124-10224-10242 v9.1 AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER: ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: - TITLE: DATE: PAGES: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE: CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : ‘DATE OF LAST REVIEW : OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Informati on FBI 124-10224-10242 HQ 64-23999-9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 Document Information FBI SAC, NO DIRECTOR, FBI 02/08/1968 27 WGG, AKA, ASSOC, REL, BKG, EMP, B/F INT, RCK PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Secret 1B; 4 Redact 04/29/1998 INDEFINITE, APPROVAL OF CIA INC 6 MEMO HY 450953 DocId: 32298962 Page. 1 Date: { { 5/7/2015
a } IS - LATIN AMERICA = (he / (00:NO) i f ReWFOlet to Director dated 5/13/68 and BAlet to aa Director dated 5/13/68. DECLASSIFIED ON bug io) ql \ - TEPPER, BOGGS described the subject as “our mutual friend." \ OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 MAY 1962 ESITION a = Zag FPMR ar CFR) 101-11.8 Bs) NITED STATES - RNMENT “Memorandum TO  |*: DIRECTOR, FBI (64-23999) > SAC, wro[(.34- 202) Jo We9 : WILLTAM GEORGE GauDET [Ps om yt XN OnE DRIAL ues | On 6/10/68, the files of the Office BF = USDS, concerning the subject were reviewed by SA JAMES F. a =) J y sa PRICE. These files contained the following pertinent .- 7 8 Ba information: Classified eel ALE BOGGS, Congress of the United States, wrote to ROBERT J. a TEPPER, Officer in Charge, Caribbean Affairs, USDS, con- iB = cerning the subject. BOGGS advised that he thought a Os} proposal by the subject concerning a "Report on Haiti" had a m Ey great deal of merit and he hoped the department would con- sider the subject's proposal favorably. In writing to OAD By communication dated 3/18/63, Representative WB It was noted that the file contained communications from Department of State to various US Embassies in Latin rica concerning trips throughout Latin America by the 4 sabject. These communications were sent in 1951, 1952, and 2 &u/ 957, and requested that the various embassies extend the ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED 2 sual courtesies to the subject, In thése communications i feiee7the subject was described as the editor of Latin American ey sy Reports. we! “B By communication dated 7/7/47, WALTER J. DONNELLY, Bi REVIEWED BY FBWJFK TAS U. S. Embassy, San Jose, Costa Rica, advised the USDS of the recent visit of WILLIAM G. GAUDET, President of Latin American = Geports, Incorporated, New Orleans, Louisiana, to San Jose. 2@)Zpureas o Wod/ 4 if - of fe 1 Y / fe yi Y 2sNew Orleans ka3a- 976) fuepanione wesmnemmnms mangas EWFO A Wt 17 JUN 28 1968 7 ? 3 ee foto ONE WAL — Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the\Payroll. Savings Plan LA’ sanWhansacaN S a a sel HY 50953 Daoctd: 32299962 Page 2
% U DONNELLY described GAUDET as the former Executive Secretary of the Coordination Committee in Costa Rica. The communi- cation advised that in addition to obtaining information for the Latin American Report and attempting to sell the service to the Government and Costa Rican businessmen, GAUDET was also interested in obtaining information about iron ore deposits in Costa Rica. The communication indicated that GAUDET was obtaining this information on behalf of the Bethlehem Steel Corporation. In the communication, GAUDET was described as having a wide circle of friends among Costa Rican businessmen. By communication dated 6/6/45, HALLETT JOHNSON, U.S. Embassy, San Jose, Costa Rica, advised the USDS of the efficient work done by WILLIAM G. GAUDET as Executive Secretary for the Coordination Committee for Costa Rica and Press Field Representative for Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. . The communication commented that GAUDET had been efficiently carrying out the press, radio and moving picture programs. a By communication dated 5/18/46, GEORGE F. SCHERER, oy, S. Embassy, Ciudad Trujillo, Dominican Republic, advised the USDS of the recent visit of WILLIAM GEORGE GAUDET, ’ '\ correspondent of World Report. World Report was described Ah if13/89 HY /as a new publication of international information sponsored ; by the United States News of Washington. The communication |; described GAUDET as formerly having been employed with the Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs. It noted that GAUDET attempted without success, to interview President TRUJILLO. The communication noted that World Report will not adopt a sympathetic attitude toward the dictator TRUJILLO as long as GAUDET represents its interest in the Caribbean. It.was noted that this communication | was classified "Gonfidential.' "BT ( The file contained no additional pertinent | information. - CONF 50953 Daoctd:32299962 Page 3
” , h Wo [134-8002 (w WASHINGTON FIELD OFFICE CONFIDENT AL AT WASHINGTON, D. C. Will report] gértinéntyi nformation from NIS files when available for review. HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296962 Page 4
SAC, New Orleans 34-975] OD » 6/28/68 } yh BRN erie (64~23999) —f/3 1 - Mr, Howe nite | ALL ty rons gr WILLIAM GEORGE SIDNEY GAUDET irs fbctoy Cowra rma iS » LATIN AMERICA EXCEPT Rede TED , onamnnrg “i NORM oa feafin f Classified bY, AS Me ce BD Reurlet ef 6/14/68, Declassly o ony onoR discloses that on 11/6/67 confidential informant NO 1488-5 reported that well-placed personnel with the United Fruit nah [eeporte New Orleans, Louisiana, regard the subject as an . NA opportunist who probably cannot be trusted, It was stated WIR that while subject has written articles favorable to the NEV United Fruit Company, on the other hand he has threatened _f A review of the investigation in this matter 1 ONS personnel of that concern with adverse publicity unless ; the concern furnished him certain information he desired, ! it was the consensus of opinion within the United Fruit | Company the subject cannot be trusted and he will use any fs set of circumstances to gain information for his publication.(\ A Bureau SIS representative in the American Embassy, San Salvador, EI Salvador, on 5/1/43 reported to the Bureau that Gaudet and one Richard Briges, who were then with the Office of Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs in San Jose, wg Costa Rica, had acted in an indiscreet manner in discussing » in public places business matters which conversations were - overheard, Furthermore, they disclosed to persons regarded i aS almost strangers that a Bureau Agent was connectéd in an HH undercover capacity with the American Embassy in Costa Rica. i It is further noted that subject has been involved a‘ _f) in two divorce proceedings; was sued on sevéral eccasions for [~~ back alimony payments; was regarded in the past a8 a poor | credit risk; and in the late 1950's was a mear alcoholic, O Accordingly, your request to designate Gaudet as | a PSI is denied; however, you may use him as a source pf Vis inforaation. In this regard, however, you ee aa C.LOFy Tolson Del.oach a L aby | : Caltehan __ Se aes ae 4 ' Conrad 2... Gale , SEE NOTE PAGE Two Of i “Bose sen is om f « , Trotter a _ f Tele. Room * Holmes HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296962 Page 5
vos) CONFIDE ATIAL «= - SECRET Pa., aS a free-lance journalist and then later returned to New Orleans where he was connected with the International News Service, In 1937 GAUDET was stationed with Interna- tional News Service in Atlanta, Ga., and remained with International News Service until 1942 when he was appointed | correspondent in the Inner-American Affairs Department with the United States Government, New Orleans files do not con- tain any information as to the significance, if any, of GAUDET's contact with BERNARD S, REDMONT, WFO airtel to Burea 12/2/55, reported that Cts 2) boas sadviced on 11/30/55 at an opposition newspaper the Sfaavis Costa Rican Government published an editorial quoting from a "Latin--American Report" prepared by WILLIAM GAUDET, The "Report" stated tha (Rags rgivtton would occur in Costa Rica within 60 days. ir i ‘stated that caupEn(¢) lives and works out of New Orv¥eans ee hat while the sour did not know where GAUDET obtained his information, that_in, ,” } Bureau letter to New Orleans, 11/7/67, disclose#/ that the Bureau's representative attached to the American Embassy at San Salvador, El Salvador, had been advised in 1943 by a source that subject, during a visit to San Salvador, had earned himself the reputation of being out- spoken : and indiscreet in matters of a confidential nature. NO (1488- S advised on 11/6/67, that he had made inquiries with well placed individuals within the United Fruit Co, in New Orleans and these individuals advised that WILLIAM GAUDET , pu ublisher of "Latin America n Report," has been deséribéd GA GAUDET as an opportunist who probably could not be _ trusted. While GAUDET has written articles favorable to the United Fruit Co. concerning its operations in Latin _ America, he has on the other hand threatened United Fruit personnel with adverse publicity if if United Fruit did not furnish GAUDET with certain information he. desired, 20) () : It is the consensus of opinion within the United , Fruit Co. that GAUDET should probably not be trusted since | - dt is felt that he would use any set of circumstances to his own end (Wu) of gaining information for his CONFIDENTIAL | sry May Wd HY 50953 DBoctd: 32296962 Page 6 a reporter in the tropics for r_over_20_ years, These individuals. NM.
ob “276 ] fy)(2 Source GAUDET and knows inquiries as set fi His a | advised _ is acdual i him only By reputation following his forth above. ; Source stated that there has apparently never ‘risen a question of GAUDET's lack of patriotism to the United States and that the only question concerning him is his lack of business ethics. . bral Bureau letter. to New Orleans, 12/8/67, advised - j,j)that the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) on 12/1/67, , reported that GAUDET;was utilized as a source of foreign “positive intelligence information during 1953, Further, -GAUDET has not been used as a source by CIA since 1953; has_never been utilized in an operational capacity by CIA andiCIA does not possess any derogatory information con-= ie cerning GAUDET. Gx). 0%) ee _ PSI RICHARDO J, ROBLES, who furnishes information concerning Latin America, on 3/7/68, was unable to furnish. any pertinent information concerning GAUDET, Likewise | ‘during February and March, 1968, the following PSI‘s could furnish no information concerning GAUDET spd) (uu [LOTHAR BECKER I) } - CARLOS DE LA VEGA ea JULIO BONETTI - Former NO 886-R NO'1213-S advised on 2/23/68, that GAUDET was an alcoholic, or close to being an alcoholic, in the late 1950's. _ GAUDET drank very heavily and had financial problems during this period, 1 He once wrote an article for Dictator TRUJILLO, This article was then head’ of the Santo Domingo Government, very pro-TRUJILLO and was believed to haye. been dictated by. TRUJILLO or one of his right-hand men, ( (U) Source described GAUDET as easygoing and a competent writer, He is still bel h the "Latin AmericanReport ; * however, he may do some free~ po, ‘lance writing under a pen name, ~3 = fr Fr gy Pe Fey Re CDET | , wt FAR. B | 7 . | : Ubi AL A — oo ce HW S095 Docld: 32299962 Page 7
HY \ Se Ce NO Goe-o76 Yee haere Fey RO CF iW iA L- This motion alleged that defendant GAUDET was delinquent in his alimony payments in the amount of $150. - Defendant was ordered to show cause on 12/19/58, why he should not be | in contenpt. No disposition to this motion is contained in the file, 7 ae The file contains a second motion entered by Attorney PITARD on behalf of OLIVE FLEURIET under date of 4/20/60, requesting that GAUDET show cause why he is not in contempt for being behind in alimony payments in an amount believed to be_$57%75. A notation in the file notes that this second motion was. "dismissed by agreement." The file contains a dismissal decree under date of 4/30/60, by Judge LUTHER HALL with judgment in favor of OLIVE FLEURIET in the amount of $400 for past due alimony through 4/30/60, No further entries noted in this file, As noted above, the current New Orleans city. _ directory lists CORAL K. GAUDET as the wife of WILLIAM EORGE G Ths es No information has been received to indicate tha dest} Ss ex eriendng current marital difficulties, It is re) @ noted that during contacts with GAUDET at his office, the contacting agent has been present when GAUDET was tele— phonically contacted by his wife. GAUDET at these times gave no indication he was other than happily married. GAUDET since originally contacted has furnished ‘some information concerning activities of interest in Latin-American countries to the Bureau, This information has been furnished to the Bureau in appropriate dissemination. form, Since this PSI has been contacted, it is noted that he has periodically traveled to Latin America and it is felt that as he continues to be developed that he will be able to furnish information of interest concerning» Latin American countries, ( GAUDET made a business trip to British Honduras “ , (Belize) during the Christmas Holidays, 1967, and upon his / return furnished to this office information concerning indications that a leader of the National Intelligence | 50957 Party of Belize was working with the Cuban Government to the end that. friction might result between Belize and Guatemala, In addition, GAUDET interviewed the British Governor in Belize, a personal friend, in connection with BDocld: 322798962 Page 68 -ORET ah a R))
rfeeere Lae) OSAITIAL SECRET Governor that he had els iL ON t a courier route existed from Cuba into Mexico and into Belize, This information was furnished to the ella ane date of 1/5/68: 4, 8, On 3/15/ cave fa¥idshed intothnkt bakedtice JORGE RABAH MUNIR, a naturalized Honduran citizen, who had entered the United States in the alleged possession of over one-half million dollars reportedly obtained by embezzlement in Honduras. Source obtained his information concerning | \ this matter from the Consul.General. for Honduras in New \, Orleans, This information waS flrnished to thé Bureau by LHM dated 3/18/68. uv) GAUDET's business office is located in the Inter- national Trade Mart Building where numerous consuligenerals from Latin American countries also maintain their offices, GAUDET possesse close personal friendship with many of these consuls, fe is anticipated that as time passes he will be able to furnish pertinent information through these contacts as well as information obtained as the sult of his frequent travels to Latin American countries. | KN) It is to be noted for example that GAUDET since the latter part of May has been visiting Venezuela and as of this time is still somewhere in Latin America, It is recommended that GAUDET be designated as a PSI of this office. (2 - HY 50957 BDocld: 322798962 Page 9
' OPTIONAL FORM NO, 10 Gea, pPen Co GPR) 101-18.6 a a _ | UNITED STATES Go__ ERNMENT = C, te oe ) Memorandum TO : DIRECTOR, FBI (64~-23999) (4 : FROM "bso, BALTIMORE [(134- af 2 B supjecT: WILLIAM GEORGE ~ GAUDET: : fy Is - LATIN AMERICA 00: New Orleans . os -S9 Pa, Rebu routing slip, 4/9/68, enclosing for Baltimore and WFO New Orleans letter to Bureau, 3/29/68 DCII, Fort Holabird, Maryland, checked 5/1/68 for SA JAMES E. BARRETT , reflects YBAIRR file #X8-298268 and NIS file # S/NONI-56-RO6UBS re Project. The USAIRR file, wort Holabird, Maryland, was made available ~ and reviewed on B/9/68 by SA BARRETT. This file contains Ped 2715 /h9 showing that on 2/11/42 WILLIAM ( NGAUDET?.5, born 9/21/09 in St. James, Louisiana, ip was cleared™ By~the~Lntel ligence Division of the Army for an mo overseas assignment in connection with his employment as a Wire Service Man for the International News Service in New Orleans. The memo also shows that a Lt. Col. EDGERTON, who knew GAUDET”: slightly during the Louisiana Maneuvers, thought highly of him as a newspaperman. The file contains no other pertinent information. Jaw —WE0.review above- listed NIS files for pertinent information — re subject. wo" paormagto fon CONTAINED 9A d Fame REIN 15 UNCL LASSIFIED naa WapRE SHOWN jDe@- Bureau (REGIS NAIL) OR" 7 2 - WFO (REGIS.MAIL 1 - New Orleans {(13 -976 M T9907 (REGIS veans [0 MY Ch-gg 1 - Baltimore Oe . “48 MAY 14 1968 | JEB:dfl = AGENCIES _. ; (6) appRepe Lat 2 ks, ann FE ALL INFORIN CONTAINED pe “CAN A ih Ci Baty oy ADVISED PX Nol Tg HERE IS UNCLASS SHED ie betel “ve a BENS e H pe se Ly - | Ron man mn . ". a, a I 4 : - rg fre V3 iS tw nN 4 y ; | ™ a= Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly on the Payroll Savings Plan | | WW 50953 Docld: 32298962 Page 10
HY 5010-108 : y SAC, WFO/ (134-8002) PhitannGB A OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 - UNITED STATES ob jeNMent ) Memorandum DIRECTOR, FBI OO DATE: 5/13/68 IS =~ LATIN AMERICA (00:NO) LLIAM GEORGE GAUDET -(es1,) @o) | QY ReNOlet to Director dated 3/29/68. On 5/6/68, SA WILLIAM E, TRAINOR, JR., caused a search to be made of the files of the Bureau of Personnel Investigations, CSC, and was advised that their files contained no record concerning the subject. « ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED LEAD; as HERE IS INGLES ISIN ED Ch WASHINGTON FIELD | en Dae ft & al SFL) AT WASHINGTON, D. C. Will report results of JF) standing agency checks at U. S. Department of State. SS aPPRUPOLATE A AND FEED ONE ADVISEL ara rest Ss ; ~ SLIP(S) QF_/ DATE \ 3 ba | C 25= Bureau 2~ New seal (134-976) MC 1 = WFO JFP:vah ee i i { t i EX 10 S MAY 14 1969 é Buy U.S. Savings Bonds Regularly’on the Payroll Savings Plan 50957 Docld: 322798962 Page it
4 | NO lisa 976 \(X ) LUI WL oak Dun and Bradstreet Rport A Dun and Bradstreet report in the name of ["tin American Reports, Inc., under date of 4/25/67, ists the following individuals as officers of this corporation: Treasurer . being reduced to some extent. This report describes GAUDET as having been born in 1909, in St. James Parish, La., and, for a number of years prior to 1941, having represented ‘the UP and the International News Service in Mexico and Latin America. GAUDET is described as having been employed by the Foreigh Service Department of Latin America, US Govern- ment during World War II. Contacts with Informants The following informants have advised that they possess no information or at least no pertinent information concerning GAUDET: Former NO 886 -S . “) SI RICHARDO J. ROBLES est (LOTHAR BECKERT @ SI CARLOS DE LA VE (X) PSI JULIO BONETTI. 4 > ss a a a cow DEN W. G, GAUDET _ President [Ab CA EMERY, III Vice President. oa The report discloses that the corporation was chartered in 1946, and that, during 1965, past due debt accumulated, some of which remains outstanding but is HY 50953 DBocld: 32296962 Page i2
wroetenrnnn ° jor SA. 335A FPMR (41. CFR) 101-11.8 ~ UNITED STATES ea [ERNMENT ~ M emorandum TO : DIRECTOR, FBI (64-~23999) . <S : SAC, NEW ORLEANS s[ameare Ces | Saher: om GEORGE O ont i Lest ~- LAT Cu AMERICA _ ClassifietNny (00: NEW ORLEANS) Declasaifh Re New’ Orleans letter dated 1178/67 and’ Bureau letter dated 12/8/67. Investigation to date concerning background of PSI is faverable with the following exceptions: Q) (2 1. Bureau letter of 11/7/67. disclosed that’ the Bureau! s representative in San Salvad il Salvador, had : been advised in 1943f/by a source that PSf}in a visit to. C2 “San Salvador had earfied himself the reputation of being very outspoken and indiscreet in matters of a | confidential nature. 2. NO. 1488— Ss. has advised that discreet inquiries conducted by him with selected key personnel in the United Fruit Company Where NO 1488-S is employed, received an analysis of the PSI as an opportunist ‘y ‘who could not be trusted and that while the PSI had Written fav favorable articles regarding United Fruit operations in Latin America he had also on o¢casion threatened United Fruit.RPersonnel with — adverse publicity. if.United Fruit. did not furnish PSI with desired information. ' NO 1488-S is not personally acquainted with GAUDET. PSI has been known to United Fruit personnel for over 20 years as a reporter in the tropics. (U ‘ 3. The PST ‘during an interview in Dedember, 1967, confidentially. exposed WE si association with CIA to ay | the interviewing Agent. W)C 110 REC- 69 isi _ 2 BIDS _— It is evident from contacts with GAUDET that to date he is an outspoken individual who does not hesitate to speak his mind. ait has not, however, given any indication that he is unpatrioTfic and without solicitation he has spoken highly of Bureay operations with which he claims to be familiar as a result of. bd syt rmer association with the U.S. Government. He has a?so otreportedly stated t athe | would be willing to help the FBI if he can. Ball se uy Ce be eee MA’ . - Bureau i a of } - New Orleans /0°/ é ry Le eBt 51968 SOTO -108 pet AAO LHe (8 © th weirncai h LI Cs Beg BY eet we ae oF 7 “| De ah -@ FEB 12: "9 deeded woe HY 50953 Bocld: 32296962 Page i135