</s>PAGE TWO (44-2386) TO SEE IF RAY GODFREY MAD EVERY PLAYED AT THE BAR DURING THE DAY WITH OTHER INDIVIDUALS. THE DAY BARTENDER ADVISED THAT CODFREy HAD NEVER PLAYED THERE WITH ANYONE DURNG DAY AT THE OFFICE. BRADY SHOWN SPREAD WITH PHOTOGRAPHS, UNABLE TO PICK OUT THE PHOTOGRAPH OF RALPH CLUND.) WHEN SPECIFICALLY SHOWN THIS PHOTOGRAPH, SHE ADVISID SHE HAS NEVER SEEN THIS INDIVDUAL. SHE IS POSITIVE THAT THE PERSON WHOSE LIKENESS IS REPRESENTED BY THE ARTIST'S CONCEPTION IS NOT THE PERSON WHOLE LIKENSES WHON SHE KNOWS AS BY THE ARDY'S ALSO ADVISION IS HOT AFTER PETE DAVIS SOLD HIS ESTABLISHMENT, SHE ALSO ADVISED THAT AFTER PETER DAVIS SOLID HIS IS LOCATED IN THE NEXT BLOCK FROM PETE'S BAR. SHE NEVER WORKED AT BILL BAILEY'S AND SHE NEVER WAS EMPLOYED BY LEVI'S CLARK. SHE FURTHER ADVISIED AFTER PETEE DAVIS SOLD HIS BAR, HE MENT TO WORK IN SAUDI ARABIA FOR ONE YEAR. BRADDY WAS UNABLE TO SUPPLY NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF ANY OF THE OLD-TIME CUSTOMERS OF PETE's BAR. EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE SOME OF THEM DROP IN AT HER BAR, BUT THIS IS NOT DONE ON A REGULAR BASIS. BRADEY AGAIN STATED THAT SHE KNOVES OF NO FRIENDS OF RAY GODFRET EITHER MUSICIANS OR CO-WORKERS NAMED RALPTH AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE RALFH SMITH OR RALPN SETZER (PHONETIC), SHE ALSO DOES NOT KNOW LEE GODFREFY. DIANE BRADYS FURTNER STARTED THAT SHE WOULD END PAGE TWO. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The document contains FBI investigative records related to the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on interviews and inquiries into potential conspiracies involving Ray Godfrey, Claude Powell, and Leon Powell. The investigation centers on alleged meetings at Pete’s Bar (later known as Bill Bailey’s) in Atlanta, Georgia, where Powell and his brother were approached by an unknown individual offering money to assassinate MLK. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the details of the meeting, including the amount offered ($25,000, $50,000, or $75,000), the identity of the proposer (Ray Godfrey, Arnold Ray Godfrey, or an unknown man), and whether the plot was genuine or fabricated. FBI interviews with witnesses such as Diane Brady (former bartender at Pete’s Bar), June Haley (day bartender at Bill Bailey’s), and Jackie Powell (wife of Claude Powell) yielded denials of familiarity with suspects or corroborating evidence. Telephone records, fingerprint checks, and reviews of liquor license ownership for Pete’s Bar (1455 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta) were examined to verify claims. The FBI also reviewed criminal histories of individuals linked to the case, including Lee Godfrey and Ray Godfrey, noting prior arrests for offenses such as fraud, assault, and traffic violations.  

Key People  
- **Leon Powell**: Allegedly approached by an unknown man in late October or early November 1967 at Pete’s Bar; interviewed by FBI in 1976.  
- **Claude Powell Jr.**: Brother of Leon Powell; allegedly approached for the assassination plot; interviewed in Midland, Texas.  
- **Ray Godfrey (Arnold Ray Godfrey)**: Alleged orchestrator of the assassination plot; described as a fugitive with criminal convictions including armed robbery and murder.  
- **Diane Brady**: Former bartender at Pete’s Bar who denied recognizing photographs of suspects.  
- **June Haley**: Day bartender at Bill Bailey’s who similarly denied familiarity with alleged conspirators.  
- **Jackie Powell**: Wife of Claude Powell, who dismissed the assassination plot as a fabrication.  
- **William Woodcock**: Roommate and business partner of Claude Powell; stated he was the only co-worker aware of the alleged meeting.  
- **Lee Godfrey**: Mentioned in connection with Ray Godfrey (possibly relative or associate); referenced in criminal records.  
- **Ralph Clund**: Alleged conspirator identified in photographs but denied by witnesses.  

Key Locations  
- **Pete’s Bar** (1455 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta): Central location for alleged meetings; later known as Bill Bailey’s, managed by Lewis W. Clark.  
- **Bill Bailey’s**: Formerly Pete’s Place; operated by Buck Bailey and later Lewis W. Clark.  
- **Midland, Texas**: Where Claude Powell Jr. was interviewed in 1976; also home to William Woodcock.  
- **Decatur, Georgia**: City where Powell and Leon Powell resided during the alleged meeting period.  
- **Fannin County, Georgia**: Location of Godfrey’s arrest and fugitive status.  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into potential assassination conspiracies involving Ray Godfrey and the Powell brothers.  
- Alleged 1967 meeting at Pete’s Bar where an unknown man offered $25,000–$75,000 to assassinate MLK; conflicting accounts of the plot’s authenticity.  
- FBI interviews with witnesses (Brady, Haley, Powell) who denied recognizing suspects or corroborating claims.  
- Review of telephone records and attempts to verify former patrons of Pete’s Bar.  
- Polygraph examinations of Leon and Claude Powell deemed inconclusive due to inconsistent statements about the amount offered and plot details.  
- Examination of criminal histories for Lee Godfrey and Ray Godfrey, including arrests for fraud, assault, and traffic violations.  
- Efforts to locate Godfrey and verify his movements in 1967–1968, including hotel records for room 211 at Scottish Inn, Midland, Texas.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, reviewed records, and coordinated with local law enforcement.  
- **Civil Rights Division**: Involved in the investigation of MLK’s assassination.  
- **Local Law Enforcement Agencies**: Including Cobb County Police and Atlanta police departments, referenced for locating individuals or verifying information.  
- **Fannin County Sheriff’s Office**: Provided background on Godfrey’s criminal history and fugitive status.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_006_ser_231_only-part_03_of_12.pdf

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