest dropped in 1964 and Subject terminated without prejudice. Ask (Deleted) to refer to (Deleted) for more info on Subject.

7. FYI only: POA granted 1963 for Subject's use in PM boat operations; however, POA canceled when he claimed he was unable satisfactorily treat his seasickness. In 1964 Subject interviewed by (Deleted) in Los Angeles, California, regarding group of Cubans in Miami involved in drug operations. Subject revealed his (Deleted) connections to FBI.

8. File: 200-11-11/19; 201-740127; 201-257804.

*Requested priority traces on Merola and Batista. (Deleted) Sources and register in ISR.

(DCD/OSS (Telecoord) December 6, 1974.

Unit: LA/NARC/LA/CAR DAVID A PHILLIPS C/LA LA/NARC (Deleted) DDO/NARCO (Deleted) LOSN/ISR (Deleted) C/LA/CAR.

The CIA considered using Merola as a source of information on developments in Beirut. [JM WAVE Cable 2.15.64; CIA Index Cards on Merola - type is so small it is unreadable; MFR 12.2.74 9-28-49; To: Director Domestic Contacts Service. From: Chief, Miami Field Office 11.20.72 MIN-181-72; Outgoing Message 630872]

Joseph Merola reported to Herbert J. Miller of the Criminal Division of the Justice Department.

On January 2, 1959, Norman Rothman flew to Havana. On March 27, 1959, Rothman was charged with violating the National Firearms Act. On April 9, 1959, Rothman was arrested for violation of the National Stolen Property Act in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and on June 30, 1959, Rabin, Controni, Rene Robert, Sam Marrarino and Norman Rothman were indicted in United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division for arms smuggling and stolen securities charges. [59CR374 Luis Kutner, Counsel] In July 1959 Rothman was charged with interstate transportation of stolen property and conspiracy. S.A. George Davis of the FBI observed Rothman when he left for Mexico from Miami on December 10, 1959, in the company of Richardo Madan Rivas, a gun-smuggler. In late 1959 Norman Rothman helped Fulgencio Batista establish headquarters at the Biltmore Terrace Hotel on Miami Beach. Norman Rothman managed the Biltmore Terrace. His associates included Rolando Masferrer and Orlando Piedra. At this time Norman Rothman supplied anti-Castro groups with stolen arms.

Rothman was convicted in February 1960 with others attempting to smuggle guns stolen from a National Guard Armory in Ohio to Cuba, and received a five year prison term and $10,000 fine. [FBI HO 165-689]

Sam Mannarino was interviewed by S.A. John S. Portella, who had been acquainted with Sam Mannarino for the past ten years: "Mannarino predicted that 30 days after Merola is released from Federal Prison, he will be murdered. Mannarino stated that he wanted the record to show that he himself was no