NEW YORK CABARETS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29367, 21 November 1960, Page 11

NEW YORK CABARETS

Sinatra Involved In Graft Inquiry

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) NEW YORK, Nov. 17.

The singer, Frank Sinatra, today was involved in investigations into alleged police graft in New York city’s night club operations.

The leaders of two investigations into the charges both said yesterday they would attempt to get Sinatra to tell about appearances he claimed to have made in Manhattan night clubs without holding a cabaret performer’s permit

The City Investigations Commissioner (Mr Louis Kaplan) and the Police Commissioner (Mr Stephen Kennedy) said they would seek Sinatra’s testimony concerning the statement he made in Hollywood on learning of the cabaret graft charges. Sinatra said he had performed at New York’s Copacabana night club in 1957 and at night clubs in the city at other times, without holding a performer’s permit. He said he had no intention of obtaining one for future appearances, because he considered the card demeaning. A citizens’ group has charged there is widespread bribery in connexion with the issuing and enforcement of these permits. In effect, such permits amount to a licence enabling an entertainer to obtain employment in the city. The current inquiry began after a “citizens’ emergency committee” asked the Governor of New York (Mr Nelson Rockefeller) to order a State inquiry into alleged police graft in issuing the permits.