</s>PAGE TWO XX 44-G96 RIDGE, GA. MRS. GODFREY ADVISED OTHER BROTHER, LEE CARROLL GODFRAY, HAS IN THE PAST BEEN INVOLVED IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AND HAS HAS USED THE NAME ARNOLD RAY GODFREYS IN THE POST. ACCORDING TO THE GODFREFYS, LLEE CARROILL GODFRY'S WHEREBRIDGE PRESENTLY UNKNOWN, HOWEVER, CARROIL GODFRET'S WHEBRADGE COUNTY JAIL DURING CHRISTMAS, 1974. THEY ALSO ADVISIDED THAT IN NOV. 1975, ANOTHER BROTHER. RAY S. GODFFRY, DIED AND EFFORTS TO LOCATE LEE GODFrey AT THAT TIME NEGATIVE, LEO GODFRIY IN THE BLUE RIDGE. GA. AREA SINCE NOV ., AND RELATIVES BELIEVE HE IS RESIDING IN ELLIJAY, GA ., NEITHER LOIS FORGOROFEACQUAINTED WITH A RALPH CLUND AND STATED THAT BROTHER ARNOLVID HAS NOT RESIDED IN THE COPPER HILL AREA IN 27 YEARS AND HAS NO ASSOCIATES IN THE AREA. THEY ADVISed ARNOUD MARRIED TO MILLIE CAMERON AFTER MOVING TO ATLANTA. REFERENCES FRANK WALDEN, WALTER STYMUS AND CLAUDE CRAWFORD LISTED AS REFERENCIES BY ARNold IN 1949 WERE NEICHBORS OF THE GODFFREY FAMILY IN COPPER HILL PRIOR TO 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14178

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals associated with Arnold Ray Godfrey and the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK). Key figures include LEON OWEN POWELL, who claimed he met RAY GODFREY in late October or early November 1967 at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, Georgia, where Godfrey allegedly offered Powell and his brother CLAUDE POWELL $50,000 to assassinate MLK. A man named "RALPH" (last name unknown) was present during the meeting, carrying a briefcase with cash and discussing the plan. Powell later estimated the sum as $25,000 to $75,000 but stated he never confirmed details of the method or amount. The FBI conducted polygraph examinations on Powell and his brother in January 1976, which yielded inconclusive results. The investigation also explores Godfrey’s criminal history, including ties to Copper Hill, Georgia, and his relocation to Atlanta. References to Pete's Bar include liquor license records from the 1960s, linking it to individuals like PETE DAVIS, who may have been involved in bar operations during the relevant period. Powell waited nine years to report this information after being prompted by a television documentary.  

Additional documents describe an FBI investigation into CLAUDE POWELL, JR., his brother LEON POWELL, and RAY GODFREY regarding an alleged 1975 offer at Pete's Bar in Atlanta, where an unknown white male (described as approximately 5'8", 150 pounds, 30 years old) allegedly offered Powell $25,000 to assassinate MLK. The individual placed a black briefcase with $100 bills on the table and discussed the assassination of "someone important." Powell denied prior knowledge of MLK’s murder until three to four weeks after the event and cited fear of becoming a suspect as a reason for not reporting it earlier. The FBI sought an artist sketch based on Powell’s description but found no matches in available photographs. RAY GODFREY, employed by the Atlanta Sewer Department, denied knowledge of the plot but described the unknown individual as a well-dressed man with a limp, possibly of Latin descent, who frequented Pete's Bar. The investigation included interviews with bar owners and employees at Pete's Bar, including DIANE BRADY (owner of The Office Lounge) and DOTTIE UNDERHILL (waitress at McKinnon’s Restaurant).  

Another summary notes FBI and Atlanta Police Department records involving Leon Powell, Claudio Powell, and Arnold Ray Godfrey, including arrest histories, fingerprint data, and interviews conducted in 1976. Godfrey had a criminal history of armed robbery and murder convictions and was listed as a fugitive after failing to appear for trial in 1974. The Powells mentioned meetings with Godfrey in November 1967 and discussions about an "offer" involving money, though specifics remain unclear. They referenced Pete's Bar (later renamed Bill Bailey's Bar) as the location of the alleged contact. Hubsert Powell (Leon’s brother) and Mrs. Hepsie Powell (their mother) stated their sons had never mentioned involvement in such an act.  

Key People  
- **LEON OWEN POWELL**: White male, 3841 Austin Drive, Decatur, Georgia; claimed to have met RAY GODFREY in 1967 and discussed an assassination plot against MLK.  
- **CLAUDIE POWELL (JR.)**: Powell’s brother, involved in the alleged meeting with Godfrey.  
- **RAY GODFREY**: Alleged intermediary who offered money for MLK’s assassination; associated with the Godfrey family in Copper Hill, Georgia.  
- **RALPH (LNU)**: Last name unknown; described as a white male with a briefcase containing cash, present during the 1967 meeting.  
- **PETE DAVIS**: Owner of Pete's Bar in Atlanta; possibly linked to RALPH through bar interactions.  
- **CLAUDE POWELL, JR.**: Alleged recipient of assassination offer at Pete's Bar on December 31, 1975.  
- **HUBERT POWELL**: Older brother of Leon and Claude Powell; provided details about family members’ activities.  
- **MRS. HEPsie POWELL**: Mother of the Powells; stated sons never discussed involvement in plot.  
- **DIANE BRADY**: Owner of The Office Lounge, provided bar patron details.  
- **DOTTIE UNDERHILL**: Waitress at McKinnon’s Restaurant, confirmed no prior employment at Pete's Bar.  

Key Locations  
- **Pete's Bar**, 1455 Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia (linked to liquor licenses and bar operations; later renamed Bill Bailey's Bar).  
- **Copper Hill, Georgia**: Home to the Godfrey family; Arnold Ray Godfrey relocated to Atlanta.  
- **Decatur, Georgia**: Powell’s residence; location of polygraph examinations.  
- **Scottish Inn Motel**, Interstate Highway 20, Holiday Hill Road (mentioned in context of bar patron details).  
- **Atlanta Sewer Department**, Jonesboro, Georgia (where RAY GODFREY was employed).  
- **The Office Lounge**, Atlanta, Georgia (owned by DIANE BRADY).  
- **McKinnon’s Restaurant**, Moreland Avenue, Atlanta, Georgia.  

Key Events  
- **1967 Meeting**: Powell and his brother allegedly met RAY GODFREY at Pete's Bar, where they were offered $50,000 to assassinate MLK.  
- **Polygraph Examinations**: Conducted in January 1976 on Powell and his brother; inconclusive results due to inconsistent responses.  
- **Documentary Prompt**: Powell cited a television documentary as the reason for coming forward with information nine years after the alleged meeting.  
- **1975 Offer**: CLAUDE POWELL, JR., allegedly received an offer at Pete's Bar on December 31, 1975, to assassinate MLK for $25,000.  
- **FBI Investigation**: Conducted into Powell’s claim and potential involvement in the assassination plot, including interviews with bar staff and witnesses.  
- **Godfrey’s Criminal History**: Arnold Ray Godfrey had convictions for armed robbery and murder; listed as a fugitive after failing to appear for trial in 1974.  
- **Bar Renaming**: Pete's Bar renamed Bill Bailey's Bar after ownership changed.  

Key Organizations  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations, polygraph exams, and interviews related to the MLK assassination inquiry.  
- **Atlanta Police Department (APD)**: Provided records on liquor licenses and bar operations at Pete's Bar.  
- **Musicians Union Number 148**, Atlanta, Georgia: Mentioned in context of RAY GODFREY’s potential connections to the music industry.  
- **Venable Music Company**: Potential business connection mentioned by GODFREY.  
- **Fannin County, Georgia**: Where Arnold Ray Godfrey was arrested in 1974.  
- **Cobb County, Georgia**: Home of Shirley Bullock, a school crossing guard referenced in the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-02-part_3_of_4.pdf

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