The Sinatra Files (57 page)

    
The letter by the unknown subject (UNSUB, in FBI jargon) prompted a three-month investigation. Among the techniques employed was a “psycholinguistics” analysis, for which the FBI hired a consultant. He found an extraordinary amount of hidden meaning in the fifty-two-word note
.

To: SSRA, Atlantic City
Attention:
Atlantic City
From: M. S. Miron, Psycholinguistics
Re: UNSUB; Frank Sinatra—Victim

Hobb’s Act

    Photofacsimile of a one page communication addressed to World International, postmarked May 12, 1980 was transmitted from the Atlantic City office for analysis.

DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE OF UNSUB

Based upon an analysis of the content and style of this communication, it is my opinion that UNSUB is a Caucasian male of foreign birth, who has resided in this country for at least 15 years and is between 45 and 55 years of age. I am not able to determine the nationality of the author from the evidence in hand, however given the clear signs of psychological identification this UNSUB feels for
the victim and the distinctive orthography, it is not improbable that UNSUB is of Italian origin.

Given the content emphasis of money, it is most likely that UNSUB is unemployed or in a low-income, blue collar occupation.

PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE OF UNSUB

In my judgment, UNSUB’s threat does not reflect content characteristics which would imply either the means or the determination for action. The threat is, I believe, instead based on UNSUB’s resentments over not being able to indulge himself with a trip he wishes to take. The communication has the form of a “sour grapes” rationalization of the privation UNSUB feels.

Use of such defense and the gastro-intestinal form of the threat, imply that UNSUB is a dependent personality with inadequate and immature coping strategies. Such speculation further implies that UNSUB may tend toward alcoholism and other such letter writing activities. It is not unlikely that UNSUB has written similar anonymous letters to public officials and/or commercial institutions.

The form of the threat is consistent with an interpretation of lack of subterfuge; i.e., use of re-mailers or disguised handwriting. I, therefore, conclude that UNSUB is a resident of the post-marked area.

The unusual telephone calls to the advertised number for the referenced junket are entirely consistent with the behavior to be expected from this UNSUB.

UNSUB probably is an habitual lottery player and gambler, but, in my judgment would not be expected to have a criminal record.

Support for the conclusion that this UNSUB poses no danger to the victim is provided by the following data observations. Note that UNSUB chooses to cast his manifest resentment in the responsibility diffusing form of the plural pronoun. Instead of implying the organizational support UNSUB undoubtedly intended, it is instead inconsistent with the personal determination characteristic of more dangerous threats. Note further that UNSUB chooses to make salient his “wanting” to take action in a form which
is distinctly fantasy-like rather than action-oriented. UNSUB ends with a reference to the passivity of “watch and see” which again is antithetical to action and, I believe, is characteristic of the passiveness of UNSUB himself.

    
The agent in charge of the probe summarized his or her efforts
.

    The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent
at Atlantic City, New Jersey:

On May 22, 1980,
Security Officer, New Jersey Bell Telephone Company,
was contacted concerning the receipt of calls at the World International (WI) Hotel on number 800-257-7912, which was identified as the toll-free number utilized by WI in their out-of-state advertising for the SINATRA weekend special. He referred this request for assistance to his counterpart at Bell of Pennsylvania.

On May 22, 1980,
Security Officer, Bell of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia Office, number
was contacted regarding this matter. He advised that arrangements would be made to trap calls from the Reading area to the 800 number used by WI. He also advised that he would attempt to retrieve any records of such calls on May 17 and May 20, 1980.

On May 22, 1980,
and
Intelligence Unit, Atlantic City Police Department (ACPD) were contacted for the purpose of reviewing their investigation in this matter and coordinating future steps.
furnished the original threat letter and its envelope (reported on separate FD-302) and advised that he received it on May 16, 1980, from ACPD employee
who received it from WI’s Reservations
who received it from
confirmed that the receipt of the threat had been reported to the intended victim through ACPD
.
SINATRA appearances in Atlantic City. A coordinating conference was subsequently scheduled for the following morning.