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·Memorandum
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To

SAC (137

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From

SUPV. DAMON T. TAYLOR

Date

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/J"( 11'1~ -o ~ - ~\1-\\~a-

9/22/81 .

W'l

Subject :

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On 5/21/80, writer was introducd to source'by
the operating Case Agent. Source provided to writer on the
above date, a general background conerning LCN influence in
the Eastern Conference of Teamsters. On 7/14/80, writer again met
with source in the presence of the Case Agent and discussed the
same topic. Five (5) of~he meetings tooi1Pp ace thereafter, involvi~g writer, Case Agent and source: duri
these meetings
source discussed public documents and gen al historical background regarding the teamsters union as w 11 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.

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In early April of 1981; writer was contacted by
Case Ag~nt · and was subsequently advised ~hat - the ,squrce had a -- ·
business relationship with DONALD and ROBE~T TRU~ - ~f ___the ....·
Trump Organization. The source, in this case ,·-·owns -iCpiece ·of
property (along with other partners) in Atlantic, City , __)ipon which
· the Trump Organization wants to build a casino. ~:In · early April, ··
1981, writer and case Agent _met with pc>NALD_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 heard 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

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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 Sp€ak
for th e FBI, or to guarantee anything, that if he in fact wished
to build in Atlantic City and decided firmly on this matter, they
would b€ glad to re-discuss the situation without making any
corn.mittments.

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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 th~t city. At an Atlantic Ci~y conference, writer discussed
with Bureau officials and the Atlantic City Resident Agency, the
possibility that a proposed casino owner ~ight 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 ai sclos ure during
the construction phase of this casino and .subsequently, once the
casino was ooerational. --TRUMP stated in order to show that he was
willing to _f~lly cooperate with the FBI, h~ suggested .fhat they
use undercover Aoen ts within the casino. Writer advised TRUMP tha·t
he could not speik for the FBI, and he co~ld_not·make~any , agreements
or promises as per Bureau policy in this matter.·· · TRUMP asked · ; ·
·writer his personal opinion regarding whether~he:should build in
Atlantic City. Writer advised TRUMP, on a·personal lev-el, not".as
a matter of Bureau policy, that he, (writer),· thought there were
easier ways that TRUMP could invest his money. TRUMP asked writer
if he could attempt to introduce him to appropriate officials
in the FBI with whom he could discuss this matter. Writer advised
TRUMP he would research Lhis matter further and re-contact him.

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At this point, 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 writer that he traveled to _Trenton, New Jersey on
Wednesday of the previous week and had met with DGE official,
HICKEY BROw~.
TRUMP advisea that BROWN told him that he had
•no problem" with TRUMP's background and expected him to be ·
lice~ed 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 BROw~ that source was the first individual
to preach "honesty" to him regarding his dealings in Atlantic City.
TRUMP advised that he also told BRO~tl that source had introduced
him to two Agents of the FBI, (one of the names given was that .of
writer).
TRUMP stated that BROWN told him. that source was not
candid with DGE regarding some questions, and that this might draw
out the investigation.
TRUMP advised writer that he told BROw~
of source's rela tionsh .ip with the P:SI only. in' the sense that :it · . '
might "n'ip things· in the bud", and prevent· future problems.
TRUMP
stated that he talked with BROWN about nothing of a substantive·
nature, p.'~rticularly involving any proposed. undercover ·activity.

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On the sa~e day, writer and Case Agent talked with
source. Source advised thathe had been interviewed by DGE approximately a month and ·a half ago. DGE asked for· docum~ntation regarding
source's business activities. Source· advised that his attorney had
inadvertently not sent DGE the appropriate documents, however,
would do so now.
Source further advised that DGE officials asked

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him about his relationship with the FBI based on a stack of
newspaper clippings which DGE officials had access to. Source
declined to answer this question.
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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, writer and Case
Agent have repeatedly told TRUMP that they were not referen~es
for sdurce and cannot speak for source's business dealings. The
TRUMPs have advised 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 1 some of whom ·
may be unsavory by the simple nature of the business. On
9/21/.Bl,·source contacted MICKEY BROWN of DGE at TRUHP's request.
Befofe source could elaborate on the matter of his call, BROWN
told him that he, (BROWN) , was at tempting 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
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was a source of the FBI simply did not come up. ·source told BR~WN
he was calling regarding a different matter and that his attorney
had inadvertently not sent appropriate business documentation to BROWJ

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BROWN

~~~Pf~~f;e~n~:;ar~7n~ 1 ;;~~~~. BR~~ ~:!!~~ ~~~i;;~ 'B~~~~ ~h~! vi~/on

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he would get ··back to him. On 9/22/81, SAC; Newark,· called writer .:
regarding his conversation with BROWN and the matter of his
future response.
It should be emphasized that TRUMP advised writer he
did not talk with BROw~ about anything concerning the proposed
undercover ac~ivity.
It should further be emphasized that source
is not aware of the matter of this proposed activity.

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