</s>104-10065-10451 ACTI SECRET JFK 7-17-97-1 RELEASE 29 November 1976 MEMORANDUM FOR: Mr. William W. Wells Deputy Director for Operations Mr. Theodore G. Shackley Associate Deputy Director for operations CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM FROM John Walker : : S/A/S/DO/O/O CIA Historical REVIEW Program : SUBJECT : Visit to DDO's Office by Mr. Richard A. Richard a. (m/2/87/97 RELEASE IN FULL 1997 : Sprague, Chief Counsel for the House Committee on Investigations of Assassinations 1. On 24 November 1976, Mr. Richmond A. Sprague, Chief Counsel for the HOUSE Committee appointed to investigate the assassinations for former President John F. Kennedy and Civil Assassination of President John J. Kennedy to investigate and rights for the former President Joseph F. Kennedy and others building. Sprague was accompanied by Mr . Donovan Gay and Mr. Richard Feeney, members of his staff. Spragu's tour was conducted by Mr .. Lyle Miller of the Office of Legislative Counsel. During the course of his visit, Sprague received a briefing on the Registry conducted by MR. Bruce Johnson. He also met briefly with those members of the CIA Staff responsible for the Oswald files and with the Division representatives in connection with the Cuban operations files. 3. Spragute was disarming in manner. He constantly emphasizes that he did not wish to discuss any classified materials until such time as he and his staff members received security clearances. He sympathizes with the remembered burden of work that various investigations had briefed on burden that he would not have had count on Agency personnel to assist him in analysis of the material provided. He hoped that he could not have to he indicated a preference for the Headquarters building. He indicated a reference for him to the headquarters building. in which his investigators could review the documents on the premises and that such documents would be kept readily avail- able to secure location for scrutiny by his staff." 4. Spraggue wanted assurance that no documents. He interacted with the investigators would be destroyed. He questioned that his investigators would not be destroyed, point by stating that it was his responsibility to decide which documentions were "relevant" to his investigations and not the <loc_184><loc_921>responsibility of the Agency to make this determination. SECRET

Summary  
This document details a 1976 visit by Richmond A. Sprague, Chief Counsel for the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), to CIA headquarters. Sprague sought access to classified materials related to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and other investigations. During his visit, he met with CIA staff, including Bruce Johnson and representatives from the Cuban operations division, to discuss document accessibility and investigative procedures. Sprague emphasized his need for security clearances before reviewing classified information and expressed concerns about document preservation. He inquired about the Registry system’s ability to retrieve specific records, such as defectors to the Soviet Union, and requested clarification on potential gaps in documentation. The CIA staff provided responses regarding Oswald-related materials but noted uncertainties about erased tapes. Sprague indicated an interest in a chronological review of Cuban material and expressed skepticism about the completeness of prior investigations. No definitive conclusions were drawn from the meeting, though Sprague’s thorough preparation and focus on transparency were noted.  

Key People  
- Richmond A. Sprague: Chief Counsel for the HSCA, led the investigation into JFK assassination.  
- Bruce Johnson: CIA staff member who briefed Sprague on the Registry system.  
- Lyle Miller: Office of Legislative Counsel representative overseeing Sprague’s tour.  
- Theodore G. Shackley: Associate Deputy Director for Operations at CIA.  
- William W. Wells: Deputy Director for Operations at CIA.  

Key Locations  
- CIA Headquarters (Washington, D.C.)  
- Office of Legislative Counsel (CIA)  
- Registry system (CIA database for record-keeping).  

Key Events  
- Sprague’s 1976 visit to CIA offices to request access to classified materials related to JFK assassination investigations.  
- Discussions about document preservation, security clearances, and the use of the Registry system.  
- Inquiries regarding Oswald’s activities in Mexico City and potential gaps in recorded evidence.  
- Exchange on the completeness of prior investigations (e.g., Warren Commission findings).  

Key Organizations  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA): Conducted post-Warren Commission investigation into JFK assassination.  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Provided documents, staff, and technical support for the HSCA’s review.  
- Office of Legislative Counsel: Facilitated Sprague’s access to CIA facilities and records.

MLK Declassified Files

00279990_visit_by_hscas_sprague_to_104-10065-10431.pdf

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