</s>FD-302 (REV. 11-27-70) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date of transcription 2/10/76 1 CLAUDE POWELL, JR. Room 211, Scottish Inn. was interviewed in his motel room during the late evening of February 5, 1976. Discepicances in his version of an alleged meeting with an unknown white male at Pete's Bar Atlanta, Georgia, as compared with his LEON POWELL's were discussed with an unnamed white male with a bar and his CLAUDE stated that he was a descendant and his statement as accurate in his RECRECIATION. He clarified his relationship with Ray GODPRY getting that confused with his father, Robert, and his father. but COPDREY was more closely associated with a better friend of LEON'S. CLAUDE also commented that he later friend of Leon's. CLAUDIE also committed that the later knowroximately one week prior to the unknown white males' proposition to murder MARTIN LUTHER KING but he did not know anything about the murder of Pete's bar but until the unusual thing about the meeting at Pete'S but until he was nor did he have prior knowledge of what transpired between GODPRTY and LEON. Other than these changes, CLAUDI stands by his original statement, emphasizing that his statement may differ, both he and LEon witnessed that his statements fact is both he he and Leon witnessed the offer of a substantial amount of money by an unknown male to murder MARTin LUTNER KING. about the addition, CLAUDA, CLAUBE stated he and LION talked about the alleged meeting with the unknown male frequently alleged meeting was with him and the LEON talked talked about it less less less. But he said that he and the LION worked together on the same job but the time passed, they months ago. He knows no one who could verify that they were in Atlanta, Georgia. Georgia, at the time of the alleged meetings were in attendance, he and he came to the same meeting but stated that both, and he was one of the time he was attending Decatur, Georgia during this time, during this meeting 2/6/76 44-1981 Kd.19/91/92/EP 44-920 Decatur. Georgia. During this meeting, during the closing session Midland, Texas SA FRANZ W. NENZEL 2/9/76 by /DR Date dicloted. 2/96/76 This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. <loc_530><loc_897><loc_530><loc_909><loc_111><loc_908>I and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.<loc_111><loc_909><loc_480><loc_910><loc_111><loc_910>2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary: The documents detail an FBI investigation into Arnold Ray Godfrey (also known as Ralph Smith or Ralph Seizer) and his potential involvement in the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. The inquiry focuses on Godfrey's background, including his military service with the Georgia National Guard from 1951 to 1954, employment history at Delta Airlines, and management of a bar called "The Office" in Atlanta. FBI agents interviewed individuals who knew Godfrey, including Diane Brady (bar owner), Raymond Godfrey (a relative), and Claude Powell (a patron). The investigation includes reviewing vehicle records, telephone directories, and composite photographs to verify Godfrey's identity and movements. Leads involving potential associates like Lee Carroll Godfrey and Laverna Cook were pursued but yielded no conclusive evidence. The documents also reference attempts to locate historical records of Godfrey's activities in 1965-1968 and his alleged presence at Pete’s Bar in Atlanta. Additionally, FBI records from 1976 mention interviews with Claude Powell, Jr., regarding a meeting at Pete's Bar where he allegedly met an unknown man offering $2000 to kill MLK, though Powell claimed no prior knowledge of the plot’s execution. Court records from Cincinnati, Ohio, reference James Earl Ray, while Mrs. Grace in Memphis alleged FBI mismanagement of funds tied to Ray’s rent payment, deemed unrelated to MLK’s assassination.  

Key People:  
- **Arnold Ray Godfrey** (also known as Ralph Smith, Ralph Seizer)  
- **Diane Brady** (bar owner/manager of "The Office")  
- **Raymond Godfrey** (relative of Arnold Ray Godfrey)  
- **Claude Powell** (patron of Pete’s Bar; interviewed in Midland, Texas)  
- **Lee Carroll Godfrey** (brother of Arnold Ray Godfrey)  
- **Laverna Cook** (alleged acquaintance of Godfrey)  
- **James Earl Ray** (central figure in the official investigation of MLK’s assassination)  
- **Leon Powell** (brother of Claude Powell; questioned regarding the alleged plot)  
- **Ray Godfrey** (name linked to the investigation, though no direct connection to MLK’s assassination was confirmed)  
- **Mrs. Grace** (alleged victim of FBI mismanagement regarding funds tied to James Earl Ray’s rent payment)  

Key Locations:  
- **Atlanta, Georgia** (including areas like Flat Shoals Road, Moreland Avenue, Marietta; locations of Pete’s Bar and "The Office")  
- **Pete’s Bar (Atlanta, Georgia)**: Site of the alleged meeting where Powell met an unknown man offering money to kill MLK.  
- **Delta Airlines (Atlanta, Georgia)**: Employed Arnold Ray Godfrey.  
- **Georgia National Guard (Atlanta, Georgia)**: Where Godfrey served from 1951 to 1954.  
- **Cincinnati, Ohio**: Site of court records related to James Earl Ray’s legal proceedings.  
- **Memphis, Tennessee**: Location of Mrs. Grace’s allegations involving the FBI.  

Key Events:  
- **FBI investigation into Arnold Ray Godfrey's potential involvement in MLK Jr.’s assassination**  
- **Review of Godfrey’s military service records and employment history at Delta Airlines**  
- **Interviews with individuals who knew Godfrey, including bar patrons, relatives, and witnesses**  
- **Examination of vehicle registration records, telephone directories, and composite photographs to verify Godfrey’s identity and movements**  
- **Attempts to locate historical records of Godfrey’s activities in 1965-1968 and his alleged presence at Pete’s Bar**  
- **Alleged meeting at Pete’s Bar (Atlanta, Georgia)**: Powell and Leon Powell claimed they met an unknown man offering $2000 to assassinate MLK.  
- **Court records related to James Earl Ray**: Filings from Cincinnati, Ohio, referencing his legal case.  
- **Mrs. Grace’s dispute with FBI**: Alleged mismanagement of funds tied to James Earl Ray’s rent payment, leading to accusations against the bureau.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, maintained records, and investigated allegations related to MLK’s assassination.  
- **Georgia National Guard**  
- **Delta Airlines**  
- **Department of Motor Vehicles (Georgia)**  
- **Southern Bell Telephone Company (Atlanta, Georgia)**  
- **United States Department of Justice**: Oversight of FBI operations and legal proceedings involving James Earl Ray.  
- **U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit (Cincinnati, Ohio)**: Provided court records referenced in the investigation.

MLK Declassified Files

44-me-1987_hs1-852611265_88-02-part_4_of_4.pdf

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