</s>4-596 (Flav. 8-9-08) 44- U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Serials 4654-4664-4665 ENTIRE FILE REVIEWED FOR HISTORICAL DECLASSIFICATION / HIC-38981 DECLASSIIFICATION/ FEDERAL BUREAL OF DO NOT INVESTIGATION HISTORIAL VALUE NATIONAL ARCHIVES HEADQUARTERS SEC. 80 ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HERE'S IS UNCLOSED. ATTENTION BEFORE CHANGING CLASSIFICATION OR PROCESSING ANY DOCUMENT OR PROCESSIONING ANY RELEASE TO FROM THIS FILE FOR RELEASE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC, CONTACT FOU/PA SECTION UNIT D, EXT. 5767. Transfer - Call 3421 Use Care in Handling this file MATERIAL MUST NOT BE REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into George Robert Lettisnger (variously spelled Lettinger, Lettsinger, etc.), a man wanted by Seattle, Washington authorities for alleged crimes. On June 12–13, 1968, Lettisnger was arrested in San Diego, California, at the Metropole Hotel (Room 117) after being identified as a fugitive. During his FBI interview on June 13, 1968, he admitted to renouncing U.S. citizenship in 1963 at the Russian Embassy in London, England, following an arrest for a fraudulent check. Lettisnger expressed strong anti-Negro sentiment and claimed prior membership in a white supremacist group based in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. He was questioned about his alleged involvement in the assassinations of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Senator Robert F. Kennedy, and President John F. Kennedy, but denied knowledge of these events. Lettisnger also referenced James Earl Ray, suggesting he might be linked to the assassination of King and others, though no direct evidence was provided. The documents note ongoing FBI efforts to track Ray, who was later identified as the suspect in King’s murder.  

Key People  
- **George Robert Lettisnger** (various spellings): Arrested in San Diego; claimed anti-Negro sentiment, renounced U.S. citizenship, and referenced James Earl Ray.  
- **James Earl Ray**: Suspected of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., mentioned by Lettisnger as a possible associate.  
- **Robert F. Kennedy** and **John F. Kennedy**: Mentioned in the context of alleged assassination plots, though no direct connection to Lettisnger was established.  
- **FBI agents and officials**: Including SACs (Special Agents in Charge) in Los Angeles and Memphis, and Assistant Attorney General Stephen J. Pollak, who oversaw civil rights investigations.  

Key Locations  
- **San Diego, California**: Site of Lettisnger’s arrest at the Metropole Hotel.  
- **Seattle, Washington**: Authorities sought Lettisnger for extradition.  
- **London, England**: Where Lettisnger renounced U.S. citizenship and was arrested for a fraudulent check.  
- **Big Stone Gap, Virginia**: Alleged location of Lettisnger’s white supremacist group.  

Key Events  
- **June 12–13, 1968**: Lettisnger’s arrest in San Diego and subsequent FBI interview.  
- **1963**: Lettisnger renounced U.S. citizenship at the Russian Embassy in London after being arrested for a fraudulent check.  
- **Ongoing FBI investigation**: Focus on James Earl Ray, suspected of assassinating Dr. King, with coordination between federal agencies and state authorities.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, tracked suspects, and coordinated with state officials.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Oversaw civil rights investigations, including those related to the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.  
- **State of Washington**: Pursued extradition of Lettisnger.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_17-07-part_1_of_8.pdf

Document Summary

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