</s>FD-38 (Rev. 2-14-74) FBI Date: Transmit the following in (Type in plainst xt or code) Vin (Precedence) AT 44-2386. PAGE FOUR. DOROTHY DAVIS ADVISED HER HUSBAND DID OWN AND OPERATE BAR ON MORELAND AVENUE, AND AT ONE TIME WAS KNOWN AS PETE'S PLACE. HUSBAN DIED MAY, 1975. SHE SHE IS AFMAMILAR WITH THE NAMES RAPH COW, LEON AND CLAUDE POWELL, SHE REMEMBER HER HUSBAND TALKING ABOUT RAY GOOFFRY, HOWEVER, HAS NO IDEA HOW HE COULD BE LOCATED. Numerous ATTEMPTES TO LOCATE ANNIE LOTS COMPOS AT HER RESIDENCE. 4120 GLENWOOD ROAD DURING JANUARY 7, 1976, 1975, PROVED NEGATIVE. ON JANURY 7, 1966, MRS. E. S. S ., PENNINGTON, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNEL, CITY OF ATLANTA, MISS. E S. PENNINGTON, DIRECTOR OF PERSONNL, CITY of ATLANZA, ADVISIDED SHE HAS REVIEWED CITY PERSONAL RECORDS AND COULD FIND OUT OF RECORD OF RAY GODFREY OR RAYMOND GOOFRY EMPLOYED OR HAVING EVER BEEN EMPLOVED BY THE CITY OF ATLANTIA. C. L. SNEED, SECRETARY, MISCANTS NUMBER 148, ATLANTHA, GEORGIA, ADVISED HIS REVISED UNION'S RECOROS AND COULD NFIND NO REFERENCE TO PAY GODFFREY. RECORDS OF ATLANTA PD NO NEGATIVE REGARDING RAY Godfrey. END PAGE FOUR. Approved: Sent M Per Special Agent in Charge 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
Claude Powell Jr., a drywall carpenter from Midland, Texas, reported being approached by an unknown individual at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, Georgia, approximately four weeks prior to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The unknown person offered Powell and his brother $50,000 to kill MLK, with an additional $50,000 upon completion. Powell denied prior knowledge of the plot but described the meeting in detail, including the unknown man’s briefcase and his claim to be a lawyer. Powell stated he and his brother did not proceed with the plan and had no contact with the individual since. The FBI sought to verify Powell’s statements through polygraph examinations and investigated potential phone records from the Scottish Inn Motel where Powell resided. Ray Godfrey, a mutual friend, was also interviewed as part of the inquiry.  

Key People:  
- **Claude Powell Jr.**: Reported being approached by an unknown man offering money to kill MLK.  
- **Leon Powell**: Powell’s brother, who allegedly accompanied him during the meeting with the unknown individual.  
- **Ray Godfrey**: A mutual friend who facilitated contact between Powell and the unknown person.  
- **Pete Davis**: Bar owner at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, who reportedly observed the unknown man entering and exiting the bar.  

Key Locations:  
- **Pete's Bar**, Atlanta, Georgia: Site of the alleged meeting between Powell, his brother, and the unknown individual.  
- **Scottish Inn Motel**, Midland, Texas: Where Powell resided during the investigation; phone records were requested for verification.  

Key Events:  
- **Offer to kill MLK**: An unknown man approached Powell and his brother at Pete's Bar, offering $50,000 for the assassination of MLK.  
- **FBI polygraph requests**: The Bureau sought to confirm Powell’s statements through polygraph examinations.  
- **Phone record investigation**: Requested records from the Scottish Inn Motel to determine if Powell had telephonic contact with Leon Powell or others.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, requested polygraphs, and investigated phone records as part of the inquiry into MLK’s assassination.  
- **Civil Rights Division**: Requested additional investigation into Ray Godfrey and Claude Powell’s statements.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_164-02-part_2_of_5.pdf

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