Summary  
The documents detail interactions between George McMillan, an individual seeking access to FBI files related to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and federal agencies in 1974. McMillan initially contacted the Boston FBI office on April 23, 1974, expressing willingness to be interviewed but later canceled the appointment, citing plans to consult with his attorney, John T. Williams, and travel to Tennessee. The FBI noted McMillan’s lack of review of FBI files and limited knowledge of their contents. In May 1974, McMillan recontacted the Boston office, agreeing to an interview but requesting his attorney’s presence. The Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division referenced McMillan’s claims about access to FBI reports, noting that such files are exempt from disclosure under FOIA. Correspondence between Bernard Fensterwald (attorney for James Earl Ray) and DOJ officials highlighted McMillan’s assertions that authors Gerold Frank and William Bradford Hule had accessed FBI materials. The DOJ emphasized that disclosure of investigative files would violate policy. McMillan also discussed his efforts to verify information about James Earl Ray’s involvement in the assassination, including interactions with Tennessee officials and plans to meet an inmate named Jimmy.  

The document further details interactions between the FBI and George McMillan, an author who claimed to have written about James Earl Ray's involvement in the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. McMillan sought access to FBI files related to the case but was informed by the FBI that no such information had been provided to him or others. The Boston Office of the FBI attempted to interview McMillan in May 1974, with arrangements made for an interview on May 10, 1974, in the presence of his attorney, John T. Williams. McMillan stated he had never accessed any FBI files concerning the James Earl Ray case or other matters. The Memphis Office was also involved, as McMillan referenced Tennessee state authorities' possession of what he described as "FBI files" used in Ray's extradition proceedings. The FBI noted that no records indicated they had shared information with McMillan, Frank, or others.  

Key People  
- George McMillan: Individual seeking access to FBI files on MLK’s assassination; contacted FBI offices multiple times in 1974.  
- John T. Williams: Attorney representing McMillan during interviews.  
- Bernard Fensterwald: Attorney for James Earl Ray, who corresponded with DOJ officials about McMillan’s claims.  
- William O’Connor: Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, responded to Fensterwald’s inquiries.  
- Gerold Frank and William Bradford Hule: Authors alleged to have accessed FBI reports on the case.  
- James Earl Ray: Suspect in MLK’s assassination; referenced in McMillan’s correspondence.  
- Kenneth L. Hansen, John N. Ouellette: FBI agents involved in interview with McMillan.  

Key Locations  
- Boston, Massachusetts: FBI office where McMillan contacted authorities and arranged interviews.  
- Memphis, Tennessee: Mentioned as a location tied to the investigation and McMillan’s travel plans; referenced in context of Tennessee state authorities’ possession of "FBI files."  
- Washington, D.C.: Headquarters of the Department of Justice and FBI.  
- Tennessee: Site of interactions with officials and references to Jimmy (likely an inmate).  

Key Events  
- April 23–30, 1974: McMillan’s attempts to arrange interviews with the FBI, including cancellation of initial appointments and requests for attorney involvement.  
- May 10, 1974: FBI interview with McMillan in Boston, conducted in the presence of his attorney, John T. Williams.  
- March–April 1974: Correspondence between Fensterwald and DOJ officials regarding McMillan’s assertions about Frank and Hule’s access to reports.  
- Ongoing efforts by the FBI and DOJ to verify whether individuals had accessed sensitive investigative materials.  
- Reference to legal proceedings involving Ray in Tennessee and extradition to the British court.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted communications and investigations related to MLK’s assassination; involved in interviews with McMillan and review of file access claims.  
- United States Department of Justice (DOJ): Civil Rights Division reviewed McMillan’s claims and enforced FOIA exemptions.  
- Law Offices of Fensterwald & O’Hihausen: Legal entity involved in correspondence about access to FBI files.  
- Tennessee State Attorney General’s Office: Mentioned in context of possession of "FBI files" related to Ray’s extradition proceedings.  
- Shelby County Attorney General’s Office (Memphis): Referenced in legal proceedings involving Ray’s extradition.

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_28-02-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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