Watch and see he is not worth 2 $189 ha ha."
The letter by the unknown subject (UNSUB, in FBI jargon) prompted a three-month investigation. Among the techniques employed was a "psycholinguistics" a.n.a.lysis, for which the FBI hired a consultant. He found an extraordinary amount of hidden meaning in the fifty-two-word note.
To: SSRA, Atlantic City Attention:[image] Atlantic City Atlantic City From: M. S. Miron, Psycholinguistics Re: UNSUB; Frank Sinatra-Victim Hobb"s Act Photofacsimile of a one page communication addressed to World International, postmarked May 12, 1980 was transmitted from the Atlantic City office for a.n.a.lysis.
DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF UNSUB.
Based upon an a.n.a.lysis of the content and style of this communication, it is my opinion that UNSUB is a Caucasian male of foreign birth, who has resided in this country for at least 15 years and is between 45 and 55 years of age. I am not able to determine the nationality of the author from the evidence in hand, however given the clear signs of psychological identification this UNSUB feels for the victim and the distinctive orthography, it is not improbable that UNSUB is of Italian origin.
Given the content emphasis of money, it is most likely that UNSUB is unemployed or in a low-income, blue collar occupation.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF UNSUB.
In my judgment, UNSUB"s threat does not reflect content characteristics which would imply either the means or the determination for action. The threat is, I believe, instead based on UNSUB"s resentments over not being able to indulge himself with a trip he wishes to take. The communication has the form of a "sour grapes" rationalization of the privation UNSUB feels.
Use of such defense and the gastro-intestinal form of the threat, imply that UNSUB is a dependent personality with inadequate and immature coping strategies. Such speculation further implies that UNSUB may tend toward alcoholism and other such letter writing activities. It is not unlikely that UNSUB has written similar anonymous letters to public officials and/or commercial inst.i.tutions.
The form of the threat is consistent with an interpretation of lack of subterfuge; i.e., use of re-mailers or disguised handwriting. I, therefore, conclude that UNSUB is a resident of the post-marked area.
The unusual telephone calls to the advertised number for the referenced junket are entirely consistent with the behavior to be expected from this UNSUB.
UNSUB probably is an habitual lottery player and gambler, but, in my judgment would not be expected to have a criminal record.
Support for the conclusion that this UNSUB poses no danger to the victim is provided by the following data observations. Note that UNSUB chooses to cast his manifest resentment in the responsibility diffusing form of the plural p.r.o.noun. Instead of implying the organizational support UNSUB undoubtedly intended, it is instead inconsistent with the personal determination characteristic of more dangerous threats. Note further that UNSUB chooses to make salient his "wanting" to take action in a form which is distinctly fantasy-like rather than action-oriented. UNSUB ends with a reference to the pa.s.sivity of "watch and see" which again is ant.i.thetical to action and, I believe, is characteristic of the pa.s.siveness of UNSUB himself.
The agent in charge of the probe summarized his or her efforts.
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent[image] at Atlantic City, New Jersey: at Atlantic City, New Jersey: On May 22, 1980,[image] Security Officer, New Jersey Bell Telephone Company, Security Officer, New Jersey Bell Telephone Company,[image] was contacted concerning the receipt of calls at the World International (WI) Hotel on number 800-257-7912, which was identified as the toll-free number utilized by WI in their out-of-state advertising for the SINATRA weekend special. He referred this request for a.s.sistance to his counterpart at Bell of Pennsylvania. was contacted concerning the receipt of calls at the World International (WI) Hotel on number 800-257-7912, which was identified as the toll-free number utilized by WI in their out-of-state advertising for the SINATRA weekend special. He referred this request for a.s.sistance to his counterpart at Bell of Pennsylvania.
On May 22, 1980,[image] Security Officer, Bell of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Office, number Security Officer, Bell of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Office, number[image] was contacted regarding this matter. He advised that arrangements would be made to trap calls from the Reading area to the 800 number used by WI. He also advised that he would attempt to retrieve any records of such calls on May 17 and May 20, 1980. was contacted regarding this matter. He advised that arrangements would be made to trap calls from the Reading area to the 800 number used by WI. He also advised that he would attempt to retrieve any records of such calls on May 17 and May 20, 1980.
On May 22, 1980,[image] and and[image] Intelligence Unit, Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) were contacted for the purpose of reviewing their investigation in this matter and coordinating future steps. Intelligence Unit, Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) were contacted for the purpose of reviewing their investigation in this matter and coordinating future steps.[image] furnished the original threat letter and its envelope (reported on separate FD-302) and advised that he received it on May 16, 1980, from ACPD employee furnished the original threat letter and its envelope (reported on separate FD-302) and advised that he received it on May 16, 1980, from ACPD employee[image] who received it from WI"s Reservations who received it from WI"s Reservations[image] who received it from who received it from[image] confirmed that the receipt of the threat had been reported to the intended victim through ACPD confirmed that the receipt of the threat had been reported to the intended victim through ACPD[image] . .[image] SINATRA appearances in Atlantic City. A coordinating conference was subsequently scheduled for the following morning. SINATRA appearances in Atlantic City. A coordinating conference was subsequently scheduled for the following morning.
On May 23, 1980, Special Agent[image] attended a meeting held at the office of attended a meeting held at the office of[image] of Intertel, Resorts International"s Security Office, Seaside Motel Office, Atlantic City. Among the others in attendance were of Intertel, Resorts International"s Security Office, Seaside Motel Office, Atlantic City. Among the others in attendance were[image] (ACPD), (ACPD),[image] (ACPD), and (ACPD), and[image] (New Jersey State Police-Division of Gaming Enforcement) (NJSP-DGE). (New Jersey State Police-Division of Gaming Enforcement) (NJSP-DGE).[image] confirmed that he has reported the receipt of the threat, and has maintained contact regarding this matter with JILLY RIZZO, SINATRA"s bodyguard and chief aid. RIZZO advised confirmed that he has reported the receipt of the threat, and has maintained contact regarding this matter with JILLY RIZZO, SINATRA"s bodyguard and chief aid. RIZZO advised[image] that on occasion threatening-type letters are received by SINATRA. However, he could not recall any similar to the current one postmarked Reading, Pennsylvania, nor could he furnish any information of lead value. Security arrangements for SINATRA"s performances May 23-26 and May 31-June 1 were coordinated between Resort"s staff, SINATRA"s personal guards, ACPD, and NJSP-DGE. that on occasion threatening-type letters are received by SINATRA. However, he could not recall any similar to the current one postmarked Reading, Pennsylvania, nor could he furnish any information of lead value. Security arrangements for SINATRA"s performances May 23-26 and May 31-June 1 were coordinated between Resort"s staff, SINATRA"s personal guards, ACPD, and NJSP-DGE.
On May 23, 1980,[image] WI Hotel, was contacted and instructed regarding the proper handling of any future suspicious calls or correspondence. She agreed to advise all appropriate personnel. WI Hotel, was contacted and instructed regarding the proper handling of any future suspicious calls or correspondence. She agreed to advise all appropriate personnel.[image] was also contacted regarding the threat letter and suspicious calls (reported on separate FD-302). She agreed to search WI"s reservations list for any individuals from Reading and to remain alert for same. was also contacted regarding the threat letter and suspicious calls (reported on separate FD-302). She agreed to search WI"s reservations list for any individuals from Reading and to remain alert for same.
On May 23, 1980, Bureau Supervisor[image] contacted Special Agent contacted Special Agent[image] and suggested conferring with MURRAY MIRON, the Bureau"s consultant in psycholinguistics, at number (315) 423-3661. and suggested conferring with MURRAY MIRON, the Bureau"s consultant in psycholinguistics, at number (315) 423-3661.
On May 27, 1980, MURRAY MIRON, of the Syracuse Research Corporation, was contacted and furnished a facsimile of the threat letter and envelope. He furnished an a.n.a.lysis and profile of unknown subject, which was subsequently confirmed in his report dated May 28, 1980.
On May 27, 1980,[image] was contacted and he advised that SINATRA"s appearances over the weekend proceeded without incident. was contacted and he advised that SINATRA"s appearances over the weekend proceeded without incident.
On May 28, 1980,[image] advised that similar security precautions were planned for the second of SINATRA"s weekend specials at Resorts. advised that similar security precautions were planned for the second of SINATRA"s weekend specials at Resorts.
On May 29, 1980,[image] Bell of Pennsylvania, was recontacted and he advised that his efforts to locate and retrieve any record of May 17 and/or May 20, 1980, calls met with negative results. Also, to date no record has been printed out of any Reading-area calls to the 800 number. He agreed to continue this watch through June 1, 1980. Bell of Pennsylvania, was recontacted and he advised that his efforts to locate and retrieve any record of May 17 and/or May 20, 1980, calls met with negative results. Also, to date no record has been printed out of any Reading-area calls to the 800 number. He agreed to continue this watch through June 1, 1980.
On May 31, 1980, Resorts International announced the cancellation of SINATRA"s appearances that weekend, due to the performer"s case of laryngitis.
On June 2, 1980,[image] Bell of Pennsylvania, advised that there continued to be no record of any Reading-area calls to the 800 number. Bell of Pennsylvania, advised that there continued to be no record of any Reading-area calls to the 800 number.
SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL REPORTS:.
1. Psycholinguistical a.n.a.lysis of M. S. MIRON, dated May 28, 1980.2. Report of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Laboratory, Doc.u.ment Section, dated July 9, 1980.3. Report of FBI Identification Division, Latent Fingerprint Section, dated July 25, 1980.Alas, it was all for naught.
PROSECUTIVE STATUS:.
On August 14, 1980, the facts of this matter were presented to a.s.sistant United States Attorney (AUSA) THOMAS MC KAY, III, Camden, New Jersey, who concurred that all logical investigation had been pursued in an effort to identify the originator of the threat. AUSA MC KAY also noted that there were no indications of any followup to this threat nor have any similar threats been received. Based on these reasons he declined any prosecutive consideration in this matter.
Acknowledgments.
Several people helped the editors in gathering material for this book that was not included in the batch of doc.u.ments released by the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1998. The editors express their grat.i.tude.
Beth Crowley, a dogged news a.s.sistant in the Washington bureau of The Wall Street Journal The Wall Street Journal, tracked down key electronic surveillance transcripts at the National Archives.
Sam Rushay and Pat Anderson, archivists for the National Archives" Nixon Project, helped locate noteworthy doc.u.ments from that collection. Linda Kloss of the FBI"s Freedom of Information Act Office knows where all the best doc.u.ments are buried and found some of the most important Kennedy-related memos involving Sinatra that weren"t included in the FBI"s 1998 release. Jim Lesar of the a.s.sa.s.sination Archives and Records Center supplied some doc.u.ments related to Judith Campbell.
Numerous books proved quite helpful in putting these doc.u.ments in context and were consulted liberally by the editors. These included His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra His Way: The Unauthorized Biography of Frank Sinatra by Kitty Kelley; by Kitty Kelley; Frank Sinatra: An American Legend Frank Sinatra: An American Legend and and Frank Sinatra: My Father Frank Sinatra: My Father, both by Nancy Sinatra; All the Way: A Biography of Frank Sinatra All the Way: A Biography of Frank Sinatra by Michael Freedland; by Michael Freedland; Sons and Brothers: The Days of Jack and Bobby Kennedy Sons and Brothers: The Days of Jack and Bobby Kennedy by Richard D. Mahoney; by Richard D. Mahoney; The Dark Side of Camelot The Dark Side of Camelot by Seymour Hersh; by Seymour Hersh; J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets J. Edgar Hoover: The Man and the Secrets by Curt Gentry; by Curt Gentry; Hoover"s FBI: The Inside Story of Hoover"s Trusted Lieutenant Hoover"s FBI: The Inside Story of Hoover"s Trusted Lieutenant by Cartha D. "Deke" DeLoach; by Cartha D. "Deke" DeLoach; Roemer: Man Against the Mob Roemer: Man Against the Mob by William F. Roemer, Jr.; and by William F. Roemer, Jr.; and The Mafia Encyclopedia The Mafia Encyclopedia (second edition) by Carl Sifakis. (second edition) by Carl Sifakis.
The editors also would like to thank our agent, Flip Brophy of Sterling Lord Literistic, Inc., for believing in this project from the start.
In addition, Tom Kuntz wishes to thank our brother Danny Kuntz and his wife, Rita, for their hospitality during this book"s final stages.
About the Editors
TOM KUNTZ is an editor for The New York Times The New York Times Week in Review section, where he writes and edits "Word for Word," a column of verbatim excerpts on a variety of topics. Before joining the Week in Review section, where he writes and edits "Word for Word," a column of verbatim excerpts on a variety of topics. Before joining the Times Times in 1988, he worked for in 1988, he worked for Newsday, The Hartford Courant Newsday, The Hartford Courant, and The Miami Herald The Miami Herald.His brother PHIL KUNTZ has been a staff reporter in The Wall Street Journal"s The Wall Street Journal"s Washington bureau since 1994. Previously, he worked for Washington bureau since 1994. Previously, he worked for Congressional Quarterly Congressional Quarterly and and The Miami Herald The Miami Herald.