</s>5-1 H00 054 3560215 PP BA BS LS NH SF WF DE HQ P 202153Z DEC 76 FM DIRECTOR DEC 76 FM BALTIMORE PRIORITY BOSTON PRIORIT LOUISVILLE PRIORIITY NEW HAVEN PRIORTY SAN FRANCISCO PRIORity WASHINGTON FIELD PRIORIUM BT EFTO MARTIN LUTHER KING J.R. FOR INFORMATION RECIPIENTS, THE DEPARTMENT'S OFFICE OF FOR INFORMATION RESPONSIBILITY (OPP) TASK FORCE HAS BEEN PROFESSIONAL RESPONSBILITY INVESTIGATION AND OUR INVESTICATION INVOLVING OUR SECURITY INVESTIGNATION ANDOUR INVESTGATION INVOLVIING THE ASSASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LINTHER KING, JR ., JR. OR PERSONNEL ADVISED THAT THEY INTEND TO INTERVIEW SEVERAL FORMER BUREAU OFFICIALS. THE INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONNERED WITH ASCERTAINING WHY CERTAIN INSTRUCTIONS AND ACTIONS WERE ISSUED FROM FBHIO TO THE FIELD AND OTHER ASPECTS OF THE ISSUERVISION OF THE MARTin LUTHR KING, Jr ., INVESTIGATIONS OF THE SCHALIZATED FILLED Colfe cale, subrtain calden, J.r. ., IR. INVESTIATIONSCINDEXIDO 12/12/96 12/19/96 12/1976 mno 8/20-10 Fbi .- BOSTON cable, me me 12-20-70 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail FBI internal communications from December 1976 regarding the Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR) Task Force’s interviews with former Bureau officials about the investigation into Martin Luther King Jr.’s (MLK) assassination. The interviews aimed to clarify directives issued by the FBI’s Field Bureau Headquarters (FBHIO) and assess actions taken during the MLK inquiry. Former officials interviewed included A. Selmont, F.J. Baumgardner, W.C. Sullivan, C.D. DeLoach, G.H. Scatterday, J.W. Brown, and M.L. McGowan. Instructions emphasized confidentiality obligations for former employees, restrictions on disclosing informants’ identities, and cooperation with the Department of Justice. The OPR Task Force aimed to complete interviews by December 21–22, 1976, to meet an Attorney General’s deadline.  

The documents also reference James Earl Ray, the convicted assassin of MLK, who sought congressional testimony in 1976 and was covered in media reports. The House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA) is noted as requesting FBI records related to MLK and other assassination inquiries up to December 31, 1968.  

The second set of documents includes index search slips and correspondence from 1976–1978 referencing FBI investigations into subversive activities, hate groups, and assassination-related inquiries. While direct links to MLK’s assassination are minimal, the Boston FBI office conducted searches for files on MLK and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), noting indirect references to Rev. Virgil Wood. The HSCA is mentioned as investigating JFK and MLK assassinations, planning public hearings in 1978. Other entries detail searches for Black Nationalist groups, racial intelligence programs, and administrative records.  

The third set of documents contains correspondence from 1979 involving Robert B. Cutler, who provided information on JFK and MLK assassinations. FBI file numbers such as BUFFLE 62-109060 and MURKIN BS 157-644 are referenced, along with claims about conspiracy theories involving Lee Harvey Oswald, James Earl Ray, and "the Umbrella Man" (TUM). The text mentions a HSCA report, the Single-Bullet Theory, and fabricated evidence. Technical details of weapons, such as an overhead flechette launcher (OFL), are discussed. Administrative notes reference declassification under Executive Order 14176/14178 and internal FBI procedures.  

Key People  
- **Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK)**: Central figure of the investigation; his assassination in 1968 is the subject of FBI inquiries.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Convicted assassin of MLK; referenced as seeking congressional testimony and mentioned in media coverage.  
- **Rev. Virgil Wood**: Indirectly connected to SCLC in Boston FBI records.  
- **Raoul**: Suspect/informer, details unclear.  
- **Lieutenant Dale Harrington**: Concord, NH police officer.  
- **Harold N. Bassett**: Assistant Director, DOJ.  
- **James J. Dunn Jr.**: Special Agent in Charge, FBI.  
- **Felix Deck**: "Mugshot Man."  
- **Paul Coffreye**: Potential SSN noted as [SSN REDACTED].  
- **Lee Harvey Oswald**: Alleged JFK assassin; referenced in conspiracy theories.  
- **"Umbrella Man" (TUM)**: Mentioned in Cutler’s correspondence.  

Key Locations  
- **Boston, Massachusetts**: FBI offices and Sullivan’s residence.  
- **Montreal, Quebec, Canada**: Reference to Raoul.  
- **Dallas, Texas**: JFK assassination site; Dealey Plaza.  
- **Washington, D.C.**: FBI headquarters and HSCA records requests.  
- **New Hampshire (Sugar Hill)**: W.C. Sullivan’s residence.  

Key Events  
- **Interviews with Former FBI Officials**: Conducted by OPR Task Force to review directives and actions related to MLK’s assassination investigation.  
- **James Earl Ray’s Testimony Request**: Ray sought congressional testimony in 1976, covered in media.  
- **HSCA Records Request**: House Select Committee on Assassinations requested FBI records on MLK and other assassinations up to December 31, 1968.  
- **FBI Searches for MLK/SCLC Records**: Conducted in Boston (1976–1978), with indirect references to Rev. Virgil Wood.  
- **HSCA Public Hearings Planning**: Scheduled for fall 1978 on JFK and MLK assassinations.  
- **FBI Review of Assassination Materials**: Ongoing investigations into JFK and MLK, including claims about conspiracy theories and fabricated evidence.  
- **Technical Weapon Details**: Discussion of overhead flechette launcher (OFL) in Cutler’s correspondence.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Central agency conducting investigations into MLK’s assassination and managing internal reviews.  
- **Office of Professional Responsibility (OPR)**: Task Force overseeing interviews with former officials.  
- **House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA)**: Congressional committee investigating JFK and MLK assassinations, requesting FBI records.  
- **Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)**: Indirectly referenced in Boston FBI records.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)**: Coordinating with the FBI on legal matters.  
- **Cutler Designs**: Architectural firm associated with Robert B. Cutler’s correspondence.

MLK Declassified Files

157-bs-644_hs1-852666761_178-03-part_3_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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