|
U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation |
| For Immediate Release | Washington, D.C. | |
| July 30, 1999 | FBI National Press Office |
The Federal Bureau of Investigation announced today that it has
added the following new subject matters to the Gangster Era,
Famous Persons, Historical Interest and Violent
Crime categories of its Freedom
of Information Act (FOIA) Electronic Reading Room:
Kate "Ma" Barker and her
sons, Herman, Lloyd, Arthur, and Fred teamed up with Alvin Karpis
(whom Fred met in the penitentiary) and several other criminals.
This summary gives an account of their criminal careers, including
the 1934 kidnaping of Edward G. Bremer, a wealthy Minnesota businessman.
Walter Winchell maintained a steady
exchange of correspondence with J. Edgar Hoover for over thirty
years. The famous newspaper columnist discussed FBI cases with
former Director Hoover and publicized FBI accomplishments.
This cult-type organization operated in the midwest in the 1930's supposedly to protect the country from various forms of "isms". Members wore black costumes with skull and crossbones insignia and were allegedly responsible for numerous murders.
World War II era records dealing with
the apprehension of individuals of German, Japanese, Italian,
Rumanian, Hungarian and Bulgarian nationality.
On November 6, 1980, the Attorney General directed the FBI to participate in the investigation of several missing and murdered children in Atlanta, Georgia. In addition to working an independent investigation, the FBI assisted the local task force with manpower, guidance and technical assistance. On February 27, 1982, Wayne Bertram Williams was found guilty on two counts of murder in Fulton County Superior Court, Atlanta, Georgia. He was sentenced to two consecutive life terms.
Carlo Gambino was investigated by the FBI for various criminal violations. In 1970, Gambino, said to be the "Boss of Bosses" was described as the most powerful racketeer in the country.
There are now a total of 52 subject
matters available to the public on this website. These documents
are a representative sampling of those in the FOIA Reading Room
located at FBI Headquarters. Portions have been blacked out to
protect personal privacy, confidential sources, national security,
etc., in accordance with the exemption provisions of the FOIA.
The FBI plans to add several new subjects to the Electronic Reading
Room on a monthly basis.