</s>FD-209 (Rev ., Rev ., 9-13-45) OPTIONS OF REV ., 8-14-05) 501-10-104 GALL (843) BOTTON, N.Y. 601-843 BOTTO, N ., 7 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO SAC (137-3318) DATE: 4/29/68 SAC (137-3188) DATE 4/ 29/68 (R (Prob) FROM : SA (C1 S1 (S1 (R) SUBJECT: LOUIS MONJU XPCI XPCi OPI DATES OF Contact 3/25 and 4/23/68 Titles & File #s on which contacted JOHN E. SPENCER aka - FUGITIVE 76-3198 MURKIN 157-10673 Purpose and results of contact RNNEGATIVE POSITIVE STATISTIC Re 76-3189 (3/26/68) PCI advised subject had never applied for work at his employment agency. Records also checked, but with negative results. Re 157-10693 (4/23(68) PCI advised photo of JAMES EARL RAY unknown to him. Re 157+10673 (4)/23 (68) Re Informant certified (that he has Rating Coverage (finished all information obtained by him since last contact. Good Fugitive Matters, RM 1-137-3818 SEARCHED INDEXED SEALIZED - 76-318B (HARRIGAN) - FILLED 1- - 157-3138 (HARRIAN) APR 0 0 1968 (RJH)epk) (CALLENDER) FBI-NEW ORLEANS (3) Calendale 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations in 1967–1968 focused on James Earl Ray, a suspect linked to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and related individuals such as Louis Lomax, Pafford, Rita Rehopf, and Samuel J. Recile. Key activities include tracking Ray’s movements across New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Memphis, Houston, Shreveport, and Los Angeles, with emphasis on verifying his presence in New Orleans between March 17–24, 1968. The FBI coordinated with local law enforcement to identify individuals matching Ray’s description, reviewed telephone records, barbershop listings, and hotel registers, and explored connections between Ray and Delta Airlines employees like Rita Rehopf. Investigations also examined financial and legal ties involving Samuel J. Recile, including real estate ventures, gambling operations, and potential links to organized crime groups such as La Cosa Nostra in New Orleans. Some records reference administrative tasks, fugitive tracking, and inquiries into threats against MLK from 1965, though no direct connection between Recile or other figures and the assassination is established.  

Key People  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected assassin of MLK Jr., tracked for movements in 1967–1968.  
- **Louis Lomax**: Associated with MLK-related activities; investigated for potential connections to Ray.  
- **Pafford**: Alleged threat against MLK in 1965, later linked to Arkansas investigations.  
- **Rita Rehopf**: Delta Airlines employee connected to Ray through family ties.  
- **Samuel J. Recile**: Real estate promoter with financial disputes and alleged ties to organized crime.  
- **Carlos Marcello**: Italian-American criminal figure associated with La Cosa Nostra and real estate/gambling operations in New Orleans.  
- **Louis Karnatz**: Linked to stadium development projects in New Orleans with potential funding sources.  
- **Frank Vincent Timphony**: Referenced in FBI records related to gambling activities.  

Key Locations  
- **New Orleans, Louisiana**: Central hub for investigations, including the French Quarter, hotels, and barbershops.  
- **Baton Rouge, Louisiana**: Mentioned in context of barbershop listings and property ownership by Recile.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: FBI coordination and records related to MLK assassination investigation.  
- **Houston, Texas**: Ray’s alleged phone booth activity investigated.  
- **Shreveport, Louisiana**: Payphone inquiry referenced.  
- **Los Angeles, California**: Ray departed via car on March 17–18, 1968.  

Key Events  
- FBI verification of James Earl Ray’s movements in New Orleans (March 21, 1968) and coordination with local law enforcement for surveillance.  
- Investigation into Louis Lomax’s associations, travel patterns, and potential connections to Ray.  
- Examination of Pafford’s alleged threats against MLK in 1965 and subsequent Arkansas investigations.  
- Inquiry into Rita Rehopf’s family ties to Ray and Delta Airlines employment.  
- Review of Samuel J. Recile’s financial records, including bankruptcy proceedings for Plaza Towers Corporation and real estate disputes.  
- FBI monitoring of organized crime networks linked to Carlos Marcello and La Cosa Nostra in New Orleans.  
- Tracking of fugitives such as Joseph F. Labadot and Samuel Joseph Williams, with some records indicating negative results.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Led investigations into Ray, Recile, and organized crime networks; coordinated with local law enforcement.  
- **Southern Bell Telephone Company**: Mentioned in context of phone record inquiries.  
- **La Cosa Nostra**: Organized crime group referenced as potentially linked to Marcello and Recile’s activities.  
- **New Orleans Division (FBI)**: Reported on Recile’s legal issues and real estate dealings.  
- **Southern Land Corporation**: Company controlled by Recile, involved in real estate speculation.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Including Louisiana State Police, St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, and New Orleans Police Department, assisted with fingerprint records and surveillance efforts.

MLK Declassified Files

157-no-10673_hs1-852666771_123-07-part_2_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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