</s>104-10142-10228 01C4776-3243 10 November 1976 HSCA HCCA ASSESSINTER MENORANIUM FOR THE RECORD HSCAA SURJECT: Meeting with Richard Sprague, Chief Counsel, 77-0007/3 House Select Committee on Assassinations 77-0001/3 REFERENCE: Memorandum for the Record, 27 October 1976 Chrono (OLC 76-3094) 1. In follow up with the concept embodied in referent memorandum and in an effort to obtain further agreement on principles and further delinaction to upcoming requirements, I made arrangements to meet with Richard Sprague. Mr. Richard Reney, his Executive Assistant, sat in. Scott Breckridge, Deputy Inspector General, accompanied me to the meeting. 2. I opened by explaining Mr. Breckinridge's role and background and our interest in getting a better appreciation of the type and depth of support to the Committee would need us to facilitate their inquiry. It was supposed to be a better understanding of the situation. would enable us to posture ourselves to work efficiently and effectively together. Sprague as he had previously, appreciated the sincerity of our interests to be as cooperative and the importance of getting off on the right foot. a. Security - Sprague is in full agreement that the Committee needs a full-time professional security officer. I said the sooner the needs in order to work out the minimum security requirements of the Director in light of his statutory responsibilities for sources and methods. I told him to work on the minimum Security requirements of this director. I hold him had specific guidelines guidelines in mind and wanted to reach agreement as soon as possible but the last word I had received was agreed to be possible but I was sent to the security clearances. Heeney is to follow-up. I also mentioned that we would want security agreements with the staff, which I was accepted. b. Public Statements - Noting that the IV cameras had been filming Sprague prior to our meeting, I said to say the undergrinings for smoth operation between us would be strong discipline against leaks and public statements which could lead to press whispering between the Ampowering the Committee. We said that our part we would not feel at appropriate to commit on the substantive aspects of the investigation. APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1993 JFK ACT CA HISTORICAL-REVIEW PROGRAM 20174 RELEASE

Summary  
This document records a meeting between representatives of the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) and Richard Sprague, Chief Counsel of the committee, held on 10 November 1976. The discussion focused on procedural arrangements for the committee’s investigation into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., including security protocols, organizational structure, document management, and coordination with federal agencies. Sprague emphasized the need for a full-time professional security officer and outlined plans for two task forces: one dedicated to the MLK assassination and another to the JFK assassination. The MLK task force would be led by Robert Lehrer. Concerns were raised about potential destruction of relevant documents, prompting efforts to secure legal protections. The meeting also addressed restrictions on public statements and interviews, with emphasis on maintaining confidentiality for sensitive information.  

Key People  
- Richard Sprague: Chief Counsel of the HSCA, discussed security, organization, and procedural matters.  
- Scott Breckridge: Deputy Inspector General, accompanied the delegation to the meeting.  
- Robert Lehrer: Task force leader for the MLK assassination investigation.  
- Hal Bean: Assigned to draft a letter regarding document preservation.  
- Tambunam: Key contact on the committee’s staff for Mafia-related cases.  

Key Locations  
- Washington D.C.: Implied as the location of the HSCA headquarters and meeting venue.  
- Federal Register: Mentioned in context of document preservation efforts.  

Key Events  
- Meeting between HSCA representatives and Sprague to finalize investigative protocols.  
- Establishment of two task forces (MLK and JFK assassination investigations).  
- Discussion on security clearances, document handling, and interview arrangements.  
- Addressing concerns about potential destruction of documents and legal protections.  
- Agreement to schedule a follow-up session for further coordination.  

Key Organizations  
- House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA): Led the investigation into MLK’s assassination.  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Implied through references to agency materials on King and Lee Harvey Oswald.  
- Office of Legal Counsel (OLC): Involved in procedural discussions regarding document preservation.

MLK Declassified Files

00436020_meeting_with_richard_spra_104-10142-10228.pdf

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