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Tn the four-page mimec- | Spe statement, Siffat- "Ton writers and investiga- o ra charged that investiga-_ tory bodies seeking publi- ¢ tity "to shaw they are ac- complishing some thing" have made a habit of sum- moning him. "For many years every time some Italian names are involved in anv inqui- rv—I pet a subpoena," the slatement said, "I appear. I am asked questions about scores of persons unknown to me. I am asked questions hased oan rumors and events which have never hap- pened, Tam subjected to the txpe of publicity 1 do not desire and do nol seck." Sinatra said his attor- neys believe the commis- sion subpoena was “im- dccund oon TSUCad ana properly served," and will make all possible legal efforts to quash it. However, the singer still . expressed w illingness to : meet with commission in- vestigators. "T have been, and still am, willing to answer any ; and all appropriate ques- | tions am not willing to become; part of any cireus,'".he said. \ Knowledge Denied Sinatra also disclaimed expert knowledge of life in , New Jersey, stale and home of his! widowed mother, HRY dae . Notwithstanding © . t h & fact that I am of Italian ; descent, I do.not have any knowledge of the extent or the manner in which ‘or- ganized crime' functions in the state of New Jersey or whether there is such a thing as ‘organized crime,’* Sinatra sat” ‘by “deposition or | personal interview, but I; ‘three-ring ° his native ; He complained that fic- tory bodies have long sought to connect him with organized crime for ealficaryi ™ Seli-Serving motives. _ One official agency that previously accused Sina- tra of having Mafia ties was the Nevada State Gaming Control Board, which in 1963 filed a complaint seeking to strip the singer of his interests in gambling casinos. The board alleged that Sinatra had entertained Mafia overlord Momo Sal- vatore (Sam) Giancana at the Cal-Neva Lodge in Lake Tahoc. Sinatra was then the principal owner of the $3 million resort and also owned 9° of the Sands in Las Vegas, am interest valued at about $380,000. Sinatra at first indicated he would fight the char- ges, but-in a surprise move decided to surrender his . gambling interests. Planned to Quit He said he had been . planning to quit the gam- bling business anyway to love, the entertainment industry, The singer was served ; With a subpoena June 25 ! by a New Jersey investiga- ; tions agent who caught up -with him aboard a yacht docked at Bahr's Landing Restaurant in Highland, NI. On the day he was : supposed to appear before | the New Jersey. probe, Sinatra and his party ar-- ‘rived in Freeport, Baha- iat a yachting vacas o _ devote full time to his first .