</s>FEDERAL BUREAL BUREAO FED. 245 (HEV. 41540) H. S. Department of Justice MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILED 5 YEAR RULE, STORMIL, SCHOOL. FEDERAL BURREAL DO NOT DESTROY PERSONNANT SEE $0.99. ATLANTA INVESTIGATION Bureau File Number 44-3896/1 Cadillac, Alabama. ENT ALL INFORMATION CONTANTA HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED ASSIFICATION DATE: 01/29/20/21/21 /22/22/21 See also Nos. DO NOT DESROY PRESERVE FOR SELECT COMMITE ON ASSASSINATIONA NO.8 wilen 1-9.74 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail an FBI investigation into potential involvement of LEON OWEN POWELL and his brother CLAUDE POWELL in a 1967 plot to assassinate MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., with connections to RAY GODFREY and an unidentified white male referred to as RALPH. In 1967, the brothers were approached by GODFREY, who allegedly offered them $50,000 for the assassination; they declined. Later in 1972–1973, they met with RALPH at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, where he presented a briefcase containing $25,000 and hinted at additional funds, though he never explicitly mentioned MLK’s assassination. The brothers refused the offer. In 1976, FBI agents conducted polygraph examinations of POWELL, GODFREY, and others, which yielded inconclusive results. The investigation also included attempts to create an artist’s sketch of RALPH based on descriptions from POWELL. Additional records reference fragmented inquiries into Pete's Bar patrons and potential links to MLK’s assassination, including interviews with bar owners, witnesses, and individuals like Arnold Ray Godfrey, who had ties to the Atlanta Sewer Department and music industry.  

Key People  
- **LEON OWEN POWELL**: White male, self-employed d’well installer; served in U.S. Army (1952–1955), discharged for AWOL; history of alcohol use and carrying a shotgun.  
- **CLAUDE POWELL**: Brother of LEON OWEN POWELL; involved in 1967 plot discussion with GODFREY and RALPH.  
- **RAY GODFREY**: Alleged intermediary offering money for MLK’s assassination; former employee of Atlanta Sewer Department, associated with Venable Music Company.  
- **RALPH (Last Name Unknown)**: White male who approached POWELL and his brother at Pete's Bar in 1972–1973, presented a briefcase containing $25,000.  
- **Mrs. HERSHE-OWELL**: Mother of LEON and CLAUDE POWELL; mentioned in family background details.  

Key Locations  
- **Pete's Bar**: Located at Moreland and Confederate Avenues in Atlanta, Georgia; site of meetings between POWELL, GODFREY, and RALPH (1972–1973).  
- **Decatur, Georgia**: Residence of LEON OWEN POWELL.  
- **Midland, Texas**: Where POWELL and his brother were approached by GODFREY in 1967.  
- **Atlanta City Directory**: Used for reference to phone numbers and addresses during investigations.  
- **Jonesboro, Georgia**: Godfrey’s residence.  
- **Cooperhill, Tennessee**: Godfrey’s place of birth.  

Key Events  
- **1967**: POWELL and his brother approached by GODFREY regarding a potential assassination plot against MLK; they declined the $50,000 offer.  
- **1972–1973**: Meeting at Pete's Bar with RALPH, where he presented a briefcase containing $25,000 and hinted at additional funds for the assassination.  
- **1/4/76–1/29/76**: FBI conducted interviews with POWELL and reviewed his military service records, employment history, and personal details.  
- **1/26/76**: POWELL voluntarily submitted to a polygraph examination at the Atlanta FBI Office; results were inconclusive.  
- **1976**: FBI attempted to create an artist’s sketch of RALPH based on descriptions from POWELL.  
- **1975**: POWELL claimed he learned of MLK’s assassination approximately three to four weeks after the event, expressing shock and dismay.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted polygraph examinations, interviews, and investigations into potential involvement in the MLK assassination plot.  
- **Atlanta Police Department**: Provided identification records during FBI inquiries.  
- **Musicians Union Number 148**: Reference to Ray Godfrey’s music industry ties.  
- **City of Atlanta Sewer Department**: Employed Arnold Ray Godfrey prior to his alleged involvement in the assassination plot.  
- **Venable Music Company**: Music industry connection to Arnold Ray Godfrey.

MLK Declassified Files

44-at-2386_hs1-852715321_164-03-part_1_of_4.pdf

Document Summary

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