Article hints that SINATRA was President of U.S 
Nixon files show Sinatra was a pen pal
National Archives releases notes, letters between president and entertainer
Friday, November 30, 2007
http://www.nj.com/starledger/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-12/119640169593280.xml&coll=1&thispage=2
BY ROBERT COHEN
Star-Ledger Staff
WASHINGTON – Legendary FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover spent decades investigating Frank Sinatra and his possible ties to organized crime, but that didn’t stop Ol’ Blue Eyes from mourning his death and recommending a friend to replace him.
The National Archives this week released more than 10,000 documents from Richard Nixon’s presidency, including one letter indicating that the Hoboken-born crooner urged Nixon to fill the FBI vacancy with Los Angeles County Sheriff Peter Pitchess, a former FBI agent and associate of Sinatra’s.
“This is just a note to tell you how much I appreciated your telegram about the passing of J. Edgar Hoover. His death is, indeed, a great loss to our nation,” Nixon wrote to Sinatra in a letter dated May 10, 1972. "As you may know, I have decided to defer nominating a permanent successor to Director Hoover until after the forthcoming national election to insure that the Bureau retains its vital non-partisan character.
“However, I do welcome receiving the names of possible candidates for the Directorship, and your thoughtfulness in suggesting Sheriff Pitchess is especially appreciated,” the letter continued. “You may be assured we will keep your recommendation in mind.”
The Watergate break-in occurred about a month later, and Nixon, soon to be consumed by the scandal that would bring down his presidency in 1974, selected loyalist L. Patrick Gray as acting director. Gray was nominated in 1973 as permanent director, but the nomination was withdrawn after he admitted destroying documents given to him by White House counsel John Dean.
Nine years later, Pitchess publicly testified as a character witness for Sinatra when the singer was seeking a Nevada casino license. The sheriff told the gaming board he had investigated Sinatra and found no ties to the mob, asserting: “If Mr. Sinatra is a member of the Mafia, then I am the Godfather.”
In 1998, the FBI released its 1,275-page file on Sinatra, showing that the bureau had investigated dozens of rumors and claims dating back to 1938 just as the singer’s career was taking off. Many of the allegations dealt with Sinatra’s alleged mob ties.
Those allegations, in fact, were a key reason why President John F. Kennedy, just months before his assassination, broke ties with Sinatra. Until then, Sinatra had been a Kennedy social pal, organized his inaugural gala party and built a wing in his Palm Springs, Calif., compound that he thought would become JFK’s Western White House.
Sinatra subsequently became a supporter of Republicans, developing personal links with Nixon, his old Hollywood buddy Ronald Reagan, and later George H.W. Bush.
During the Nixon years, Sinatra maintained a close friendship with Spiro Agnew, Nixon’s vice president, who was forced to resign amid scandal. He contributed to Nixon’s 1972 re-election campaign, participated in his second inaugural, spent time at the president’s San Clemente, Calif., retreat and, in 1973, received his first invitation to sing at the White House during a visit by Italian Prime Minister Giulio Andreotti.
Nixon wrote to Sinatra on May 10, 1973, that the White House performance held the audience “spellbound.”
“Incidentally, your graciousness in rehearsing before members of the White House staff really made their day – and some of the young ladies present were nearly walking on air when they returned to their desks,” Nixon wrote.
But Nixon’s appreciation did not go as far as trying stop the House Select Committee on Crime from calling Sinatra to be questioned about possible business ties to organized crime.
A number of Sinatra’s friends wrote to Nixon appealing for his assistance in halting the congressional probe, but Dean, the White House counsel, responded in June 1972 that “the president has no authority to control or restrict these activities which are part of the legislative process.”
Sinatra remained loyal nonetheless.
That same month, Sinatra sent a handwritten note to Nixon after a Soviet summit. “May I say well done! Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!,” wrote Sinatra, signing the letter, “Affectionately, Francis.”
Nixon responded a week later, saying he was “deeply grateful for your expression of confidence and encouragement.”
On Oct. 3, 1972, Sinatra wrote to Nixon thanking him for sending “the marvelous picture taken with you in San Clemente. I shall always treasure it and remember a wonderful afternoon.”
It was not the only gift. Two years earlier, Rose Mary Woods, Nixon’s secretary, wrote to Sinatra saying: “The President thought you might like to have one of his golf balls. It is being sent to you under separate cover.”
As the Nixon impeachment inquiry was gathering steam in 1974, Sinatra stuck by his friend, sending him a telegram after that year’s State of the Union address.
“It is heartening to know I may continue to count on your support,” Nixon wrote back.
This is one of the recent articles from earlier in the week. We’ll have to find the one that talks about Sinatra and Hoover’s relationship. And where Sinatra asks Hoover to make “intelligence agency” appointments. No Kidding.
It seems Sinatra was HEAD of the Italian Mafia in the United States or at least its Press Officer and Laison to the U.S. Government.
If you have listened to the comments of comedien Don Rickles over the years. He “tries” to communicate the real fear and caution you should use when dealing with Frank Sinatra along with his “Chairman of The Board” comments. We now know. THEY WERE NOT KIDDING although disguised as “stand up humor”. Maybe not president but “Kissinger of the Italian Mob” or Co-President of the United States. This type of NONSENSE can not happen again.
Being a celebrity is not carte blanche to influence American government or policies.
TheCigMan
