The Sinatra Files (29 page)

furnished confidential information that Frank Sinatra was among the group of Americans who were putting up ten million dollars for the construction of the Monte Carlo Hotel and gambling casino in the Barlovento development in Havana.

former PCI, (protect identity) advised that on 8/10/58 Frank Sinatra was met at Midway Airport, Chicago, by Joe Fischetti, a former Chicago hoodlum, then residing in Miami, and taken to the Ambassador Hotel. After lunch, Sinatra, Fischetti and Dean Martin, a well-known entertainer who was also in Chicago, were taken by
of the Chicago PD to the River Forest residence of Anthony Accardo where they gave a “command performance.”

During the period
advised that racketeers continued to “muscle in” on the entertainment field. He stated that Frank Costello (not identified) took over Frank Sinatra when he was struggling to be recognized, promoted him financially, and was responsible for his present success.

On 4/4/60 a Bureau Agent advised that in the summer of 1959 there was a large gambling setup at Gurney’s Inn, Montauk, NY, and that Frank Sinatra was among the customers.

advised that Dominick Bruno, reported to have Mafia connections, had attempted unsuccessfully to
get Frank Sinatra to appear at his Three Rivers Inn, Three Rivers, NY. Sinatra would only appear at a Las Vegas club (believed to be the Dunes), an Atlantic City club owned by an old friend who started him in the entertainment business, (not identified) and the Copacabana in NY, where he had obligations. Informant explained that these obligations dated from Sinatra’s “emancipation” from Tommy Dorsey who once owned Sinatra to the extent that Sinatra only received 10% of his gross income. Sinatra got Frank Costello, nationally known racketeer, to obtain his release from Dorsey for $150,000. As a result Sinatra was obligated to the Sinatra syndicate and therefore worked at the Copacabana. Sinatra was reputed to be a possible runner for Lucky Luciano during his overseas visits and a couple of years ago they had been pictured together in newspapers in Cuba. Informant was of the opinion that if Dominick Bruno had any top syndicate or Mafia connections he would have been able to get Sinatra to appear at Three Rivers Inn.

(protect identity) advised that David Gerson, deceased, formerly proprietor of the City Grill at 1432 Market St., Philadelphia, had owned 32 shares of stock identified by Inft. [informant] as “Cal-Neva.” Herman Taylor, Philadelphia fight promoter, apparently “fronting for the mob” at Philadelphia, attempted to purchase the shares but because of his associations, the Nevada Gambling Commission intervened. Paul D’Amato, operator of the 500 Club in Atlantic City, withdrew an offer to buy the shares because he learned that the Nevada Gambling Commission was having an investigation conducted on him. Inft. believed that because of these failures Frank Sinatra was approached. Sinatra bought 28 shares and Dean Martin purchased the remaining shares.

The above informant believed Sinatra was “closely aligned with the rackets” and as an example stated that when Sinatra played at the 500 Club in Atlantic City in 1960 he was a constant companion of Joseph Fischetti, alleged former lieutenant of Al Capone. Fischetti would allow no one to see Sinatra without his sanction. During that
time Sinatra also associated with Paul D’Amato and Felix John De Tullio.

On 1/6/60
(protect identity) advised that Joe Valeno, a singer whose true name was Joe Poleno or Poliano, had allegedly made numerous recordings for an unnamed company in NYC next to or near Radio Corporation of America studios. The records had been suppressed because he would not voluntarily participate in “drug traffic.” One of Valeno’s arrangements, “Garden of Eden,” was allegedly taken by Frank Sinatra who recorded it as his own, and the record was now being sold. Sinatra allegedly paid Valeno $10,000 for this song plus a two percent “pressure fee,” not further defined.