</s>-13- and cashied by the City National Bank, Palm Spring Branch on April 18, 1963. Cashier's check #217834 for $3,000.00 was deposited by Jim Braden on May 8, 1963 at the City National Bank, Beverly Hills Branch. On April 8,1963, cashier's checke #21785 for $2,000,00 was endorsed by Jim Braden and deposited by the Thunderbird Country Club of Palm Springs, California, at the Bank of America, Palm Springs Branch. A further examination of Braden's other miscellaneous checks revealed that on November 6, 1963 he wrote a $200.00 check for cash; November 19, 1963 wrote a check for $146.61 to General Telephone Company: November 20, 1963, $200,00 for cash-expenses which were cashied the Courtwright Corporation, Beverly Wilshire Hotel; November 21, 1963; $183.72 made out to the Ambassador; December 18,1963; $10.52 to Dinners Club; November 19,1963 , $147.31 to the May Company; December 19, 1965, $5.93 to Harrison Hartford Company, Legal printing; December 19, 1963 , $17.86 to the Standard Oil Company. Braden was released from the McNeil Island Federal Prison on February 13, 1959. He arrived in Los Angeles on February 14, 1959 and reported to the Federal Parole Office. The following are excerpts from Braden's parole report. While in prison he corresponded with ANTHONY SMALLDONE (Mafia member) regarding oil well deals. The following dates and notations are excerptsfrom Braden 's Federal Parole office record. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail financial records, parole histories, and investigative files involving Jim Braden (Eugene H. Brading), a former federal prisoner with ties to oil ventures and organized crime figures. Braden’s release from McNeil Island Federal Prison in 1959 is noted alongside his subsequent parole reports, which track his movements across Texas, Louisiana, Florida, and California. His financial activities include deposits at multiple banks between 1963–1965, business dealings with Morgan Brown Oil Company, Empire Oil Corporation (Nevada), and Empire Royalty Corporation (Louisiana). Braden’s correspondence with Anthony Smalldone, a Mafia member, is highlighted, along with legal disputes involving ex-wife Jean DeSanders. His interrogation by the Dallas Sheriff’s Department on November 22, 1963, following the JFK assassination, is recorded. Additional records include FBI and law enforcement files from 1934–1963, detailing arrests for theft, fraud, embezzlement, and gambling-related crimes involving individuals like Arthur Louis Clark Jr., Victor Pereira, and Bernard Brading. These files reference locations such as Las Vegas, Miami, Dallas, and Denver, with mentions of organized crime networks like the Purple Mob and Smallerons Clan. A 1963 Los Angeles Police Department letter references criminal operations in Colorado linked to Donald Aventy, Paul Augustus King, and the Smallerons Clan. Bank records from City National Bank in Beverly Hills include transaction logs tied to Gerald Chase and other individuals.  

Key People  
- Jim Braden (Eugene H. Brading): Former federal prisoner with oil business ventures, interrogated by Dallas Sheriff’s Department post-JFK assassination.  
- Anthony Smalldone: Mafia member with whom Braden corresponded regarding oil deals.  
- Victor Pereira: Business associate of Braden; convicted in 1952 for mail fraud and conspiracy.  
- Arthur Louis Clark Jr.: Linked to the Purple Mob, observed at airports in 1953, tied to Denver operations.  
- Bernard Brading (B): Discusses Dallas oil dealings, denies involvement in JFK assassination investigation.  
- Jean DeSanders: Ex-wife of Braden; involved in financial disputes over Empire Oil Corporation.  
- Gerald Chase: Bank account holder in Beverly Hills; associated with Braden’s financial activities.  
- Paul Augustus King: Linked to Smallerons Clan and Colorado-based criminal operations.  
- Donald Aventy: Mentioned in 1963 Los Angeles Police Department records as part of Denver-linked criminal networks.  

Key Locations  
- McNeil Island Federal Prison, Washington: Braden’s incarceration site (released February 13, 1959).  
- Dallas, Texas: Site of Braden’s interrogation post-JFK assassination; location of oil dealings and alleged JFK investigation ties.  
- Beverly Hills, California: Braden’s residence (825 Beverly Blvd); headquarters for vending machine syndicate.  
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Airport activity observed in 1953; linked to Jack Goldman and Casa Blanca.  
- Miami, Florida: Home address for Arthur Louis Clark Jr.  
- Denver, Colorado: Tied to Purple Mob operations and Ernie Woodward connections.  
- Houston, Texas: Mentioned in parole officer records as a location of Braden’s movements.  
- Lafayette, Louisiana: Location of Empire Royalty Corporation (Louisiana).  

Key Events  
- Braden’s release from McNeil Island Federal Prison and subsequent parole period (1959–1963).  
- Financial transactions involving oil royalties and corporate ventures by Braden and associates.  
- Interrogation by Dallas Sheriff’s Department on November 22, 1963, following the JFK assassination.  
- Convictions of Victor Pereira and Eugene H. Brading in 1952 for mail fraud and conspiracy.  
- Airport observations in October 1953 detailing movements of individuals linked to the Purple Mob and illicit business ventures.  
- Formation of companies like Rocky Mountain Enterprises and Security Industries under investigation by federal agencies.  
- Shoplifting arrests documented by Los Angeles Police Department, including Gerald Chase’s case.  

Key Organizations  
- McNeil Island Federal Prison: Institution where Braden was incarcerated.  
- Federal Parole Office (Los Angeles, Dallas, Houston): Monitored Braden’s parole activities.  
- Empire Oil Corporation (Nevada) and Empire Royalty Corporation (Louisiana): Businesses associated with Braden’s oil ventures.  
- Purple Mob: Criminal organization linked to Arthur Louis Clark Jr., Braden, and Denver-based operations.  
- Smallerons Clan: Alleged mafia-linked group in Colorado tied to Donald Aventy and Paul Augustus King.  
- Rocky Mountain Enterprises and Security Industries: Entities under investigation for vending machine syndicate activities.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), California Department of Justice, Los Angeles Police Department: Agencies involved in criminal investigations.  
- City National Bank (Beverly Hills): Financial institution with records tied to Gerald Chase and Braden’s transactions.

RFK Declassified Files

56-la-156-v_sec_001_ser_1--part_2_of_3.pdf

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