Skimming also enabled the mafia to control casinos without any trace of ownership. The only connection was bags of cash being smuggled out.

From the Senate hearing...

QUESTADT

Is it true that you have a controlling interest in three of the major hotels in Las Vegas.


MICHAEL

No it is not true -- I own stock in some of the hotels there -- but very little.




and from Johnny Ola



JOHNNY OLA

He appreciates your concern, MICHAEL -- and your respect. The casino you're interested in -- the registered owners are Jacob Lawrence, Allen Barclay - they're both Beverly Hills Attorneys. The real owners are the old Lakeville Road group from Cleveland, and our friend in Miami. Meyer Klingman runs the store -- he runs a piece of it, too -- he does alright. But I've been instructed to tell you that if you move Klingman out, our friend in Miami will go along.