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| 1968 |
Arthur 'Army' DiMaria was a Los Angeles Family member based in Las Vegas.
Born Erminio Ballestriere on December 23, 1909 in Enna, Sicily to Salvatore Ballestriere and Fortunata Danza.
By 1935 resided with wife Eloise at 1429 Pleasant Ave in Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
By the mid-to-late 1940s residing in Las Vegas.
Believed to already be an inducted member of the Los Angeles Family, headed since the early 1930s by Jack Dragna.
Born Erminio Ballestriere on December 23, 1909 in Enna, Sicily to Salvatore Ballestriere and Fortunata Danza.
By 1935 resided with wife Eloise at 1429 Pleasant Ave in Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles.
By the mid-to-late 1940s residing in Las Vegas.
Believed to already be an inducted member of the Los Angeles Family, headed since the early 1930s by Jack Dragna.
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| Top: M. Cohen Bottom: Hit Team Members D. Brooklier and S. Scozzari |
On Dragna's orders, DiMaria participated in the July 1949 attempted murder of Meyer 'Micky' Cohen (35y) on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. Cohen and associate Edward 'Neddie' Herbert (38y) were wounded, the latter fatally, when two gunmen opened fire on their group outside Sherry's Restaurant at 2039 Sunset Boulevard.
The shooters were DiMaria and Los Angeles Soldier Dominick 'Jim Regace' Brooklier. Los Angeles Member Simone 'Sam' Scozzari acted as driver.
Co-conspirators included Los Angeles Soldier Aladena 'Jimmy' Fratianno.
On March 23, 1950 DiMaria and four others were arrested on gambling charges after police raided a floating dice game run from a Sherman Oaks motel.
He gave an address at 601 Lorena Ave in Arcadia, CA.
On December 28, 1950 picked up by the Los Angeles Vice Squad for operating a crap game on 5th St. Vito Gallo (37y) and three others were also held.
The shooters were DiMaria and Los Angeles Soldier Dominick 'Jim Regace' Brooklier. Los Angeles Member Simone 'Sam' Scozzari acted as driver.
Co-conspirators included Los Angeles Soldier Aladena 'Jimmy' Fratianno.
On March 23, 1950 DiMaria and four others were arrested on gambling charges after police raided a floating dice game run from a Sherman Oaks motel.
He gave an address at 601 Lorena Ave in Arcadia, CA.
On December 28, 1950 picked up by the Los Angeles Vice Squad for operating a crap game on 5th St. Vito Gallo (37y) and three others were also held.
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| F. DeSimone |
Frank DeSimone became Boss after Jack Dragna's death in early 1956.
In January 1965 FBI CI reported: "[There] are several members of La Cosa Nostra from the Los Angeles Family residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. [CI] described these individuals as Armin (Last name unknown), a Sicilian who was formerly a dealer at the Sands Hotel and now in a downtown casino. Lawrence (Last name unknown), from Kansas City and now a pit boss or boxman at the Thunderbird Hotel." (Lawrence LNU was Lawrence John Musso [1914-2003], son-in-law of former Kansas City leader James 'Big Jim' Balestrere.)
In January 1965 FBI CI reported: "[There] are several members of La Cosa Nostra from the Los Angeles Family residing in Las Vegas, Nevada. [CI] described these individuals as Armin (Last name unknown), a Sicilian who was formerly a dealer at the Sands Hotel and now in a downtown casino. Lawrence (Last name unknown), from Kansas City and now a pit boss or boxman at the Thunderbird Hotel." (Lawrence LNU was Lawrence John Musso [1914-2003], son-in-law of former Kansas City leader James 'Big Jim' Balestrere.)
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| J. Dippolito FBN Mafia Book |
By 1966 reported to Captain Joseph Dippolito.
As of 1967 DiMaria resided at 704 Brush St in Las Vegas and worked as a 21 dealer at the Sands Hotel.
In July of that year he was interviewed by Agent(s) with the FBI's Las Vegas Field Office:
"
As of 1967 DiMaria resided at 704 Brush St in Las Vegas and worked as a 21 dealer at the Sands Hotel.
In July of that year he was interviewed by Agent(s) with the FBI's Las Vegas Field Office:
"
DiMaria stated that his name now is legally Arthur DiMaria in view of the fact he had it changed in District Court, Clark County, Las Vegas during 12/1966. He stated according to his birth certificate, which he exhibited, his birth name is Erminio Ballestriere and he was born 12/23/1909 at Enna, Sicily. DiMaria said his father [died] around 1917 or 1918 in Denver, Colorado. His mother [married] Andrea DiMaria subsequent to the death of [his father].
DiMaria also produced a baptismal certificate and a school certificate which showed his name to be Ballestriere, however, the spelling of this name [varied].
DiMaria stated that he was not aware of his foreign birth and his true name until approximately one year ago.He stated two individuals by the name of [Illegible], who were alleged to be cousins came from Italy [illegible] visit and stopped to see him. During this visit, they related to him he had a [illegible] uncle by the name of Giuseppe Ballestriere living in Enna, Sicily. Giuseppe was described as a [illegible section].
DiMaria said he had no knowledge as to when he was actually brought to this country by his mother, however, learned from [Immigration and Naturalization Service] that he came to the United States sometime during 1913 with his mother.
...DiMaria denied that he was acquainted with Frank DeSimone, Frank Bompensiero, Jimmy Fratianno and Joseph Dippolito. He stated the name Joseph Dippolito seemed a bit familiar to him but did not know anyone by that name. DiMaria was asked if he had ever associated with individuals connected with LCN or [illegible].
DiMaria also produced a baptismal certificate and a school certificate which showed his name to be Ballestriere, however, the spelling of this name [varied].
DiMaria stated that he was not aware of his foreign birth and his true name until approximately one year ago.He stated two individuals by the name of [Illegible], who were alleged to be cousins came from Italy [illegible] visit and stopped to see him. During this visit, they related to him he had a [illegible] uncle by the name of Giuseppe Ballestriere living in Enna, Sicily. Giuseppe was described as a [illegible section].
DiMaria said he had no knowledge as to when he was actually brought to this country by his mother, however, learned from [Immigration and Naturalization Service] that he came to the United States sometime during 1913 with his mother.
...DiMaria denied that he was acquainted with Frank DeSimone, Frank Bompensiero, Jimmy Fratianno and Joseph Dippolito. He stated the name Joseph Dippolito seemed a bit familiar to him but did not know anyone by that name. DiMaria was asked if he had ever associated with individuals connected with LCN or [illegible].
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Los Angeles Boss Frank DeSimone died the following month.
On September 4, 1967 the FBI's New York Office reported: "Arthur DiMaria resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information received from [CI] reflects that DiMaria has resided in the Las Vegas area since the mid 1940s although he remains a member of the Los Angeles LCN Family."
On September 8, 1967 FBI Las Vegas reported: "Arthur DiMaria remains as the only identified member of the La Cosa Nostra residing in the Las Vegas area. DiMaria is a member of the Los Angeles Family...It is noted that information had been furnished DiMaria [is] currently in Las Vegas looking after Los Angeles interests in the area. DiMaria [appears] to have very little social contact and does not appear to be engaged in activities of the organized criminal element."
Los Angeles Boss Frank DeSimone died the following month.
On September 4, 1967 the FBI's New York Office reported: "Arthur DiMaria resides in Las Vegas, Nevada. Information received from [CI] reflects that DiMaria has resided in the Las Vegas area since the mid 1940s although he remains a member of the Los Angeles LCN Family."
On September 8, 1967 FBI Las Vegas reported: "Arthur DiMaria remains as the only identified member of the La Cosa Nostra residing in the Las Vegas area. DiMaria is a member of the Los Angeles Family...It is noted that information had been furnished DiMaria [is] currently in Las Vegas looking after Los Angeles interests in the area. DiMaria [appears] to have very little social contact and does not appear to be engaged in activities of the organized criminal element."
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| N. Licata |
Around October 1967 Nicolo Licata was elected the new Boss and appointed Joseph Dippolito as his Underboss. Dominick Brooklier took over Dippolito's crew.
On December 7, 1967 FBI CI Frank Bompensiero reported: "...He identified both Arthur DiMaria of Las Vegas and a Julie [Julian Antista (1910-1991)] as two LCN members of the Los Angeles Family who originally were out of the Denver area." (In 1977 Bompensiero, a longtime Los Angeles member based in San Diego, was murdered on Family suspicions of being an informant.)
On July 16, 1968 DiMaria was held by the Clark County, Nevada Sheriff's Office on an unspecified charge.
He died July 16, 1972.
On December 7, 1967 FBI CI Frank Bompensiero reported: "...He identified both Arthur DiMaria of Las Vegas and a Julie [Julian Antista (1910-1991)] as two LCN members of the Los Angeles Family who originally were out of the Denver area." (In 1977 Bompensiero, a longtime Los Angeles member based in San Diego, was murdered on Family suspicions of being an informant.)
On July 16, 1968 DiMaria was held by the Clark County, Nevada Sheriff's Office on an unspecified charge.
He died July 16, 1972.