</s>6-94 (Nov. 1-2-43) 8-10-19 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT Memorandum TO Assistant Attorney General DATE: August 30, 1968 CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION FROM Director, FBI SUBJECT: ASSASSINATION OF MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Reference is made to our memorandum dated 8/28/68 (your file) There is enclosed one copy of the report of Special Agent at dated A. This covers the preliminary investigation and no further action concerning a full investigation will be taken by this Bureau unless the Department so directs. B. The investigation is continuing and you will be furnished copies of reports as they are received. C. The investigation requested by you has now. been completed. Unless advised to the contrary no further in- quiries will be made by Bureau. D. Pursuant to instructions issued by the Depart- ment, no investigation will to conducted in this matter unless specifically directed by the Department. B. Please advise whether you desire any further in - vestigation. This is submitted for your information and you will be advised of further developments. This is submitting for your Information and no further investigation will become conducted unless specifically re- quested by the department. H. further action will be covered by the receipt of a complaint and no so directs. En- Enclosed are copies of 27 reports of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in this motor. Copies of the Rovat Gondor are also being furnished to the Criminal D R.J. -M.C.M.P.R. 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., focusing on James Earl Ray and related medical records. A memorandum dated August 30, 1968, notes that the FBI’s preliminary investigation was completed unless further directed by the Department of Justice. Subsequent reports reference Dr. Russell Hadley, who performed nasal tip reconstruction surgery on an individual using the alias Eric S. Galt in Los Angeles, California, in March 1968. Payments of $200 and $2000 were noted for the procedure. The documents also include telephone records linked to Sam Lorio in New Orleans, Louisiana, and references to other individuals such as Carl L. Galt and Arthur Haynes. Some entries contain unclear or unrelated content, including mentions of Indiana state highways and coded numerical sequences, which may pertain to separate investigations or administrative notes.  

The documents also detail communications between the FBI and local law enforcement agencies regarding the trial of James Earl Ray, accused of assassinating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. On October 22, 1968, Arthur J. Hanes, Sr., a defense attorney for Ray in Birmingham, Alabama, contacted the FBI to express concerns about exposing Black militant groups during the trial. Hanes requested access to information held by the Bureau but was informed that such data could not be disclosed under Attorney General regulations. The FBI advised Hanes to submit written requests to the Attorney General if he wished to pursue further action. Subsequent communications on October 26, 1968, reiterated these instructions.  

Key People  
- James Earl Ray (linked to the alias Eric S. Galt)  
- Dr. Russell Hadley (performed nasal surgery on Galt)  
- Carl L. Galt (relative of Eric S. Galt)  
- Arthur Haynes (attorney for James Earl Ray)  
- Sam Lorio (individual with telephone records in New Orleans)  
- Arthur J. Hanes, Sr. (defense attorney for James Earl Ray in the MLK assassination trial)  
- SAC (Special Agent in Charge), Memphis and Birmingham (FBI officials involved in the case)  
- Director, FBI (issued directives regarding information sharing with Hanes)  

Key Locations  
- Los Angeles, California  
- Birmingham, Alabama  
- New Orleans, Louisiana  
- Indiana (mentions of state highways and unspecified locations)  
- Memphis, Tennessee (mentioned as a location for FBI operations)  

Key Events  
- FBI investigation into MLK’s assassination, including inquiries into James Earl Ray  
- Medical procedures involving nasal surgery on Eric S. Galt by Dr. Hadley in 1968  
- Telephone records linked to Sam Lorio in New Orleans  
- Administrative notes on case management and document distribution  
- October 22, 1968: Hanes contacted the FBI to request access to information about Black militant groups  
- October 26, 1968: The FBI reiterated its stance on information disclosure and instructed Hanes to submit written requests  
- Trial of James Earl Ray: Central context for the communications, linked to the MLK assassination investigation  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Department of Justice  
- Los Angeles County Medical Association  
- South Central Bell/Telephone Company (New Orleans, Louisiana)

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_86-03-part_3_of_3.pdf

Document Summary

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