John Rosselli and the ARRB

[Ron Bulman]

One of the most movie worthy aspects of Rosselli's life was Vegas.  From his role in the Chicago Outfit's acquiring the Stardust in 1955 to development and opening of the Tropicana in 1957 and more.  As a fixer and arbitrator among national interests he gained national prominence.

[James DiEugenio]

Also interesting is the way he got to Vegas.

He and Dragna had a good relationship.  In fact, Dragna was given the contract to kill Bugsy Siegel, who had been the Mob's man in Vegas.  

Well after Dragna died, John wanted to get out of LA.  So he got in contact with Chicago, and they requested his transfer to Vegas.  And he became kind of the new Siegel there. 

There was one problem.  This is where he met Maheu.  And that was the beginning of the end of Rosselli.

[Ron Bulman]

As I mentioned I've not read this book, but I may as it's cheap.  If I'll ever sit down and finish Coup In Dallas.

All-American Mafioso: The Johnny Roselli Story: Rappleye, Charles: 9780385266765: Amazon.com: Books

I refreshed my memory a little more from Hansome Johnny today but I don't know what it says about this.

The national mob agreed Siegel should go from overspending on building the Flamingo among other things.  After Dragna had Bugsy's eyeball shot out Mickey Cohen took over.  Feuding over territory and profits Dragna went after him on his own.  And failed, five times.  A raid on Cohen's haberdashery foiled when one of Cohen's men walked out as Dragna's men were rushing in and got his head blown off, Mickey ran out the back at the first shot.  A planned bombing at a seminary abandoned because of potential backlash over the site.  A bomb in his house, the fuse didn't go off.  A drive by, wounded in the shoulder.  Eight sticks of dynamite under his house, turns out directly under a safe on a concrete pad that absorbed much of the explosion.  House destroyed but they survived.  Dragna implicated and destroyed then died.  Cohen to jail for tax evasion.  After 30 years Dragna was the closest thing Roselli had to family.

Maheu didn't know Roselli.  They had met a time or two in Vegas in passing.  Sheffield Edwards called Maheu to Washington, Bissell had approved use of the mafia given their hate of Castro for appropriating their assets, with Dulles approval I would imagine (spring 1960?).  

Maheu thought of Roselli as more honest (?), and intelligent (?), agreeable (?) than some other mobsters he was familiar with.  He called Johnny to arrange a meeting of great importance, over lunch at the Brown Derby in LA.  Johnny scoffed, me, when the government is after me?  Maheu offered $150,000 (1963 dollars) and appealed to his patriotism.  He accepted the next day, but would not take the money in an act of patriotism.  Then he called Giancana, as he was not supposed to do, who laughed and said go ahead.  So, he told Maheu of his friend Sam who said ok.  They all met in Washington or NYC with Sheffield's subordinate.

Then all met in Miami where Giancana contacted Santos, as it was his turf.

Edited May 3, 2023 by Ron Bulman

[Ron Bulman]

The big one regarding Roselli's rise to power in Vegas.  Also, his cash cow.  To be the new home of the Oakland A's?

Iconic Las Vegas Strip Resort Casino Set for Surprise Demolition (msn.com)

[Joe Bauer]

On 5/2/2023 at 7:32 PM, Ron Bulman said:

As I mentioned I've not read this book, but I may as it's cheap.  If I'll ever sit down and finish Coup In Dallas.

All-American Mafioso: The Johnny Roselli Story: Rappleye, Charles: 9780385266765: Amazon.com: Books

I refreshed my memory a little more from Hansome Johnny today but I don't know what it says about this.

The national mob agreed Siegel should go from overspending on building the Flamingo among other things.  After Dragna had Bugsy's eyeball shot out Mickey Cohen took over.  Feuding over territory and profits Dragna went after him on his own.  And failed, five times.  A raid on Cohen's haberdashery foiled when one of Cohen's men walked out as Dragna's men were rushing in and got his head blown off, Mickey ran out the back at the first shot.  A planned bombing at a seminary abandoned because of potential backlash over the site.  A bomb in his house, the fuse didn't go off.  A drive by, wounded in the shoulder.  Eight sticks of dynamite under his house, turns out directly under a safe on a concrete pad that absorbed much of the explosion.  House destroyed but they survived.  Dragna implicated and destroyed then died.  Cohen to jail for tax evasion.  After 30 years Dragna was the closest thing Roselli had to family.

Maheu didn't know Roselli.  They had met a time or two in Vegas in passing.  Sheffield Edwards called Maheu to Washington, Bissell had approved use of the mafia given their hate of Castro for appropriating their assets, with Dulles approval I would imagine (spring 1960?).  

Maheu thought of Roselli as more honest (?), and intelligent (?), agreeable (?) than some other mobsters he was familiar with.  He called Johnny to arrange a meeting of great importance, over lunch at the Brown Derby in LA.  Johnny scoffed, me, when the government is after me?  Maheu offered $150,000 (1963 dollars) and appealed to his patriotism.  He accepted the next day, but would not take the money in an act of patriotism.  Then he called Giancana, as he was not supposed to do, who laughed and said go ahead.  So, he told Maheu of his friend Sam who said ok.  They all met in Washington or NYC with Sheffield's subordinate.

Then all met in Miami where Giancana contacted Santos, as it was his turf.

What a sordid marriage.

Mafia/CIA/ex-Naz** war criminals.

Talk about dealing with the devil.

World's richest men Texas Oil, nation wide segregationist organizations, most extreme far right military men convinced JFK was too commie, JFK fired Ex-CIA bosses, hot headed Cubans, power and position threatened by JFK - LBJ, Hoover, jilted ex-husband Cord Meyer...all tied together with one common bond... hatred of JFK and RFK to murderous level degrees.

They didn't have a chance against that massive machine.

 

 

Edited May 10, 2023 by Joe Bauer

[Ron Bulman]

10 hours ago, Ron Bulman said:

The big one regarding Roselli's rise to power in Vegas.  Also, his cash cow.  To be the new home of the Oakland A's?

Iconic Las Vegas Strip Resort Casino Set for Surprise Demolition (msn.com)

As Jim alluded to above when Dragna died Frank DiSomone was voted in as his replacement.  Roselli wanted out of LA, he talked to Giancana.  The Chicago outfit needed a new rep in Vegas.  Marshall Califano had burned down an independent casino in retaliation for being refused a line of credit and drinks there.

They sent Johnny to oversee the completion and opening of the Tropicana.  Overcoming obstacles like a manger acceptable to the Nevada gaming commission, construction delays, hiring the manager of a favorite LA restaurant, and his LA barber to open a men's salon on site. 

Opening on schedule, 12,000 visitors the first night.  Celebrities galore, Governor, Mayor.  Record casino profits.   He was rewarded well, the parking concession, the gift shop, 10% off the top on all acts booked, a small part of the skim.  Investors Giancana, Trafficante and Marcello among others were appreciative.

A month later Frank Costello almost blew it all up in NYC by accident.

[Ron Bulman]

On 5/10/2023 at 9:06 PM, Ron Bulman said:

As Jim alluded to above when Dragna died Frank DiSomone was voted in as his replacement.  Roselli wanted out of LA, he talked to Giancana.  The Chicago outfit needed a new rep in Vegas.  Marshall Califano had burned down an independent casino in retaliation for being refused a line of credit and drinks there.

They sent Johnny to oversee the completion and opening of the Tropicana.  Overcoming obstacles like a manger acceptable to the Nevada gaming commission, construction delays, hiring the manager of a favorite LA restaurant, and his LA barber to open a men's salon on site. 

Opening on schedule, 12,000 visitors the first night.  Celebrities galore, Governor, Mayor.  Record casino profits.   He was rewarded well, the parking concession, the gift shop, 10% off the top on all acts booked, a small part of the skim.  Investors Giancana, Trafficante and Marcello among others were appreciative.

A month later Frank Costello almost blew it all up in NYC by accident.

Costello had a note in his pocket about profits from the Tropicana when he was grazed in the head in an assassination attempt in NYC.  Cops found the note.  Repercussions in Vegas, new manager, Roselli moved out.  Ultimately, smoothed over.