1981 File Says Donald Trump Offered to "Fully Cooperate" With FBI
1981 File Says Donald
Trump Offered to "Fully Cooperate" With FBI
Compiled by Ghost
Posted January 19, 2023
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| Trump Plaza |
Chat GPT Summary of Document
The writer, identified as SUPV. DAMON T. TAYLOR, provides a memorandum dated 9/22/81, addressing interactions with a source connected to La Cosa Nostra (LCN) and their involvement in the Trump Organization's plan to build a casino in Atlantic City.
The source shared information about LCN influence in the Teamsters Union, and later, the writer and Case Agent met with Donald Trump. Trump expressed concerns about potential ties between organized crime and Atlantic City, seeking FBI cooperation in ensuring the casino's integrity. Trump later expressed willingness to cooperate and suggested using undercover FBI agents in the casino.
The FBI began planning an undercover proposal for the Trump casino, to be discussed on 10/1/81. However, it was revealed that the source's relationship with the FBI became a concern during a meeting with licensing officials. Trump informed the writer about the situation, emphasizing that he did not discuss undercover activities with the officials.
The source, unaware of the FBI's
involvement, was questioned about his relationship with the FBI by licensing
officials. Trump and the writer clarified that they were not references for the
source's business dealings. The memorandum ends with ongoing discussions and
inquiries regarding the source's status with licensing officials.
Additional Information
Trump Plaza was a hotel and
casino on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by Trump
Entertainment Resorts. Designed by architect Alan Lapidus, it operated from May
14, 1984, until September 16, 2014. Its main tower was demolished by controlled
demolition on February 17, 2021.
“At the 1981 IBT Convention, TDU
delegate Diana Kilmury stood before the hostile audience and proposed the
creation of an Ethical Practices Committee within the union. “What are you
afraid of?” she asked. The corrupt IBT leadership had a lot to be afraid of. In
1982, Teamster President Roy Williams, Central States Pension Fund
administrator Allen Dorfman, and pension fund trustees were convicted of
attempting to bribe a U.S. senator. Dorfman had used the pension fund as a
piggy bank for the mob. He had split kickbacks with James Hoffa, Sr. and been a business partner of James
Hoffa, Jr. In 1983, Williams was charged with extortion and links to organized
crime. Williams and Dorfman were plotting with the mob to take back control of
the Central States Pension Fund. Williams later admitted in court that the
Teamster leadership was controlled by organized crime. The next Teamster
President, Jackie Presser, was no better. At the time of the 1986 IBT
Convention, he was under a multi-count indictment including charges of
racketeering and embezzlement.”
“As the extent of the corruption
became clearer, pressure grew for government intervention. In 1988, the Justice
Department prosecuted the union under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations Act (RICO). The
suit stated that “the IBT has made a devil’s pact with La Cosa Nostra.”
They proposed a federal trusteeship of the whole union. TDU strongly opposed a
government takeover. TDU’s position was that the best anti-corruption program
would be to give members the Right to Vote.”
“On March 13,1989, the Justice
Department reached an agreement with the IBT to settle the RICO suit. It
established a court supervised Independent Review Board to clean out
corruption. Most important, it provided for the direct election of Teamster
officers. TDU’s position against government trusteeship and for the right to
vote had prevailed. The Wall Street Journal reported that “the terms of the
settlement were greatly influenced by the concerns and platform of Teamsters
for a Democratic Union.” Rank-and-file Teamsters had won the right to vote. Now
they were going to use it.”
Hoffa Takes Office
“Hoffa made big promises to members when he ran for
office. His slate was called the “Jim Hoffa No Corruption, No Dues Increase, 25-and-Out Slate.”
Would he keep his promises? It was up to TDU to hold the Hoffa administration
accountable to members.
Within a year of taking office, Hoffa added 137 multiple
salaries to the IBT payroll. He pulled the plug on big Teamster organizing
drives and launched a poorly planned strike at Overnight Transportation that
killed our union’s successful freight organizing drive there.
One area in which he was
successful was uniting Teamster officials around him by using a
carrot-and-stick approach. He gave fat multiple salaries and perks to his
supporters. He punished local officials who opposed him by sending “personal
representatives” to their locals to undermine them or by removing elected
leaders.”
So despite everything the Hoffas’
get back control of the Union well into 2006.
Memorandum
To: SAC (137-22152) (ADM) Date:
9/22/81
From: SUPV. DAMON T. TAYLOR
Subject: NY18904-0C-Sullivan
On 5/21/80, [the]
writer was introduced to source by the operating Case Agent. Source provided
to writer on the above date, a general background concerning LCN [La Cosa
Nostra] influence in the Eastern Conference of Teamsters . On 7/14/80, [the] writer again
met with source in the presence of the Case Agent and discussed the same topic.
Five (5) of the meetings took place, thereafter, involving writer, Case Agent and
source
during these meetings source discussed public documents and general
historical background regarding the Teamsters Union as well as the Organized Labor
Movement in the United States (US) as it relates to Organized Crime.
Much of this information is the subject of many books, some of which source
collaborated on with journalists in preparing the manuscripts.
In early April
of 1981, writer
was contacted by Case Agent and was subsequently advised that the source had
a business relationship with DONALD and ROBERT TRUMP of the Trump Organization. The source,
in this case, owns a piece of property (along with other partners) in Atlantic City,
upon which the Trump Organization wants to build a casino. In early April 1981, writer
and Case
Agent met With DONALD TRUMP. The purpose of this meeting was for DONALD TRUMP to
express his reservations about building a casino in Atlantic City. TRUMP
advised Agents
that he had read in the press media and had beard from various acquaintances that
Organized Crime elements were known to operate in Atlantic City. TRUMP
also expressed at this meeting, the reservation that his life and those around
him would be subject to microscopic examination . TRUMP advised that he wanted
to build a casino in Atlantic City but he did not wish to tarnish his
family's name inadvertently . Agents advised TRUMP that he should
carefully think over his decision to build in Atlantic City, and carefully prepare
not only methods of securing employees' honesty, but also corporate integrity .
TRUMP
advised that he wished to cooperate with the FBI if he did decide to build
a casino . The Agents that were present advised although they were not in a
position to speak for the FB!, or to guarantee anything, that if he in fact
wished to build in Atlantic City and decided firmly on this matter,
they would be glad to re-discuss the situation without making any commitments .
NY (137-19967)
After this
initial meeting, the New York Office (NYO) began to research Atlantic City and
its various regulating bodies as well as what evidence existed regarding Organized Crime influence
in that city. At an Atlantic City conference, [the] writer discussed with
Bureau officials
and the Atlantic
City Resident Agency, the possibility that a proposed casino owner might
be willing to cooperate with the FBI . In June 1981, writer met again with DONALD TRUMP
and ROBERT
TRUMP during which time they advised that they felt confident that they
wished to build a casino in Atlantic City. TRUMP advised writer, who was
in the presence of the Case Agent, that he, (TRUMP) , wished to provide
full disclosure during the construction phase of this casino and .subsequently,
once the casino was operational. TRUMP stated in order to show that he was willing
to fully cooperate with the FBI, he suggested that they use undercover Agents within
the casino. [The] Writer advised TRUMP that he could not speak for the FBI,
and he could not make any agreements or promises as per Bureau policy in this
matter . TRUMP
asked , [the] writer his personal opinion regarding whether he should build in Atlantic City .
Writer advised TRUMP, on a personal level, not as a matter of Bureau
policy, that he, ( [The] writer), thought there were easier ways that TRUMP could
invest his money . TRUMP asked [the] writer if he could attempt to
introduce him to appropriate officials in the FBI with whom he could
discuss this matter. [The] Writer advised TRUMP he would research this
matter further and re-contact him.
NY (137-19967)
At this point, [the] writer initiated
steps with the Newark Office and the Atlantic City Resident Agency to begin
planning an undercover proposal concerning the proposed TRUMP casino. This proposal,
now in thoroughly finished state, was to be discussed with TRUMP by
the SACs
of the New
York Office and the Newark Office on 10/1/81.
On 9/21/81,
writer returned the call of DONALD TRUMP and subsequently talked to DONALD and
ROBERT TRUMP via telephone. TRUMP advised [the] writer that he traveled
to Trenton,
New Jersey on Wednesday of the previous week and had met with DGE official,
MICREY
BROWN. TRUMP advised that BROWN told him that he had “no problem” with TRUMP'S background
and expected him to be licensed in the immediate future. BROWN,
according to TRUMP, further stated that he had one problem and that involved
captioned source. TRUMP stated that he told BROWN that source was the first individual to
preach "honesty" to him regarding his dealings in Atlantic City .
TRUMP advised
that he also told BROWN that Source had introduced him to two Agents of the FBI,
(one of the names given was that of [the] writer) . TRUMP stated that BROWN told
him that [the]
source was not candid with DGE regarding some questions, and that this
might draw out the investigation . TRUMP advised [the] writer that he told BROWN of
[the] source's
relationship with the FBI only in the sense that, it might “nip things in
the bud", and prevent future problems. TRUMP stated that he talked
with BROWN
about nothing of a substantive nature, particularly involving any
proposed undercover activity.
On the same day, [the] writer and Case Agent talked
with [the] source. [The] Source advised that he had been interviewed by DGE approximately
a month and a half ago. DGE asked for documentation regarding [the] source's business
activities. [The] Source advised that his attorney had inadvertently not sent DGE the
appropriate documents, however, would do so now. [The] Source further
advised that DGE officials asked him about his relationship
with the FBI
based on a stack of newspaper clippings which DGE officials had access to. [The] Source declined
to answer this question.
NY (137-19967)
It should be
emphasized that TRUMP is not aware of source's relationship with the FBI and knows only
that the contacting Agents are acquaintances; however, [the] writer and
Case Agent have repeatedly told TRUMP that they were
not references for source and cannot speak for source's business
dealings. The TRUMPS have advised [the] writer and Case Agent that
source is involved as a labor consultant to their firm .
They are aware that this is a very rough business and that source knows people,
some of whom may be unsavory by the simple nature of the business. On 9/21/.81,
source contacted MICKEY BROWN of DGE at TRUMP'S request . Before source could
elaborate on the matter of his call, BROWN told him that he, (BROWN), was
attempting to talk with the Newark Division of the FBI to verify some conversation(s)
that TRUMP had had with (BROWN) . Source advised BROWN that he was calling regarding a different matter and
the question of whether or not he was a source of the FBI simply did not
come up . [the] source told BROWN he was calling regarding a different matter and that his attorney had
inadvertently not sent appropriate business documentation to BROWN. [The] Source stated
that he would do so now. According to source, he then asked BROWN, “is
there anything else…”? to which BROWN responded, “no”. On ·9/21/81, BROWN called the SAC,
Newark Division, and inquired regarding source. SAC Newark advised
BROWN that he would get back to him. On 9/22/81, SAC, Newark, called
[the] writer regarding his conversation with BROWN and the
matter of his future response.
It should be emphasized that TRUMP advised
[the] writer he did not talk with BROWN about anything
concerning the proposed undercover activity. It should further be emphasized
that [the] source is not aware of the matter of this proposed
activity.
Transcribed by Ghost.
Source:
Works Cited
Contributors, Wikipedia. 2023. Trump Plaza Hotel
and Casino. December 18. Accessed January 19, 2024.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trump_Plaza_Hotel_and_Casino.
Union, Teamsters for a Democratic. n.d. The Fight
to Save Our Union (TDU History 1998-2007). Accessed January 2024, 2024.
https://www.tdu.org/node/757.
—. n.d. Winning the Fight for Democracy (TDU
History: the 1980s). Accessed January 19, 2024.
https://www.tdu.org/winning-fight-democracy-tdu-history-1980s.
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