I have an audiotape that was transposed for me from three very old records. It was made by a sound specialist who works at Lincoln Center. The records were created by my father for his parents during a stopover in St. Louis as he headed to the Aleutian Islands during WWII. In one of the recordings my father mentions Ruby, who was with him in St. Louis as he also waited to be shipped out.
I always knew that Ruby Lazarus was my father's first cousin. My grandmother was the sister of Ruby's father.
Ruby was mentioned in Ed Reid's 1969 book, "The Grim Reapers." He died in 1991.
Ruby was mentioned in Ed Reid's 1969 book, "The Grim Reapers." He died in 1991.
Ruby Lazarus waiting to testify during the Grand Jury gambling investigation:
Photo by Frank Scherschel, Time Life Pictures: Getty Images
"`Q Do you know Tony Salerno?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Do you know Elliot Paul Price?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Do you know Jerry Zarowitz?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Why did you and Salerno leave Miami, Florida in October 1965?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Why did you and Salerno travel to Palm Springs, California in October 1965?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did you and Tony Salerno share a room at the Canyon Club Inn in Palm Springs, California?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 you were present at meetings at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, with Alo, Salerno, Price and Zarowitz?
"`A I decline to answer that question.' "I am sorry. That question was:
"`In October 1965 were you present at meetings at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, with Alo, Salerno, Price and Zarowitz?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Were telephones at 893 Camino del Sur, Palm Springs, California, used to transact gambling business and to place wagers?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did you use the phones there to lay off wagers?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did Tony Salerno use the phones there to conduct gambling business?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did Zarowitz use the phones there to call Las Vegas to transmit wagering information?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did Price use the phones there to call Massachusetts to conduct gambling operations?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Did Alo use the phone in connection with the gambling or other activities of the criminal syndicate known as La Cosa Nostra or the Mafia?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q What was the purpose of the meeting in October 1965 at Palm Springs, California?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Was there discussion at that meeting concerning the division of points in the ownership of Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Was there any discussion at that meeting concerning the conduct of a gambling layoff operation in the Eastern United States?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Was there a dispute at that meeting between you and Zarowitz?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Was there a dispute at that meeting between you and Price?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q What was the subject matter of the disputes?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Robert Lynn Martin in Las Vegas, Nevada?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to the Prokos Brothers in Miami, Florida?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Basil Milardi and Charles Cardinali in Union City, New Jersey?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Herbert Kaufman in Baltimore, Maryland?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q In October 1965 for what purpose was a telephone call placed from Palm Springs, California to Harry Chorodowsky, also known as Harry Clayton, in Brighton, Massachusetts?
"`A I decline to answer that question.
"`Q Mr. Lazarus, your persistence in declining to answer these questions leaves this Grand Jury with no choice but to return once more to the court to seek the assistance of the court in this matter.
"`I would ask that the foreman direct Mr. Lazarus that he is excused but is to remain nearby to await further court proceedings.
"`THE FOREMAN: You are so ordered.'"
Canyon Club Inn today:
My family took many trips to Las Vegas in the 1960s. My father was a friend of Ash Resnick, who organized gambling junkets.
This first photo of me was taken at the Stardust Hotel, in 1969. The next is of me at the hotel pool.
Canyon Club Inn today:
My family took many trips to Las Vegas in the 1960s. My father was a friend of Ash Resnick, who organized gambling junkets.
This first photo of me was taken at the Stardust Hotel, in 1969. The next is of me at the hotel pool.
Ash Resnick
