FOIA Request

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Virginia Freedom of Information Act, I hereby request the following records:

Any and all files relating to the 1985 investigations of Salvatore Giambanco, Vincenzo Giambanco, Italian Delight pizzeria restaurants and their involvement or connections to organized crime.

Link:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/06/30/pizzerias-investigated-for-organized-crime-ties/d94ff979-e4d8-46d8-96a3-d7e3ceb436ff/?utm_term=.50d08b1c6bcb

"Individuals who law enforcement authorities claim are members of organized crime families or are their known business associates are listed as operators of pizzerias and Italian-style restaurants in...Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia."

"Virginia authorities have investigated the operations of Richmond businessman Salvatore Giambanco, who has been instrumental in the establishment of at least 15 Virginia pizzerias and Italian-style restaurants, including two in the Dale City-Woodbridge area. Police said Giambanco was a close associate of convicted heroin trafficker Emanuale Adamita."

The requested documents will be made available to the general public, and this request is not being made for commercial purposes.

In the event that there are fees, I would be grateful if you would inform me of the total charges in advance of fulfilling my request. I would prefer the request filled electronically, by e-mail attachment if available or CD-ROM if not.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated cooperation in this matter. I look forward to receiving your response to this request within 5 business days, as the statute requires.

Please note that I am a citizen of Virginia, and am using MuckRock's services to help manage and track my request.

Sincerely,

Tom Nash

I am appealing my FOIA request sent on 6/21/17, regarding "any and all files relating to the 1985 investigations of Salvatore Giambanco, Vincenzo Giambanco, Italian Delight pizzeria restaurants and their involvement or connections to organized crime."

According to this Washington Post article:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1985/06/30/pizzerias-investigated-for-organized-crime-ties/d94ff979-e4d8-46d8-96a3-d7e3ceb436ff/?utm_term=.5ba9f5564e12

Virginia State Police Involved in the Investigation:

"The investigation, which has been in progress for about two years and covers at least five states, involves the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, the U.S. Customs Service, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service, Maryland and Virginia state police, the Pennsylvania Crime Commission, Prince William County police and District of Columbia police."

Fairfax & Prince William counties, Virginia Beach-Hampton area and Bristol, Va, are all listed as areas searched by police in the course of this investigation:

"Individuals who law enforcement authorities claim are members of organized crime families or are their known business associates are listed as operators of pizzerias and Italian-style restaurants in the District of Columbia, Prince George's, Howard and Anne Arundel counties in Maryland and Fairfax and Prince William counties in Virginia, according to records checked by The Washington Post. Records also show similar links to eateries in communities from Hagerstown, Frederick and Baltimore to the Virginia Beach-Hampton area and Bristol, Va., on the Tennessee border."

Investigation extends through Virginia..:

"A U.S. immigration service official involved in the investigation in the metropolitan area said it was part of a "widespread federal investigation ongoing into pizza restaurants in the entire region. It extends through Virginia, Maryland and D.C., to Frederick, Hagerstown and into Pennsylvania and beyond. . . . It covers drugs, illegals aliens without valid visas , profit skimming unreported profits on which taxes are not paid ."

Virginia authorities investigated operations of Richmond businessman Salvatore Giambanco:

"Virginia authorities have investigated the operations of Richmond businessman Salvatore Giambanco, who has been instrumental in the establishment of at least 15 Virginia pizzerias and Italian-style restaurants, including two in the Dale City-Woodbridge area. Police said Giambanco was a close associate of convicted heroin trafficker Emanuale Adamita."

Giambanco indicted by Grand Jury in Richmond:

"Giambanco, 38, who also uses the name "Jimmy Fontana," was indicted following a special grand jury investigation probing organized crime in Richmond and convicted of grand larceny and inducing perjury, court records show. He served one year of an 11-year prison sentence."

Italian Delight Restaurants in Virginia:

"In various combinations with other partners, DiVivo and Pesce are listed on state records as owners or franchisers of at least a dozen Italian Delight restaurants in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania."

I trust that upon re-consideration, you will reverse the decision denying me access to this material and grant my original request.

Sincerely,

Kenneth Whittle