In July 1963, according to Gaming Control Board files, Frank Sinatra was the chief stockholder in the Cal Nevada Lodge at Lake Tahoe, Nevada. The singing McGuire Sisters were appearing there, and Phyllis McGuire was staying in Chalet No. 50.

Cal Nevada employees knew Sam Giancana was listed in Nevada's Black Book, and that he was also staying in Chalet No. 50. Since there was no show on that certain Monday (between July 17 and July 28), Giancana squired the songstress in a resort car to dinner in Reno.

Headed back to the Cal Nevada, they ran out of gas and, state investigators said, had to hoof it a considerable distance to the Christmas Tree Inn to call for help. An employee there recognized Giancana and tipped off authorities.

In the resulting flap, Sinatra phoned Gaming Control Board chairman Ed Olsen, whom Sinatra "maligned and vilified by the use of foul and repulsive language which was venomous to the extreme,'' according to reports. To make matters worse, a couple of gaming agents were at the Cal Neva verifying the casino count. Apparently, one lodge employee tried "to force money upon two audit agents (which was) tantamount to an attempt to bribe them and constituted an unsuitable method of operation.''

The Cal Nevada had a seasonal license at Tahoe. Sinatra decided his "investments and interests were too diversified and that it would be in my best interests to devote most, if not all, of my time to the entertainment industry.''