</s>RECID-GIV RIGHTS RECEIVED GENERAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION OF JE.M.JE.N. FBE FEB 14 6 52 AH 1976 FEB 4 4 01 PH 76 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary: The document outlines an FBI investigation into allegations made by Leon Owen Powell and his brother Claude Powell in 1976 regarding their purported involvement in a plot to assassinate Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) in November 1967. The account involves an individual named Ralph (LNU), who allegedly offered them $50,000 to kill MLK. Discrepancies exist between the brothers' accounts: Leon claimed the meeting occurred in November 1967 at a bar in Atlanta, while Claude stated it was in March 1967. The FBI identified Ray Godfrey as Arnold Ray Godfrey, who initially denied involvement but later refused to cooperate with further questioning. The investigation also references a separate case involving Mrs. J.N. Grace, who claimed $60 was taken from her by Bessie Brewer and accused the FBI of disrupting her business during the MLK assassination investigation. Additionally, the text includes administrative memos and teletype communications between FBI offices in Memphis, Atlanta, and El Paso regarding ongoing investigations, including a UPI article referencing a detective removed from guarding MLK before his 1968 assassination.  

Key People:  
- Leon Owen Powell (alleged to have been approached for involvement in MLK's assassination)  
- Claude Powell (brother of Leon Owen Powell, also alleged to have been approached)  
- Arnold Ray Godfrey (identified as Ray Godfrey, initially denied involvement but later refused cooperation)  
- Mrs. J.N. Grace (claimed $60 was taken from her by Bessie Brewer and accused FBI of disrupting business)  
- Frank Holloman (retired FBI agent mentioned in contingency plans for MLK's protection)  
- Diane Brady (bar owner at "The Office Bar" in Atlanta, provided testimony about patrons)  

Key Locations:  
- Atlanta, Georgia (bars including "The Office Bar" and Pete Davis' establishment)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI office involved in the investigation)  
- Decatur, Georgia (previous bar ownership records referenced)  

Key Events:  
- Alleged 1967 meeting between Powell brothers and Ralph (LNU) at a bar in Atlanta regarding assassination plot against MLK  
- FBI investigation into the alleged involvement of Arnold Ray Godfrey and discrepancies in Powell brothers' accounts  
- Mrs. J.N. Grace's claims about financial dispute and accusations against the FBI during the MLK investigation  
- Removal of a detective assigned to guard MLK prior to his 1968 assassination, as reported in UPI article  
- Contingency plans for MLK's protection involving retired FBI agent Frank Holloman  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United States Department of Justice  
- Memphis Police Department (referenced in UPI article about MLK's guard)  
- Atlanta Police Department (involved in bar ownership records and witness testimony)

MLK Declassified Files

44-hq-38861_hs1-233652821_28-06-part_4_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

Try AI Search