</s>at least three black members of the Memphis Police and Fire Department would have been overlooked. It is also very probable that black citizen "lead" input would have seen greater. B. As To The Security Investigation The task force was charged to address itself particularly to the question of whether the nature of the relationship between the Bureau and Dr. King called for criminal prosecution, disciplinary proceedings, or other appropriate action. Our responses follow. 1. Because the five year statute of limitations has long since we cannot recommend criminal prosecution of any Bureau personnel, past or present, responsible for the possible criminal harassment of Dr.King. (18 U.S.C. 3282). No evidence of a continuing conspiracy was found. 2. The responsibility for initiating and prolonging the security investigation rested on the deceased Director of the Bureauand his immediate lieutenantants, some of whom are also deceased and the remainder of whom are retired. They are beyond the reach of disciplinary action. The few Bureau personnel who had anything to do with the King security investigation and who are still in active service, did not make command decisions and merely followed orders. We do not -145- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary: The documents detail U.S. government surveillance of civil rights leaders, including Martin Luther King Jr., under the FBI’s COINTELPRO program during the 1960s. A memorandum dated August 23, 1963, outlines concerns about Communist Party USA (CPUSA) influence on King and his role as head of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC). It notes that CPUSA sought to exploit racial tensions for political gain and highlights King’s perceived significance as a "most dangerous and effective Negro leader." A SAC Letter from 1963 instructs field offices to address communist-Negro activities, emphasizing heightened efforts by the party to infiltrate civil rights movements. Legal cases referenced include a 1976 dispute involving James E. Ray, who disputes a criminal indictment tied to a 1968 Tennessee case and criticizes federal authorities for not participating in prior hearings. A separate 1976 civil lawsuit against Time Inc. involves multiple defendants linked to states such as Tennessee, Massachusetts, New York, Alabama, and others.  

Key People: Martin Luther King Jr., James E. Ray, W. Henry Helle, George Kollman, William Prattford Hule, Gerald Frank, Robert K. Moore, Brenda Pellicotti, James F. Walker, James O. Ray (case number #65477).  

Key Locations: Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, Alabama, Washington D.C., Shelby County, Tennessee, Hempie, Tennessee, Brushy Mountain, Petros, Tennessee.  

Key Events: 1963 memorandum on Communist Party influence on civil rights leaders; SAC Letter to field offices about communist-Negro activities; 1976 legal case involving James E. Ray and a criminal indictment from 1968; 1976 civil lawsuit against Time Inc. with multiple defendants.  

Key Organizations: Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), Communist Party, USA, U.S. Justice Department, Time Inc., Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

MLK Declassified Files

173-mx-1_sec_004_ser_366-part_4_of_5.pdf

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