The Sinatra Files (17 page)

stated that Sinatra is sensitive about the allegations which have been made concerning his subversive activities and also his draft status during the last war. Sinatra feels that the publicity
which he has received has identified him with subversive elements and that such subversive elements are not sure of his position and Sinatra consequently feels that he can be of help as a result by going anywhere the Bureau desires and contacting any of the people from whom he might be able to obtain information. Sinatra feels as a result of his publicity he can operate without suspicion.

stated Sinatra is a Catholic but is not a practicing one. He also stated that Sinatra denies any subversive affiliations or interests on the part of himself and
is sure that Sinatra is truthful, otherwise
stated he would not bother the FBI with this matter.

stated that Sinatra was desirous of getting this project before CIA. However,
said he told Sinatra that CIA was not the proper place to make the approach. However,
did contact a friend in CIA who told
that he should take the matter up with the FBI since we were primarily charged with domestic intelligence activities.

stated that Sinatra’s principal contacts are in the entertainment field in Hollywood and New York City.
further advised that he didn’t know whether Sinatra has any current information with respect to subversives. He said that Sinatra understands that if he worked for the Bureau in connection with such activities it might reflect on his status and his standing in the entertainment field but he is willing to do anything even if it affects his livelihood and costs him his job.

said that Sinatra is willing to go “the whole way.”

stated that Sinatra can, of course, be reached through his residence in Hollywood but that he is presently living in the Hampshire House in New York City and that he is looking for an apartment in New York City since he is starting a television show on ABC on Saturday, October 7, 1950, and consequently will be in New York City for the next year.

I told
that I wasn’t aware of Sinatra’s activities other than what I had read in the papers. I told him further that I
wasn’t aware of Sinatra’s possibilities and that that was something we would have to analyze and determine. I further told
that we would not ask Sinatra or any other individual to engage in any activities that would reflect on the individual and that any action taken by the individual would have to be a voluntary decision on his part.
was also informed that I was not aware of the fact that Sinatra could be of use to us but that I would call to the Director’s attention
’s visit to me and that we would consider Sinatra’s request and that if he could be utilized we would communicate with him.