OCR transcription — Page 66
BU 92-61
[Continuation from page 65.] Apalachin meeting, as individuals of little importance in so far as the Apalachin meeting was concerned. Informant stated that in his opinion these individuals were taken to this meeting just for "company" and would have played no part in any of the decisions made at this meeting.
This informant further advised that the operations of this group in Western New York consists of running a big "crap game" in Niagara Falls, New York, although he has never been present at that game and a second big "crap game" which is operating in Fort Erie, Ontario, Canada, about one mile from the Fort Erie Race Track. He said the other income of this group comes from policy slips and horse race betting. Informant stated that as far as he knows the policy and number slips used by this group have never crossed the state lines as these individuals in this group are afraid of the FBI and the Federal Government.
On November 22, 1957, a woman who refused to furnish her identity, telephonically contacted the Buffalo Office and stated that JAMES VONA of North Tonawanda, New York, is the director of the rackets in North Tonawanda, New York. The anonymous caller stated VONA controls the vending machines, pool rooms and juke boxes in the North Tonawanda, New York area and he has two strong arm boys who "convince" the small shop owners to use VONA's machines. The caller stated that VONA, who is a cousin of STEVE MAGADDINO, has five or six brothers who help him keep the rackets under control in the North Tonawanda district.
The caller further stated that [REDACTED] runs the numbers racket in the colored section of Buffalo for MAGADDINO. She stated [REDACTED] allegedly operates out of the Toussaint Tavern on William Street in Buffalo.
On January 3, 1958, [REDACTED] the North Tonawanda, New York Police Department, furnished the following information:
JAMES VONA resides at 55 Walter Avenue, Tonawanda, New York, and is the President of the Niagara Amusements, Inc., North Tonawanda, New York. JAMES VONA [EXTENSIVE REDACTIONS] stated that [REDACTED] JOHN VONA are employed by [REDACTED] in Niagara Falls, New York, [REDACTED] is employed [REDACTED] in Niagara Falls, New York and [REDACTED] assists [REDACTED] JAMES VONA, in the latter's business.
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[Administrative redactions b6/b7C retained. The statements above are informant allegations.]
Uncorrected machine OCR. Verify names, dates,
and quotations against the original FBI scan.