Another Question re: Valachi's "The Real Thing"

[BeatiPaoli]

To Everyone (especially the Mob Archeologists):

I am continuing to plod through Valachi's "The Real Thing." I am around page 333. There was something he wrote that confused me. I am going to write the passage verbatim: "I was shocked that there was no record on Buster when I say no record I mean it was off the police record that Buster got killed. Well I heard that they could not come up with Buster's record. I DID NOT NEED TO GET HIT ON THE HEAD TO KNOW WHY THERE WAS NO RECORD OF BUSTER BEING KILLED (emphasis mine). NOT ONLY WAS BUSTER'S RECORD MISSING ALSO STEVE RANELLI'S RECORD WAS MISSING and these two were very important in my life at the time. WELL I DID NOT SAY ANYTHING I COULD HAD SAID ON TV THAT THE POLICE TOOK OUT THE RECORD OF BOTH THESE TWO FELLOWS. ..........."

(1) I do not understand the significance of the "missing records"? What was Valachi trying to say? Were Buster and Ranelli informers? And (2) why could Valachi not say anything publicly that the records were missing?

What am I missing? Enlighten me, please.

Regards,

BeatiPaoli

[B.]

He's likely suggesting that the mob had their hooks into the PD and were able to get the records tossed in case there was anything incriminating and that he (Valachi) didn't want to say anything publicly that suggested mafia-connected police corruption.

Personally it sounds like he was making more out of it than he needed to.

[BeatiPaoli]

Dear B:

Thank you for the information and the quick reply! Much appreciated! Your explanation sounds more than reasonable.

Regards,

BeatiPaoli