</s>September 26, 1968 AIRTEL To: SACs, Memphis (Enclosures 2) Jackson (Enclosure 2) FROM: Director, FBI (44-38861) NURKIN Enclosed are two copies of a memorandum received from the Department relative to the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. That relative sets forth interview of Mr. Bill Sartor by Department attorney on June 17, 1968, and August 22, 1968. however the memorandum was not furnished to us until September. 23, 1968 .. Memphis should completely evaluate the contents of the Departmental memorandum and submit comments and recommendations- tions to the departmental memorandum on behalf of the Departmental memorandum completed and investigative aspects of the This should be handled immediately. Jackson should immediately furnish furnish Bureaus and Memphis results of indices check concerning Sartors. Two copies of the Departmental memorandum furnished to Jackson in the event it becomes necessary for investigation to be conducted in the future. Based upon available data, No information recorded in Bureau files concerning Bill Sartsor. Bureau filed concerning Bill sartor. No interview of Sartour should de conducted until Bill Sarsor. IS7-9586-1047 SEARCHED HIDEDED SCRATED FLEDD SCP27 1968 FBJ-JACKSON 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains an FBI memorandum dated September 26, 1968, referencing a Departmental memorandum about the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., which was received by the FBI on September 23, 1968. It notes that Bill Sartor, a contract writer based in Greenville, Mississippi, was interviewed by a Department attorney on June 17 and August 22, 1968. The FBI instructed Memphis and Jackson to evaluate the memorandum’s contents and submit comments or recommendations. The Bureau stated there were no records of Sartor in its files and warned against interviewing him until further notice.  

The document also includes a separate report from Mr. Pollak dated September 17, 1968, detailing an interview with Sartor about alleged conspiracy theories surrounding MLK’s assassination. Sartor claimed he was contacted by Jesse Epps, who allegedly had ties to the Mississippi River and Mississippi State Police Department. Sartor described a potential conspiracy involving figures like Frank Liberto (alleged Southern Mafia chieftain in New Orleans), Carlos Marcello, and James Earl Ray. He mentioned financial transactions exceeding $300,000 to New Orleans, connections to segregationist groups like "Forever White," and possible involvement of Memphis police officers in facilitating Ray’s escape. Sartor also referenced a witness who allegedly heard a shot at the Lorraine Motel and saw a man flee, though this was confirmed by Bureau agents and Memphis Police.  

Key People  
- **Bill Sartor**: Contract writer based in Greenville, Mississippi; interviewed by FBI attorneys in 1968.  
- **Jesse Epps**: Allegedly linked to Mississippi River and Mississippi State Police Department; provided information to Sartor.  
- **Frank Liberto**: Alleged Southern Mafia chieftain in New Orleans; mentioned as a key figure in conspiracy theories.  
- **Carlos Marcello**: Noted as a potential connection through Mafia networks.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Alleged assassin of MLK; described as having ties to Memphis police and New Orleans mob figures.  
- **Claude Cockrell**: Allegedly a Memphis-based contact between the Mafia and other entities.  
- **John M. Mereren**: Civil rights activist from Somerville, Tennessee; overheard alleged conspiracy discussions.  

Key Locations  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Central to the investigation, with ties to police departments, the Lorraine Motel, and Sartor’s contacts.  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Mentioned as a hub for Mafia operations and financial transactions related to the conspiracy.  
- **Greenville, Mississippi**: Home of Bill Sartor; referenced in his connections to Memphis and New Orleans.  
- **Miami, Florida**: Alleged location where Claude Cockrell may have arranged Ray’s escape.  

Key Events  
- **Interviews with Bill Sartor**: Conducted by FBI attorneys on June 17 and August 22, 1968; Sartor provided information about alleged conspiracies involving the Mafia, Memphis police, and James Earl Ray.  
- **Alleged conspiracy to assassinate MLK**: Sartor described plans involving Mafia figures, financial transactions, and potential involvement of Memphis police officers.  
- **Witness accounts**: A boy allegedly saw a man flee after shooting at the Lorraine Motel; confirmed by Bureau agents and Memphis Police.  
- **Ray’s escape from Memphis**: Sartor claimed his movement was facilitated by Memphis police officers or Mafia connections.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews and requested evaluations of the Departmental memorandum.  
- **Memphis Police Department**: Allegedly involved in conspiracy theories, with officers possibly facilitating Ray’s escape.  
- **Mafia networks (e.g., Coosa Nostra, Southern Mafia)**: Mentioned as potential participants in financial transactions and conspiracies.  
- **"Forever White"**: A segregationist organization allegedly linked to Mafia operations in the South.

MLK Declassified Files

157-jn-9586_624938_427d-04-part_8_of_8.pdf

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