</s>PAGE TWO (44-38861) POWELL, JR ., AS TO AVAILABILITY AND CONTACT SAN ANTONIO DIVISION. DIRECT RE ARRANGING THE TIME AND PLACE FOR THIS POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION: OBTAIN NECESSARY WAVERS. HANDLE PROMPTLY AND SUTEL SUMMARY RESULTS. COPY NAILED MEMPHIS. END 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into allegations made by Leon Owen Powell in January 1976 regarding his brother Claude Powell and Arnold Ray Godfrey being approached in late October–early November 1967 to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Powell claimed he and his brother were contacted at Pete’s Bar in Atlanta, Georgia, by a mutual friend, Ray Godfrey, who offered $50,000 for the plot. A second individual, Ralph (last name unknown), approached them approximately one week later with additional funds if they agreed to proceed. The Powells declined both offers, and Ralph left without further discussion. Powell stated his brother had a criminal history involving firearms, which allegedly made him a target for such an offer. The FBI sought to verify these claims by conducting polygraph examinations for Leon and Claude Powell, Arnold Ray Godfrey, and checking phone records from the Scottish Inn Motel in Midland, Texas, where Claude Powell resided. Investigations also included reviewing fingerprint records, employment histories, bar ownership details (e.g., Pete’s Place), and verifying Ray Godfrey’s existence through multiple agencies. The FBI coordinated with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division to oversee the investigation, including requests for facial identification of Ralph and verification of Claude Powell’s incarceration history alongside James Earl Ray.  

Key People  
- **Leon Owen Powell**: Alleged to have been approached in 1967 about murdering MLK; provided details about encounters with Ray Godfrey and Ralph (LNU).  
- **Claude Powell, Jr.**: Brother of Leon Powell; allegedly approached alongside him at Pete’s Bar; had a criminal history including armed robbery and drunk driving.  
- **Arnold Ray Godfrey**: Identified as a mutual friend who initially offered the Powells $50,000 for the assassination plot; no confirmed employment or residence records found.  
- **Ralph (last name unknown)**: Individual who approached the Powells a second time with additional funds; described as a professional in a specific field.  
- **Pete Davis**: Owner of Pete’s Bar where the alleged encounters occurred; his wife, Dorothy Davis, was contacted for information.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected perpetrator of MLK’s assassination; investigated for potential incarceration with Claude Powell.  

Key Locations  
- **Pete’s Bar, Atlanta, Georgia**: Site of the alleged 1967 encounters between the Powells and Godfrey/Ralph.  
- **Scottish Inn Motel, Midland, Texas**: Hotel where Claude Powell resided during the investigation period (1975–1976); phone records reviewed for communication patterns.  
- **Atlanta, Georgia**: Location of Diane Clune’s bar, “The Office,” and Pete’s Place; also home to Leon Powell’s residence.  
- **Charlotte, North Carolina**: Site of Claude Powell’s 1949 armed robbery arrest.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Mentioned as a location for document distribution and follow-up actions.  

Key Events  
- **October–November 1967**: Leon Owen Powell and his brother allegedly approached at Pete’s Bar by Ray Godfrey regarding a $50,000 offer to kill MLK.  
- **Approximately one week later**: Ralph (LNU) approached the Powells again with an additional $25,000 offer; they declined.  
- **January 1976**: FBI and DOJ initiated formal investigation into Powell’s allegations, including facial identification of Ralph, verification of Powell’s incarceration history with James Earl Ray, and polygraph examinations for Leon and Claude Powell.  
- **Phone Record Review**: FBI checked Scottish Inn Motel records for calls made by Claude Powell.  
- **Fingerprint Records**: FBI reviewed identification files for Leon Owen Powell, Claude Powell, and Arnold Ray Godfrey.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted polygraph examinations, interviews, record checks, and coordinated with the DOJ to investigate Powell’s allegations.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (CRD)**: Oversaw the investigation into Powell’s claims and requested a polygraph examination for Leon Owen Powell.  
- **Atlanta Field Office**: Provided initial information and facilitated communication between the FBI and DOJ.

MLK Declassified Files

190-hq-709_bulky_231_sec_006_ser_231_only-part_05_of_12.pdf

Document Summary

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