Johnston City Raid - What really happened?

[Mr. Bond]

As the story goes, in 1972 Jansco's Show Bar was raided by the FBI (during tournament play) on a hunch that massive amounts of gambling was going on.

Allegedly there were many people arrested, and money was confiscated.

Allegedly there was a hearing the next day in St. Louis (or 3 days later? ) and Minnesota Fats showed up (late) - and for some reason or another - he ended up making a statement to the court in defense of the players and the event itself.

Allegedly the court/judges/prosecutor???? was so amused by Fats and his antics that the whole case was basically dropped and the monies returned.

If I have mis-stated anything, feel free to say so.

Knowing Fats was a HUGE storyteller, pun intended, I wonder how true this tale really is? Yes, I have heard and read many first-hand accounts from people who were there, but some details are always fuzzy or left out...

I have submitted a FOIA request to the FBI to find out if Fats did in fact make a statement, what exactly he said, and what official decision was rendered by the court.

 

[philly]

Just finished reading "The Hustler and The Champ." I'm sure you have read it. It is basically a comparison of the similarities and differences between Fats and Mosconi as they were almost exact contemporaries. Fats was larger than life. To call him an original is an understatement. He only did what he wanted to do. He was governed by himself.

 

[Texas Carom Club]

if he was better at anything other than billiards, it was running his mouth

 

[L.S. Dennis]

As the story goes, in 1972 Jansco's Show Bar was raided by the FBI (during tournament play) on a hunch that massive amounts of gambling was going on.

Allegedly there were many people arrested, and money was confiscated.

Allegedly there was a hearing the next day in St. Louis (or 3 days later? ) and Minnesota Fats showed up (late) - and for some reason or another - he ended up making a statement to the court in defense of the players and the event itself.

Allegedly the court/judges/prosecutor???? was so amused by Fats and his antics that the whole case was basically dropped and the monies returned.

If I have mis-stated anything, feel free to say so.

Knowing Fats was a HUGE storyteller, pun intended, I wonder how true this tale really is? Yes, I have heard and read many first-hand accounts from people who were there, but some details are always fuzzy or left out...

I have submitted a FOIA request to the FBI to find out if Fats did in fact make a statement, what exactly he said, and what official decision was rendered by the court.

I remember reading an account of this in either Pool and Billiards or Billiards Digest in the early nineties I believe.
I think your story is basically correct, once Fats got rolling it was all over for the prosecutor. I remember the whole court room in hysterics and the immediate verdict of not guilty rendered. I think I remeber reading that several members of the jury following Fats outside for his autograph as well!

 

[kling&allen]

Here's the Reuters wire report from October 26, 1972, regarding what he actually said:

Appears he was subpoenaed and not actually indicted (arrested). There's no later reports in the databases I have access to of him being charged with any crime.

 

[book collector]

Fats is one of the few people I would have liked to have met.

 

[cueman]

Fats is one of the few people I would have liked to have met.

I was able to meet Fats a few times at and around BCA trade show events in the 80s. I got to sit at the table with him at a banquet once. It is the only time in my life I have been to a real pig roast with the apple in its mouth. He was always kidding around and making big claims. I also got to hear him sit at a bar in a high end steak house in Nashville and entertain the people just telling stories. Our waiter said Fats came in every evening. His wife was a drop dead gorgeous lady about half his age at the time.

 

[carrymonster]

I love all sorts of mysteries of history, but I think that we will never know the truth about this. Of course you can hold a seance. lol

 

[Island Drive]

I was there the night the Treasury Dept. shut the place down and broke out those manila evelopes. Why? They then put your money in it, put your name on it and then let you go out the door to your car/home? etc. These men came with their supposed wives to blend in with the viewing crowd.
Book Collector.
I was fortunate enough to get to know the man a little better than most during my college yrs at SIU Carbondale.
He would visit a few times a yr Crazy Horse Billiards and entertain us college kids.
The last time I ran into him was in Sacramento at Terry Stoniers room. He was going back to the hotel and offered me a ride.
I really enjoyed this man, who's character and person were totally different off the green felts.
6 wks after fatty died I talked with Evelyn Wanderone in Dowell IL.
What a woman, spent 40+ yrs with this man, and they truly cared for each other.
She invited me out, so I drove 1K miles to visit her and talk/video/record their life, from the time they met till his death.
Rudolphs dad was a merchant marine.

 

[Island Drive]

Here's the Reuters wire report from October 26, 1972, regarding what he actually said:

View attachment 594155

Appears he was subpoenaed and not actually indicted (arrested). There's no later reports in the databases I have access to of him being charged with any crime.

Also, Ronnie Allen was not there that night, and I remember Rempe had Every dollar in his pockets accounted for.
Be interesting to hear Rempes side/take of this moment in time, in his early prime
.