Title: GENERAL GUIDELINES

Author: n/a
Pages: 64
Agency: HSCA
RIF#: 180-10118-10142
Subjects: TRAFFICANTE, SANTOS
Source: n/a
 Date:08/20/93
Page:1
JFK ASSASSINATION SYSTEM

IDENTIFICATION FORM

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY HSCA
RECORD NUMBER 180-10118-10142

RECORDS SERIES
TRANSCRIPTS AND STENO TAPES OF IMMUNIZED EXECUTIVE SESSION..

AGENCY FILE NUMBER

DOCUMENT INFORMATION
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ORIGINATOR HSCA
FROM
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TITLE
GUIDELINES
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DOCUMENT TYPE OTHER TEXTUAL

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o CURRENT STATUS P
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COMMENTS
Folder title Trafficante Guidelines & Areas of Questions
Box 16

[R] ITEM IS RESTRICTED

 GENERAL GUIDELINES

Do NOT refer in any manner to the fact that

Mr Trafficante has testified in executive session before

the Committee We have an agreement with Mr Trafficante

that his appearance would not be made public without first

consulting with him We will have consulted with Mr

Trafficante's attorney on Tuesday concerning reference to

the executive session testimony We will inform you at the

hearing of whether or not it is permissible to refer to the

executive session testimony Please do not refer to it

without first checking that it is appropriate to do so

If Mr Trafficante claims the Fifth Amendment

the Committee does have an immunity order to serve upon him

It should be recalled that this is only use immunity and

merely prohibits his testimony and information derived from

it from being used in any prosecution against him It does

not prevent prosecution of him

If Mr Trafficante does not appear at all

but rather his attorney brings a "doctor's note, it would

be appropriate for the Committee to state that they will check

the validity of this doctor's note by having an independent

doctor examine Mr Trafficante and the Committee will reserve

the decision as to whether to call him in the future

4 Since Chairman Stokes will be doing the

questioning of Mr Trafficante Congressman Preyer will

assume the Chair to rule on any objections by Mr Trafficante

or his attorney
AREAS OF QUESTIONS

I Trafficante in Cuba prior to 1960

A Ownership in Casinos Pre-Castro

how much did Trafficante lose

reaction of casino owners to Castro takeover

who had interests in Cuba

B Trafficante's being jailed by Castro

Why

Circumstances of release

Trips to Cuba after release and return to United States

II Trafficante Participated in Castro Assassination Plots and

Other Anti-Castro Activities

Relationship with

John Roselli
Reputed organized crime figure who
operated in the Las Vegas area and
represented Sam Giancana's interests

Sam Giancana
Reputed organized crime head of the
Chicago area in the 1950's and 1960's

Robert Maheu
Former FBI agent who subsequently became a
private investigator and was the CIA contact
man in the organization of the CIA-Mafia
plots

"X
Cuban official to be used in the CIA
Mafia plots to administer the poison
pills to Castro

IT WILL BE NECESSARY TO USE CODE LETTERS FOR SOME INDIVIDUALS

SINCE THEIR NAMES ARE STILL CLASSIFIED BY THE CIA OR THEY
ARE STILL ALIVE AND REVEALING THEIR IDENTITY MIGHT POSE A THREAT
TO THEM
 2

y,
Cuban exile leader active in anti-Castro
activities and involved in the CIA-Mafia plots

Fully explore role in plots More than a mere "interpreter

as Trafficante has claimed

Aid or assistance to anti-Castro exiles living in the

United States

1965 trip to Spain AMLASH

Cuban official active in a CIA operation
also designated as AMLASH which was
designed to assassinate Castro

III Trafficante as Member of "Organized Crime

(Hypothesis If Trafficante would try to kill Castro

because of vast amount of money he lost in Cuba
would he attempt to kill Kennedy because of large
sums of money and harassment caused by organized
crime crackdown?)

Association with

Carlos Marcello
Reputed organized crime head of the New
Orleans area RFK deported Marcello in the
early 1960's

Joseph Colombo
Reputed former organized crime leader of
one of the New York families attended
the La Stella Restaurant gathering which
occurred on September 22 1966

Thomas Eboli
Reputed organized crime figure from New York
who attended the La Stella Restaurant gather
ing

Joseph Stassi
Organized crime figure from New York who was
active in operating various casinos in the
late 1950's had a share in the San Souci
Casino in Havana along with Santo Trafficante
 3

Vito Genovese
Reputed organized crime figure from New
York City who attended the Apalachin
meeting in New York which occurred in
November 14 1957

Carmine Galante
Reputed organized crime figure from New
York who attended the Apalachin meeting

John Ormento
Reputed organized crime figure from New
York who attended the Apalachin meeting

James Henry Dolan

Active in criminal activities in the 1950's
and early 1960's in the Dallas Texas area
associate of Jack Ruby allegedly worked in
a few operations for Santo Trafficante

Jackie Cerone
Reputed organized crime figure from New York
observed several times with Santo Trafficante in
the Miami area

Knowledge of Robert Kennedy's crackdown on Organized

Crime surveillance program

Discussions with Marcello re Kennedy

Association with

Jose Aleman
Son of the powerful and wealthy Minister
of Education of the Cuban Government whose
name is Jose Aleman Sr strong anti-Castro
activist

Frank Regano
Attorney who represented Jimmy Hoffa Frank
Chavez a Puerto Rican Teamster official and
Santo Trafficante

Business dealings with Aleman and Teamsters

 4

Alleged remark made to Aleman about "hitting the

President

IV Possible Trafficante-Ruby Connection

Did Ruby see Trafficante in jail possibly accompanied

by McWillie

British journalist John Wilson Hudson story

Fully explore other jail associates possibility casino

owners used couriers (Ruby for Trafficante?) to get

money out of Cuba after Castro's takeover

Relationship of McWillie to Trafficante

 BASIS FOR QUESTIONING

Mr Trafficante's Activities in Cuba

Prior to 1960

It is significant to determine his activities in

Cuba and his relationship with the Cuban government so that

an assessment may be made as to why Mr Trafficante would

participate in assassination plots against Fidel Castro

His relationship with a Cuban official and a Cuban exile leader is

important since it is believed that these individuals

participated in some of the anti-Castro plots His associates

in jail are relevant both because they may have had a motive

to participate in anti-Castro plots and it is possible that

Jack Ruby visited the jail during his stay in Cuba

Participation in Assassination Plots

Mr Trafficante's participation in the plots is

relevant to the Committee It would establish he had the

means to kill a national leader and his motivation for

doing so is very important His relationships with Mr

Roselli and Mr Giancana are of interest since they not

only knew of the Castro assassination plots but were

 2

members of organized crime Organized crime may have had an

independent motive to kill either Castro or Kennedy or both

Mr Trafficante's participation with anti-Castro exiles

living in the United States also relates to possible activities

that may have been undertaken against either Castro or

Kennedy

Knowledge of the Kennedy Administration's

Proposed Crackdown on Organized Crime

Mr Trafficante's awareness of Attorney General

Kennedy's crackdown on organized crime is extremely relevant

to the Committee Mr Trafficante himself was a target of

this program and we will be inquiring as to his dealings with

several other individuals who were targets of the program

or associates of people who were targets This line of

questioning is highly relevant as establishing a possible

motive for Mr Trafficante to kill President Kennedy given the

effect the Attorney General's program had on organized crime

In particular Mr Trafficante will be questioned about

Mr Aleman's testimony that Mr Aleman heard Mr Trafficante

say that President Kennedy "would be hit.

Exploration in Depth of a Possible

Ruby/Trafficante meeting or Ruby/Trafficante
Affiliation

This area of questions will concentrate on Mr

Trafficante's jailing in Cuba and his relationship with

 3

Mr Lewis McWillie It has been alleged by John Wilson

Hudson that an "American gangster-type named Ruby or

Rubenstein met Mr Trafficante when Mr Trafficante was

in jail Furthermore independent sources the Committee

has obtained access to have indicated that this meeting

is possible Mr Lewis McWillie is an acknowledged

associate of Jack Ruby and his relationship with Mr

Trafficante must be explored in detail

 IF MR TRAFFICANTE ASKS ABOUT
ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE

Response to any question about electronic

surveillance should be

No question you will be asked in this hearing

is based upon any electronic surveillance as to which

you have standing to object

 BIOGRAPHY

SANTOS TRAFFICANTE Jr

Santos Trafficante Jr has been the reputed Cosa Nostra

chieftain in Florida for twenty years with home bases in the

cities of Tampa and Miami and has been involved during that

time in gambling and narcotics in Cuba and Florida

A measure of Trafficante's stature as a high-ranking

member of organized crime can be gleaned from his appearance in

1957 as a "delegate to the Appalachian crime convention and in

1966 in New York at a special meeting of top bosses of the

Commission In 1962 Attorney General Robert Kennedy designated

Trafficante as one of his top hoodlum targets

Upon the death of his father Santo Trafficante Sr. in

1954 the junior Trafficante assumed control of the lucrative

numbers and gambling business in Central Florida and became

heavily involved in various gambling casinos in Havana including

the Sans Souci and Tropicana with his organized crime associates

Meyer Lansky Norman Rothman and Carlos Marcello During the

pinnacle of the mob's activities in Cuba Trafficante developed

a network of Cuban friends and associates and maintained many of

these relationships after his deportation from Havana in 1959

Thus it was a logical and necessary step for John Roselli through

Sam Giancana to approach Trafficante for his approval and assist

ance in cooperating with the CIA in a series of assassination

plots which extended from late 1960 through March 1963 All
Santos Trafficante Biog 2

available sources indicate that the operatives sent to Cuba

under CIA auspices to murder Castro were connections of Santo

Trafficante Jr

Considerable evidence exists that Trafficante maintained

his personal connections with anti-Castro Cuban groups whose

activities consisted of supplying arms and munitions to rebel

groups and trafficking in narcotics from the island to the U.S

These operations involving Cuban plots continued through November

1963 and several sources have asserted that President Kennedy

was assassinated by Trafficante-sponsored Cubans who were

"turned-around by Castro

Following the assassination of President Kennedy Trafficante

maintained his contacts with both Giancana and Roselli and

various intelligence reports indicate that Trafficante may have

been involved in the brutal murder of John Roselli in Florida

in August 1976
 Mr Trafficante prior to the commencement of

your testimony I believe I should inform you of some

facts which you may already be aware of This Committee

has received much information about the subjects we will

be examining you upon We have made two trips to Cuba

and received information from the current Cuban government

In this country we have interviewed or taken statements

under oath from many of the people we will be asking you

questions about I inform you of these facts because the

Committee today wants nothing from you except the complete

and truthful testimony you may give us on the subjects

we will be inquiring about

 _ C06A o+Z-.-"o 9 60
pRi

Q For the record would you state

your name

Q Where are you currently living

Q Where were you born

Q When

Q During the period 1957 and 1958

where were you living

Q When did you move to Cuba

Q During 19 to 1959 did you

travel between the U.S and Cuba

How How Often

Q What was your business or

employment in Cuba during 1957 and

1958

Q You were in the gambling business In gambling business EST

(Executive Session Testimony)
Is that correct p 31
Page 2

E.S.T
Q You owned pieces of several p 34 (some 5% shares some
10% shares)
casinos in Cuba Correct

Q What casinos did you have an A Trafficante will probably

interest in claim question is not pertinent

and refuse to answer /Consider

inserting in record:FBI memo shows

ownership of Casinos according

to confidential source Also

interviews with Cuban officials7

Q Did you have any interest

directly or indirectly as owner

or operator of the Sans Souci Capri

Deauville Tropicana

Q Where your partners Americans or A Primarily Cubans E.S.T.p.34

Cubans

Q Did you purchase an interest

in the casinos When

Q How much did your investment A Will probably refuse to

cost when you invested it answer the question as "not

pertinent.
Page 3

Q During 1957 and 1958 did you A Paid 50% of slots to

pay money to Cuban officials to government and $25,000 a year

maintain operation of your casino to government under Batista

How much (E.S.T 48)

Q Did you know Raphael Gener A Yes E.S.T p 40

while in Cuba How Did you

meet him while in Cuba

Q Did you know Joseph Stassi A Partner of Trafficante in

How Sans Souci

Q In late 1958 what was the

effect of the unrest caused by

Fidel Castro on the tourist and

gambling interests

Q Did you or other casino owners

and operators feel there was a

threat of confiscation of your

property by Castro
Page 4

Q Did you take any steps to try to

prevent Mr Castro's takeover

Q Prior to Fidel Castro's taking A McWillie testified in

over did you or other casino owners deposition p 99 that he

attempt to remove some assets frequently went to Miami 1955

money from Havana If so how 1961 to deposit money in bank

for the Foxes owners of

Tropicana

Q Did you meet Fidel or Raoul

Castro prior to January 1 1959

Q When Fidel Castro took over how

soon did he order the casinos to

close

Q What was his attitude toward

the casino owners and operators

What did you do

Q Did you contact anyone in A Yes Raphel Gener

E.S.T p 43
authority to see if they could help

you out Did you contact Raphel Gener

Q Did you continue to operate your A Trafficante went into

business as usual hiding E.S.T p 46

 Page 5

Q Were you detained or imprisoned A Yes E.S.T p 49

after Castro took over

Q Where were you detained A Trescornia E.S.T p 49

Q Mr Trafficante could you

please look at JFK Exhibit No

a sketched map of the prison we

received on one of this Committee's

investigative trips to Cuba

Is it accurate Where were you

imprisoned Where were other

people imprisoned etc

Q When were you imprisoned and A June 8 August 18 1959

for how long

Q Why A Rufused to reopen casinos

and pay employees wages for

period of time casino was

closed Castro's way of

"busting owners E.S.T.p 47

Q Were other casino owners and

operators detained or imprisoned as

well Jake Lansky Dino Cellini

 Page 6

Q Did you contact anyone to A Gener E.S.T p 44

assist you in getting out of prison

Who What relationship

Q Were the other casino owners and A Yes according to tape

operators released about the same interview of Cuban jailer

time (possibility payoff owners
by

to Castro?)

Q Did you have to pay any money A /Bartone said he "heard

to be released that Trafficante paid $l,000,,OQC

to Castro government/

Q Did Raoul Castro have anything A Yes Thanked him at

to do with your release Have you Hilton E.S.T p 20

heard that he did

Q Did you remain in Cuba

Q Did you feel the economy of

Cuba at this time was a good

investment to keep your investment

in
 Page 7

Q After your release from

prison did you ever meet Raoul

or Fidel Castro

Q The casinos were open again

after you were released from jail

Is that correct

Q Did you feel that there was the

chance the government would confis

cate your money or assets at less

than their fair value

Q Did any of the casino owners

that you knew attempt to get their

assets out of Cuba If so how

Could they take it out of the

country themselves

Q Did you attempt to remove any

money or assets from Cuba after

your release from detention

 Page 8

Q When did you leave Cuba after

being released from prison

Q Did you return to Cuba after A Yes went back for 2-3

this When Why How long months to see if he could

salvage any assets (E.S.T

55)

Q When was the last time you were

in Cuba

Q How much money would you A Trafficante will probably

estimate you lost in your invest refuse to answer as not

ments in casinos as a result of pertinent

Fidel Castro's takeover Might insert in record

fact that Mr Ricardo Escartin

current Cuban counsel and 1st

Secretary in Washington told

the Committee that records

indicate for example that

the net profit of the Riviera

Hotel was $25 million dollars

in 1958

Q Where did you live after you

left Cuba
 II CIA-MAFIA PLOTS
AND ANTI-CASTRO ACTIVITIES

Before we begin the examination

in the area of the assassination

plots against Castro I want to

state this for the record Prior to

beginning your testimony today the

Committee discussed with you the

identities of two persons who were

involved in the plots To protect

their identities from public

exposure an agreement has been made

with you to refer to them as Mr X

and Mr "Y. Please remember this

in responding to any question

Q Mr Trafficante when was the A 1960 (E.S.T 9)

first time you were ever approached

by any individual who was affiliated

or working for the Central Intelli

gence Agency
Q Where was this approach made A Miami Fontainbleu Hotel
E.S.T p 9

Q Who first contacted you A Roselli John E.S.T p 9

Q How did you know Mr Roselli

Q Ever have any business with A None before the plots

E.S.T p 22
him

Q Did he have any business

interests in Cuba

Q When did you first meet him

Q How often did you speak with A Saw him only a few times

him over a 20 year period

E.S.T p 23

Q Why did you think he was with

the CIA
Q Was this a personal meeting A Yes

Q What was the substance of the A Eliminate Castro E.S.T.

conversation p 9

Q Was anyone else present at A Maheu 10

E.S.T.,p
this meeting

Q What did Mr Maheu indicate to A Representative of the

you his role was with respect to U S Government E.S.T. p

this operation 13

Q What was your reaction to

discussions concerning killing

Castro

Q Why do you think you were

approached

Q This was a very sensitive

operation Mr Roselli obviously

trusted you Correct

Q What other meetings occurred

which you participated in relating

to this operation
Q When did they occur

Q What was the total time span

of the operation of these plots

Q Was anyone else ever present at A Yes Trafficante describes

these meetings other meetings he attended

where Rafael Gener Mr "Y,

Q Who and other Cubans were present

E.S.T. p 14

Q Which meetings

Q Was the elimination of Castro

the only operation or project

discussed

Q Was Sam Giancana in the Miami A Yes 16

E.S.T. p
area during the time in which these

meetings occurred

Q Did you have any contact with A Yes 16

E.S.T. p
Sam Giancana during this time

Q Where When
Q Was Giancana present for any A No E.S.T. p 15

of the meetings you attended in

regard to eliminating Castro

Q Was he aware of these plots to A Yes E.S.T. p 16

eliminate Castro

Q How did he become aware Was A Roselli told him E.S.T.

he involved in any capacity in these p 16

plots

Q Do you know if Giancana directed

Roselli to contact you in regard

to this operation

Q Why did Roselli contact you

Q How did you know this operation A Maheu told him E.S.T.

had CIA backing p 13 He Maheu was

working for the CIA

Q During the plots what was A Interpreter E.S.T p.10

your involvement to be

Q What would you be interpreting

Q Between which persons were you A Gener Roselli E.S.T.

p 26
to serve as interpreter

Q What was Mr Gener's role to

be

Q You have told us that you knew A Yes E.S.T. p 12

Mr Gener personally from Cuba Is

that correct

Q How often would you see him

when you were living in Miami

Q Who brought Mr Gener into this A Roselli E.S.T. p 11

operation
Q You have told us you knew Mr

Gener from living in Cuba and that

Roselli had no Cuban business

interests In Cuba you said you

asked Mr Gener to help you out of

jail How did Mr Roselli come to

know Mr Gener

Q Aren't you the person who knew

the activi 4i in the Cuban

community and not Mr Roselli

Q Do you know who I am referring

to when I say "Mr "Y please

do not say who it is just indicate

if you know who it is

4 Did you ever meet him in Cuba

Q When was the first time you met

him

Q How many times had you met

him prior to these meetings

Q Who brought Mr "Y into the A /1967 IC3 says Trafficante
brought him in p 27/
plots

Q What was Mr "Y"'s role to be A Contact other Cubans who

could arrange the assassina

tion

Q Do you know if Mr "Y spoke

both Spanish and English during

1961

Q What was to be the method of A Poison pills 1967

eliminating Castro CIA Inspector General's Report

Q Who first proposed this idea (NO PREVIOUS TESTIMONY CON

CERNING THE METHOD OF ASSAS

Q Were any pills ever given to SINATION FROM TRAFFICANTE)

anyone Where When

Q How many pills were involved

Q Who supplied the pills for the

operation

Q Who was to administer the pills

to Castro

Q How

Q Was any money discussed If

so how much Was it actually

paid

Q In connection with this A Maheu and Roselli told the

operation was anyone supplied any Cubans involved that they

arms and ammunition would get all the equipment

and tools they needed E.S.T.

p 15

Q Who What When

Q Do you know who I am referring

to when I say Mr "X please

do not say who it is just indicate

if you know who it is

Q Do you know or know of Mr "X" (No previous testimony)

Q Did you ever meet him

Q What is your relationship to

him

Q Was Mr "X involved in these A 1967 I.G says Trafficante

plots contacted Mr "X to recruit

him as a potential assassin

p 25

Q How did Mr "X come to be

involved

Q Do you know if Mr "X spoke

both Spanish and English

Q You have told us Mr Roselli

had no interests in Cuba and you

knew Mr "X while living in

Cuba Didn't you get Mr "X

involved in these plots

Q Did you ever handle or carry A CIA Support Chief gave the

the poison pills to be used in the pills to Roselli who gave them

assassination of Castro to Trafficante They then

arrived safely in Cuba to

Mr "X (1967 IG Report

p )

Q Did Roselli ever give you the

poison pills

Who did give them to (No previous testimony)

Q you

Q What happened to these pills

Q Was an actual attempt made to

administer them to Castro

Q Why did the operation fail

receive for A No E.S.T p 25

Q Did you any money

your participation in the plots

Q Was there any girl involved

in this operation
Q Do you know Jean Salvat

Nature Extent

Q Did Mr Giancana ever mention

her to you

Q Did she ever travel to Cuba

during 1961 Why

Q Was she aware of the assassina

tion plots
Q Mr Trafficante you were

approached to help assassinate

Primier Castro because you had the

means to kill the head of a state

Isn't that correct

/If answer is yes let it stand

if no:/

But you did know the persons

who had the means you did have

some association with them and

you did participate in the plots

is that correct

Mr Trafficante in 1967 1971 The September 7 1976 issue

1976 and 1977 columist Jack Ander of The Washington Post con

son wrote about the CIA-Mafia tains one of Anderson's

plots and the possibility that articles entitled "Behind

Castro decided to kill President John F Kennedy's Murder

Kennedy in retaliation Mr which fully explains Ander

Anderson even contends that the son's position

same persons involved in the CIA

Mafia attempts on Castro's life were

recruited by Castro to kill

President Kennedy
Q Do you have any information ( No previous testimony)

concerning such a retaliatory

action by Castro

Q Do you have any knowledge con

cerning how this information was

transmitted to Mr Anderson

Q Did Mr Roselli ever discuss

such retaliatory action by Castro

with you

Q When was the last time you

saw Mr Roselli prior to his

death Where

Q What did you discuss

Q Who else was present

Q How long did you know Sam A 20-25 years E.S.T. p 27

Giancana
Q What was your relationship A Social E.S.T. p 27

Q During the course of knowing

him how often would you see him

Q When was the last time you saw

him

Q Why did you participate in the A Patriotism E.S.T.,p 25

operation against Castro

Q Were you at all motivated by

the fact that Castro had imprisoned

you and caused you to lose vast

sums of money by your losing your

casino interests

Q Did you inform any other people

of the plot against Castro besides

those involved in them at the time

of the plots

Q Do you have any knowledge that

Castro learned of these plots

and the fact that the CIA sponsored

them before the death of President

Kennedy
 Mr Trafficante at this point ( No previous testimony)

I would like to explore your know

ledge of the persons and activities

of the persons involved during the

early 1960's in the anti-Castro

movement

Q Mr Trafficante did you know A (Carlos Prio former

Carlos Prio Soccares President of Cuba before

Bastista)

Q During what years

Q What was your relationship

Business Social

Q Mr Trafficante did you know A (Evelio Duque Cuban

an Evelio Duque exile leader who helped

direct the Escambray Front

an anti-Castro group)

Q During what years What

was your relationship Social

Business
Q Mr Trafficante does it Based on a FBI report

refresh your recollection to recall

a series of incidents in June and

July 1963 where Dominick Bartone

representing your interests met

with Luis Balbuena who was repre

senting Evelio Duque in an attempt

to supply arms and ammunition to

Duque /If yes extent and result/

Q Do you recall any times you A No E.S.T. p 56

either directly or indirectly

assisted any anti-Castro groups

or activities / Other than the

Mafia plots/

Q If so when Who was involved

Q Did you know Luis Balbuena A (Luis Balbuena Cuban

involved in anti-Castro

activities associated with

Duque)

Q During what years

Q What was your relationship

Q Mr Trafficante do you know A Knew of him but never met

Dominick Bartone him E.S.T. p 86

(Dominick Bartone organized

crime figure from Toledo

Ohio who supplied arms and

ammunition to various groups

Q During what years associated with Hoffa)

Q What was your relationship

Q Did Dominick Bartone ever work A Probably will say no

for you or represent your interests (FBI report of July 1963

in any manner indicates that Bartone did

represent him)

Q Do you have any knowledge of

Dominick Bartone supplying any

arms or ammunition to any Cuban

exile group
Q Mr Trafficante do you know A Yes E.S.T. p 53

Gisseppi Banco

Nature Extent

Q Did Mr Banco assist you while A Yes E.S.T. p 53

you were detained in Cuba

Q Mr Trafficante do you know A (Garcia Bongo Cuban

Garcia Bongo lawyer who allegedly assisted

/Purpose explore possible Trafficante in getting out

Bongo-Trafficante relationship of Cuba travelled to Madrid

Indicates AMLASH may have been Spain in 1965 told the

insecure very early Also possible CIA in Madrid that he was

mob independent of CIA attempts arrested in 1962 in Cuba for

to kill Castro./ representing Trafficante in

1959)

Q During what years

Q What is the nature of your

relationship

Q Did Mr Bongo ever represent

you in 1959 concerning your efforts

to leave Cuba
Q Bongo was arrested in 1962 in

Cuba allegedly for representing you

in 1959 Is that correct

Q Has Bongo ever represented you

at anytime besides for the purpose

just discussed

Q Do you have any knowledge of

Bongo travelling to Madrid Spain

during the 1960's

If yes what was the purpose

When Where did he go How long

Who did he see

Q Do you know the person AMLASH A (Cuban oHiC iai L,2R,folved

a Cuban official involved in a CIA in the CIA AMLASH operation)

operation also called AMLASH

which was designed to kill

Castro

Q Please do not reveal his

identity but how did you learn

of it
Q Did you know AMLASH

Q During what years did you know

AMLASH

Q What was the nature of the

relationship

Q Did AMLASH ever represent your

interests or assist you in any

manner

/If Trafficante is familiar with

AMLASH/

Q Do you know if Castro was aware

of the AMLASH plot prior to

President Kennedy's death

Q Mr Trafficante do you know if

AMLASH knew Mr Bongo

Q What was the nature of their

relationship
Q Do you have any knowledge of

AMLASH travelling to Madrid Spain

in 1964 1965 or 1966

Q Did Mr Bongo ever mention such A No

a trip by AMLASH to you

Q If yes what was the purpose

of AMLASH's trip

Q Mr Trafficante have you ever A Trafficante's name was

travelled to Spain on a reservation list for a

trip to Spain on November 22

1966 he returned to New York

on November 28 1966

Q When

Q For what purpose

Q Who did you meet in Madrid

Q During any time you were in

Madrid were AMLASH or Mr

Bongo there
 If yes Did you meet with them A Allegedly Trafficante

Purpose Where travelled to Madrid in 1966

to meet with Vincente

Iglesias Armada a reputed

major figure in the traffic

of narcotics
 III ORGANIZED CRIME

SANTO TRAFFICANTE DIRECT EXAMINATION

September 27 1978

Q Mr Trafficante were you A Yes EST p.78

acquainted with the Justice

Department's program during the

1960's of physical surveillance

against particular individuals

Q Was it your knowledge that you A Yes EST p.78

were one of the objects of this

surveillance

Q Do you know Mr Carlos A Yes EST p.74

Marcello 25 26 or 27 years

Nature

Extent

Number of contacts/year

Q Did you ever discuss this A Might have

physical surveillance with EST p.78

Mr Marcello

Q When I refer to surveillance A Yes

I mean intense physical

surveillance - do you

understand that meaning

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 2

Q Why do you think you were

being surveilled

Q Did you ever discuss with A No EST p.79

anyone how this surveillance

could be stopped

Q Did you ever have any dis A I don't think so

cussions with Mr Marcello EST p.76

regarding President Kennedy

or Attorney General Robert

Kennedy

Q Did Mr Marcello ever talk A Yes EST p.77

with you about his deportation

from the United States

Q What was the substance of this A That he didn't like the

way he was treated

because he was kidnapped

not deported EST p.77

Q Did he express how upset he was A

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 3

Q Do you have any knowledge that A No EST p.77

Mr Marcello ever made any threats

against the life of President

Kennedy or Attorney General

Robert Kennedy

Mr Trafficante the Committee

would now like to ask you about

your association with certain

individuals allegedly active in

criminal activities who were

also of some interest to the

government

Q Did you know Albert Anastasia A Probable objection

on pertinency grounds

Yes - Albert Anastasia

the reputed chief

executioner of the criminal

group referred to as

Murder Inc of Brooklyn

N.Y

Q During what years A

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 4

Q What was the nature of your A

relationship

Q Did you visit Albert Anastasia A Yes

in New York the night before

he was shot to death

Q Mr Trafficante do you have A Yes

knowledge of the meeting among at Apalachin

/Meeting

reputed organized crime figures was to divide

reportedly
which occurred on November 14 up gambling interests in
1957 in the home of Joseph the Cuba
U.S.,and was

Barbara Sr in Apalachin New to

assigned Trafficante.%
York

Q Many persons attended this

meeting I would like to know

your association with three of

them

First do you know Vito Genovese A (Vito Genovese reputed

What is the nature of your organized crime figure

relationship from New York)

How long have you known him

How often would you have contact

with him
Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 5

Q Do you know Carmine Galante A (Carmine Galante reputed

Nature of relationship organized crime figure from

How long New York)

Number of contacts

Q Do you know John Ormento A John Ormento reputed

Nature organized crime figure from

Extent New York City

Number of contacts

Q Mr Trafficante were you A Probably will refuse to

present at the home of Joseph answer the gathering

Barbara Sr in Apalachin occurred at the home-of

New York on November 14 1957 Joseph Barbara

/If no then ask:/To refresh your A Records from the Dade

memory can you recall being County Florida Public

questioned by two New York State Safety Department reveal

policemen in Apalachin New York that two N.Y State police

on November 14 1957 men positively identified

a photograph of Santo

Trafficante as the

individual they stopped on

November 14 1957 in

Apalachin New York and

who told them his name

was Luis Santos

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante 6
Page

Q Mr Trafficante have you ever A

used the name Luis Santos

If so when Where Why

Q Can you recall telling these A

policemen your name was Luis

Santos

Q Even if you were not at the

meeting to your knowledge was

gambling in Cuba discussed at the

meeting Did anyone ever tell

you it was

Q What else was discussed at the

meeting

Mr Trafficante prior to 1963 A Joseph Colombo reputed

what was the nature of your rela- former head of one of

tionship with Joseph Columbo New York's organized

Extent crime families

Number of contacts
Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 7

Q Did you see him after 1963

When

Q Did you see him at La Stella

Restaurant in New York on

November 22 1966 Who else

was present

Q Is there any significance

to the fact that this meeting

was 3 years to the day from the

time President Kennedy was

assassinated

Q What is the nature of your A Thomas Eboli reputed

relationship with Thomas Eboli organized crime figure

Extent from New York

Duration Was he also at La Stella

Q Mr Trafficante what was the A

substance of the discussions at

La Stella Restaurant that day

Social

Business
Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 8

Q Mr Trafficante do you know A Should say yes an

Miro Bell associate for Trafficante

Nature Bell introduces Dolan to

Extent Trafficante Dolan

Number of contacts associate of Ruby

Q Do you know James Henry Dolan A James Dolan

Henry active
Nature in criminal in
activity
Extent Dallas Texas the
during
Number of contacts 1960's an associate
early

of Jack Ruby reportedly

performed some "work

for Santo Trafficante in

Miami in 1961
Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 9

Q Does it refresh your memory to A This allegation comes

recall whether Mr Dolan and an from an FBI report

associate of his George Fuqua

ever worked for you as enforcers in

1960 or 1961

Q Mr Trafficante Mr Dolan was A

an associate of Jack Ruby

Did Mr Dolan ever mention the

name Jack Ruby to you in any

associations you may have had

with him

Q Mr Trafficante there has been

discussion of individuals that

you may have known in Cuba who

subsequently came to the United

States after Castro assumed power

Did you know Jose Aleman Jr. A Yes EST p.65

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 10

Q Where did you first meet him A Apartment house Miami

Beach EST p.66

Q When A Does not remember

EST p.66

Q Who introduced you to Mr A Mr Gener EST p.66

Aleman

Q What was the purpose of the A Needed money EST p.67

introduction

Q Were you going to give him A No EST p.67

money

Q Who was A Arranging for Aleman to

meet Frank Regano an

attorney for James

Hoffa EST p.67

Q So the purpose of the meeting A Yes EST p.67

was for you to talk to Mr

Regano about a Teamsters loan

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 11

Q Did you have previous dealings A

with the Teamsters Union

How Much with whom

Q What was the purpose of the A

loan

Q What was the amount of the A Hundreds of thousands

loan to be EST p.67

Q How many meetings took place A two or three

between you and Mr Aleman EST p.67

regarding this loan

Q Was there anyone else present A Possibly another

besides yourself Mr Aleman friend of Aleman

and Mr Gener EST p.68

Q Were you ever in a meeting with A Angelo Bruno reputed

Mr Aleman in which Angelo head of the Philadelphia

Bruno was present organized crime element

Yes EST p.69

Q What was the occasion or purpose A Mr Bruno was looking for

milk in Dominican

Republic EST p.69

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 12

Q Is the business arrangement A

concerning milk the only item

you recall that Mr Bruno

and Mr Aleman discussed

Q During any of the meetings in A Could have been

which you were present with EST p.70

Mr Aleman was there ever a

discussion of the problems

Jimmy Hoffa was having with

Attorney General Robert

Kennedy

Q Again during any of the A Could have been

discussions among yourself EST p.70

Mr Aleman and Mr Bruno

was there ever a discussion

of President Kennedy and his

policies

Q Did you ever make the statement A No EST p.70

or comment to Mr Aleman

that President Kennedy would not

be reelected but that he would

be hit
Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 13

Q Are you familiar with that A Yes EST p.70

statement

Q How are you familiar with it A Newspapers EST p.71

Q Upon reading this statement A No EST p.71

for the first time did you

contact anyone

Q Is your testimony before this A Yes

Committee that you did not

make this statement

Q Mr Trafficante based upon

the Justice Department's

program of physical sur

veillance of you

the failure of the United

States Government to

overthrow the Castro regime

which would have enabled you

to have possibly regained

your possessions in Cuba and

Direct Examination Mr Trafficante Page 14

(3) your knowledge of the

Justice Department's

crackdowns against yourself

Carlos Marcello Jimmy Hoffa

and other individuals who

were your associates didn't

you have a motive to kill

President Kennedy

Q But weren't you motivated in part

to undertake to assassinate Fidel

Castro because he had imprisoned you

and caused you to lose vast amounts

of money in Cuba
 1 'Possible Tc&-F chute
owNON
RAI

Q Returning to your imprisonment A Yes very loose

E.S.T 51
in jail what was the policy on

visitors Were they allowed in

with few restrictions

Q You were in jail for over two A Can't remember Maybe

months Who visited you in jail his wife E.S.T 52

during these two months

Q How many people were in your A 6 or 7 E.S.T 49

pavillion with you

Q Who were they A Giuseppi de George (E.S.T

50) Charles del Monico
(Tourine) (E.S.T 50)
Civello
(E.S.T 50)

Jake Lansky

Dino Cellini

/Reference as well to
interview conducted with
Q These are all people who had Cuban jailer/

gambling interests Correct

Q Did you know them prior to your

being imprisoned How did you

know DeGeorge Tourine Civello

Lansky Cellini etc

Q They had people who worked with (No previous testimony)

them come visit them Is that

correct Who

Q Who were their friends that

visited

Q Did you have business dealings

with any of them

Q Did they continue to conduct

any business from jail Did you

Q Did you discuss with them how

much money you were losing as a

result of Castro's takeover

Q Did you discuss what steps if

any you could take to minimize

your potential losses

Q Did you know Mr Meyer Panitz A Panitz friend of Ruby

How When did you first meet him Worked at Capri then lived

Did you ever have any business dis in Miami

cussions with him

 Q Did you know Pedro and Martinez A Foxes Owners of

Fox How Tropicana McWillie worked

for them

Q Did any of the casino owners

and operators either before being

imprisoned while imprisoned or

after their release attempt to

get money out of Cuba How

Q How would you do it

John Wilson Hudson a British jour

nalist who was allegedly in Tres

cornia in 1959 stated that an

American gangster type called Ruby

would visit Trafficante

Q Was there incarcerated with you A Yes E.S.T. p 41

a British journalist Was there

incarcerated with you anyone who

you thought was a Britisher

Q Was there a Britisher named

John Wilson Hudson in Trescornia

Q Did you know Mr Lewis McWillie

When did you first meet him

Q Have you ever had any business

dealings with him

Q How often have you spoken with

him

Q Did you see Mr McWillie when

you were detained in Trescornia

Q Did you see Mr McWillie after

you were released from Trescornia

Q What did you discuss with Mr

McWillie

Q Did you ever see or meet Jack A No

Ruby while you were in prison

Q Ever meet Jack Ruby at any

time
Q But you have heard that story A

before

Q To your knowledge did Jack

Ruby ever carry money from Cuba

to the United States for a casino

owner or operator

Q Did you ever discuss with any

body not meet but discuss

Jack Ruby with any individual prior

to the day Jack Ruby shot Lee

Harvey Oswald