</s>FD-36 (Rev. 5-22-64) FBI Date: 6-3-68 Transmit the following in (Type in plaintext or code) Via AIRTEL (Priority) TO: SAG, MEMPHIS (44-1987) FROM: SAC, LOS ANGELES (44)-1574(P) SUBJECT? MURKIN-COST DATA Ro Memphis airtel to Albany, 4/19/68. The following data has been compiled or estimated by the Los Angeles Division through 5/31/68: (1) Number of regular Agent hours on caso ... 856 (2) Number OF VOT Agent hours ON caso .... 856 (3) Numberof regular Chemical hours on case ... 859 Clinical and photolab ... (1/5 hours) Stenographic ... and photobolab .. (1) hours) (4) Total mileage traveled by Bucars on casco ... 4,171 (5) Unusual (a) Out-of-ordinary costs: (a) Photography (mini, paper, &Developer(s) $7.50 (b) Xeroxing (839 copiacea2, (2) 17.75 (c) Xeroing (639 copiiace2,(6) (d) Noodle nose pilots) Total 2.08 (6). Peak number of Agents working on case (7.75 during month for which this report is being submitted for ... 47 and Los Angeles will continue to compile above data and submit same to Memphis on monthly basis. - Memphis Los Angeles 44-198-11996 AGG/S (4). SEARCHED, INDEXED SERIALIZED, L.A.L.R.D. JUNN F. 1968) F.B. MEMPHISH Approved: Special Agent in Charge Sent M Por 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents include FBI administrative reports detailing cost data for investigations related to Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination. These reports cover man-hours, mileage, and expenses for field offices in Boston, San Francisco, Albany, and Indianapolis during May 1968. A key focus is on Bruce Irwin Covern, arrested in May 1968 for a stolen car, who allegedly received a handwritten letter from an inmate referencing MLK’s assassination, including telephone numbers linked to the Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta and mentions of a rifle used in the killing. The FBI investigated phone numbers associated with Memphis City Council, newspapers, and gun shops. Covern claimed he obtained the letter from an inmate named "TOM" while incarcerated in San Francisco. Other individuals mentioned include Robert Lawrence (linked to City Prison), Thomas Raymond Ellis (arrested with Covern), and James Earl Ray (noted as a suspect). The FBI sought to verify connections between phone numbers and potential conspirators, including checks on the Ebenezer Baptist Church's contact details.  

Key People  
- Bruce Irwin Covern (arrested in May 1968, received a letter referencing MLK’s assassination)  
- Robert Lawrence (name appearing in the letter, linked to City Prison)  
- Thomas Raymond Ellis (arrested with Covern)  
- James Earl Ray (noted as a suspect in separate contexts)  
- Larry Young (confined in San Francisco, mailed a sealed letter to MLK Sr.)  

Key Locations  
- Memphis, Tennessee (FBI field office, phone number investigations)  
- Atlanta, Georgia (Ebenezer Baptist Church, linked telephone numbers)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (phone number checks for gun shop connections)  
- San Francisco, California (Covern’s incarceration and police involvement)  
- Indianapolis, Indiana (cost data reporting)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into phone numbers tied to MLK’s assassination plot  
- Covern’s arrest and alleged receipt of a letter referencing the assassination  
- Verification efforts for telephone numbers linked to Memphis City Council and newspapers  
- FBI cost data compilation for field offices during May 1968  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- San Francisco Police Department  
- Local police departments in Birmingham, Memphis, and Indianapolis

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_71-04-part_2_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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