i OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 My fete Twat 1962 EOITIO’ | ~ GSANIEN, MEG, NO. 2F ! 4. - UNITED STATES GO, $010-106 43 . ‘e Tolson ae) DeLoach )NMENT- i &e Heke Casper mop o ' , Callahan Me MOTTA nd LOALL INFORMATIONCONTAINED. . Pee ee HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED’ i Gig DATE pei zal BY. B oe Ryn TO : My, Sullivan = 12/10/65 Zoe . Sf ~ Mr. Gale . Trotter l= Mr, Belmont 1 we | ° , i cael Mr; Mohr 1 ue Mr. Ware Tele. Room | FROM : FF, J. Baungardnex/y «Mr, DeLoach l= Mr. Sullivan = fin jl = Mr. Rosen L~ Mr. Bland = = yi : . “ . ove ree “sumject: MARTIN LUTHER KING, GR, toe Bameeraner 7. LY ; SECURITY MATTER.~ COMMUNIST ‘ 1 - Mr, Bates wu ; a Se iy afr & fouee & / i) - You were previously advised thatswe Alaa received Ae second-hand information that a Miss Adele melace, Washington, — ; Rt ~~ D,Ces~had stated that according To her brother, a banker in — eA Nassau, Bahamas, Martin Luther King, Jr., has a numbered account pies with a balance.of over one million dollars where this. banker is; | fe as} employed. It was recommended, and the Director approved, that i pu. we initiate a discreet investigation to attempt to corroborate | ‘ ere _ “ms allegation o couse MCE | 335 a 3 Cur” investigation determined tye banker in question is | (Pie fohn Harmon ‘Alter, ,»brother-in-law of MisS toveiace. Alter serv :d (7834 ais“Exéecutive Vice President. Capital Citic gnnttt Cone, NASS 2 Sa" om 1963 to.1965, He is presently employed by the Smail Business | See inistration, New Orleans, Louisiana. wey (ass Meningie neon, Co - org § Alter, on 12/6/65, advised our New Origans Office that | SSg {he has no information that King presently has, 9 at any time in Beat V the past, has had a numbered account in any Nassau bank. Alter . , we declared that during his period of employment by the Capit alo A ~~Cities,Bankgebtd,, there were no numbered accounts at that bank. / i Altetestated he had heard some comment in 1964,or early 1965 o Sie the occasion of one of King's visits to the Bahamas that King 6" ( ‘ probably was putting money in a numbered account in a Nassau bank. ‘ Alter said he places no credence in that comment and recalls that ; was merely a wild conclusion that had been previously drawn : by someone whose identity he does not now recall. He considered Tts use is limit ntent may nut, be disclo ponse to your request and i. @ express approval of the FBI i] i) i fs the comment regarding King as being without substantiation and ; S3 typical of the many such remarks that oremay hear in N assay cv" i 3 S 8 concerning any weli-known person who may visit the Bahamas, mn ee In view of the possible interest—of the Général (cma RS § Investigative an Special Investigative Divisions in numbered --.. 4! BAe bank accounts in Nagsale the following information furnished .——— | SS RaSe by Alter=is being set forth, Alier.advised that FrankjShull, Jr., : eee | Vice Pres ident, Capital. Cities, Bank wLtdp Nassau, Iss persone i SS§3  whor would be knowledgeable concerning the identities of people = s0'§ who have numbered bank accounts in Nassau. ,Shull also would be Seay in a position to acquire information from other sources concerning SSS ee 00106670 REC- 61 / O {> f Ld, eG és yp : . ot gy VEC 16 1965 hy | CONTINUED —~ OVER . iF 55091 Docld: 32969547 Page 16 coum - — : y me ——— a - og YY “oy | & ()|RFB: deh 4200 1
- ; : : s 7 rr - a § ) ee NF Oo a \ . ‘ Memorandum to Mr. Sullivan Res-- MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 100~106670 - . ener COMM ss the identities of persons having numbered accounts, Alten described Shullas being a loyal United States citizen, approximately 55 years old who had been previously employed by the United States Department of State in connection with the Worl Sank and had been stationed in Brazil some years . 2g0. AES cmphasined that Sh is a very tactful man who a can maintain a confidence and who would be very discreet shouid he be contacted concerning any matter, ; ACTION: wi. Cdewn mo panerer a ell In wiew of the fact that Alkée is the original source of Miss yvelace’s information regarding an alleged umbered bank account belonging to King, and inasmuch as Ckitter has advised that he has no information concerning any such™account, no further investigation is being conducted to locate a numbered account: in Nassau allegedly belonging to ee. Comer So i ale og VM & rece M7) 1 D Whe a F i & i: 8 i Fi £ B ky i i ¥ i i & i ki E E E
it 55091 FD-36 (R.£%85-22-64) , , > ra? e ~~” ae ft iL . , . rn 4 | i | : fo 7 ¢ ‘ - Date: 12/7/65 . | Pees eration ghrremsnermerlen er iart ncmwpvermrntpresnre: twee mere oH Transmit the following in —_ _ _ (Type in plaintext or code) Via AIRTEL TO: et : QW Uy FROM: SUBJECT: bie at ats pv saieiele alah eairvers fll SM :- c ae — Re Bureau airtel, 12/3/65. a) - Gang sovee. 1. 5 -On_ 12/6/65, JOHN JOHN HARMONCALTER, presently employed ~ as Manager, Small _Business Administ estion , United States Naval Reserve Training Center, Lake Shore. Drive, New-G¥ieans, was contacted by SA'S MAURICE A. KELLIHER and WARREN C. DE BRUEYS in accordance with instructions contained in re Bureau airtel. ie . ge dE i ALEEE © CELE = BAC SOM nA the outset of! this interview with LTER, he "was informed of the identity of the interviewing “sents and advised that the matter about which the interviewing Agents desired to make inquiry of him was of a very highly confidential naturee Accordingly, ALTER was informed that ‘any information or assistance he could furnish would be held in strict confidence by the Bureau and his identity rn, - would be protected. Likewise, he was asked to hold in i. strict confidence the context of this interview. He a! readily agreed to the foregoing and indicated he was 2 desirous of cocperating to the fullest extent in assisting c_ the Bureau in any way he could. If was then made known Cone eto. ALTER that he was being contacted as a result of his ie past extensive experience in banking circles and, more cane: particularly, in view of his recent affiliation | with a + Néeassau_bank. yy Counties 7 dloece F gsene REC. 13 Var Me Be SF, C 5-2 niin gen areee roe ceninemncins geemenencemay mtmysorn SELVES RIE TNT Oe a SEES EINE Te pf er a4 Foptegges Fite’ /, Stbrinaretas - Bureau (Rif) \ iy al “ “EC 9 165 New Orleans’ yak ‘ : 09 WCD/cal Bae saruds 14 Ste og, 7 2, ®, This’ doth lolli prepared in response to your nequest and not. for dissent Ee ile your Conn ite ; . Ry 2 Fe ott "Conumittce and the content may not 62 disclosed eee Origed perso Approtéite D B n without the express approval of the FBI. aa Sent M er ———~ Special ‘Kael in Charge . . on ENE He sniadiaacenempeneeminetiiadlamneennminanieainiieeteie teem era PUr 8 torrie moerte were yaa need
> ° does not now recall, ALPER.considered the aforementioned HW 55091 - NO 10016800 -accounts.e He was also advised that the Bureau has informa= ' the Bureau's interest, rather, pertains to communist attempts’ to influence the civil rights movement a. ~ Steed that he has no information that MARTIN LUTHER KING, d¥e, presentiy has, or, at any time in the past, has had .- were no numbered accounts at that bank. Accordingly, he | had a numbered account at the Capital Cities Bank, Utde » - in BSS Se, at the time ALTER was employed with that bank. dan tng the early part of 1965 or in 1964 on the occasion _ Of one of the several visits of MARTIN LUTHER KING, JLo» , to the Bahamas that KING probably was putting money ina _ ‘however, that he had placed no credencé in that comment ‘as he recalis that it was merely a wiid conclusion that ‘many such remarks that one may hear in Nassau, concerning ‘. any well-known person who may visit ne BBDAMAS ETON time “to Gime e ae . ’ numbered accouit, Tb would logically be placed with one ‘of the legitimate banking institutions in Nassau rather -.« Among the reputable banking institutions where it would ‘ ” fe geben fe. re oN ee CoE, . otek 36 Gor -It was pointed out ‘to Mr. ALTER, that there had been previous publicity that some Nassau banks have numbered tion that one of the holders of such numbered accounts in Nassau may be MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. it was pointed out to Mx Le ,bLtER. that the Bureau is not investigating the legiti- mate activities of KING in the civil rights field but that — In vesponse to inquiry, ALTER. specifically a numbered account in any Nassau bank. fit... ALTER advised that he had-previously been the Executiv & Vice , ents. Capital 1_Cites Banka litdepactitmNasSailcBahinasy and can positively state that while he heid that position, there stated it would not have been possible for KING to have "ALTER did mention that he had heard some comment numbered account in a Nassau bank. ALTER, explained, had been previously drawn by someone whose identity he \ L3 comment as being without substantiation and typical of the “16 was wirants opinion ‘thet “if KING did pave a than in one of the less reputable banking institutions where it would be risky to place large amounts of money. be logical to > Place a numbered account, ALTER enumerated the following aE Doclda: 32989547 Page ?1
2° .Bank of Nova Scotia, Yo i ho Orr '' Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, a Fa deeey 7. «Bank of London and Montreal, and ae ee .The Royal, Bank of Canada oe Soe 7 “In ‘view of ‘the statement on the Bureau in re '. ae Bureau airtel that the Bureau has been unable to penetrate ‘.‘*: numbered accounts in Nassau, QLIER_was queried concerning “the identity of any person who Would be knowledgeable ; concerning numbered accounts; and the identities of the “holders of such accountse ALTER. .indicated that there would ‘| > be people who would have information in Nassau concerning ‘the identity of such persons, and he recommended that’ cs. ‘BRANK SHULL, Jxve, Vice President,,...cCapital Cities Bank, itd... ~ gn Nassau as a person who would be knowledgeable concerning - ‘She identities of various people who have numbered accounts -" . dn Nassau and, further, as a person who would be in a posi- _ tion to “acquire information from other sources concerning : ; the identities of persons having numbered accounts .« inf ; : B, (ORES Le fp ie ‘7 Mare ALTER. ‘xemarked that FRANK SHULL, ois a a - tLoyal ‘United States citizen of approximately 55 or 56 years ' of age who was previously employed by the U. S. Department .of State in connection with the World.Bank and had been ., Stationed in Brazil some years ago. Miter dALEER, emphasized « -the point that” SHULInis a very tactful man who’ can maintain “a confidence and who would be very discreet, should the .' Bureau desire to make inquiry of him concerning this matter, .' and, he added, any other matters in which the Bureau may ~ have an interest. . (Sf. fe 43 4178 [SEP ELS Mr, ALTER suggested “that if the Bureau aid—~-... _ decide to Wake inguiry of Mr. SHULL, concerning this or any other pertinent matter, that the Bureau may desire -¢o advise Mr. SHULL that he was being contacted on the recommendation of Mr... ALTER. Mrs. ALTER.is cognizant of! ‘the sensitive nature of such an ‘Gnquiry as well as its ' - international implications, but persisted in his comment . that he felt that SHULL would be a good source for the . Bureau should the Bureau have a need to obtain informa~ tion in any specific instance regarding numbered accounts in neal “ HW 55091 Docld: 32989547 Page 22
PERERA Des RC I CA Sg DN DRA A AARC ’ "NO 100-16800 0. : me si EER. advised that he is ‘presently residing. oo, at 5700 Sts ‘Anthony | Street, Apartment A907, New Orleans peLenhone | number 28824182) 3° however’, “HE “expeéts t6 ‘be ae [ eaving New" ‘OrTeans’ ‘Some time in January, 1966, but . I + Suggested he could always be located through his Sister, — # ; . Mrs FRANK. Booe-FISCHER,,: 5343. 32nd. NeWe-y, Washington, | De Co. 3 "MES AETER’ was, thanked for his cooperation in €His watter. ‘ i a - } Be mace A i RO . * , _ se “ me 7 ” : ‘ H eee rv ayes HW 55091 Docld:32989547 Page 273 ° < a _
2 a on _ Se TY ° a , ‘Le ie g Betront 2 = liv. sanniven (0 " BA/B/GB. - I | | Ee. Dnieneh, l= Ur. Dede Dronnaa ei ° |awlize Rosen 2x, Boungardaer- oS nirtek Leite, Gel Lo» le. Bh pLLAipS eth t No ; -' +. Dw be, Vare ° - oe ‘| , ? os . . - . "ys 7 . _ ' 7 yo: : oe, ae ce ernie : TT fo: SAG, Hor Oeloana (200—8)0808) 0 |. vittas f ait ea . . . ' “ph ‘ 9 Fay 08 ALL INFORMATION ‘ eon: DBivoctor, FEE ¢ meee HEREIN(S oem eed: . ine _ DATEL j  EAQIYH Lay ER, Si 3a. Rt ew i i ae Bee your inzarsnti Oe the. | Berni: Le TRO as areas: ated with a@ DOUS da | are: a - Bacon hend infermetion received by tke SREPeaM Rit to the wKtoss | ‘that thia banker kad telid bees is singa that Nactan 22% Lay ERE ITs i “Rae a. duuberkd adeownt WEED Aa Snéa ox: ONG CFO - mideaca CBSE Chere this buibor its expleyed Zou R2e, GE GHIlas, ayEye Cae 2a sve | ok . ecid= a re v. me OA eomeory ings EGS sed rs clive} LaSe aw URES - oss alogoly BRokd 2m woRkace a _ ~ i tre be: ere anvolead d has : boon dae oubh: tod a3 re pROgS eee, Y enokeged oy “tho FS - fic see) 3 2a ra ne? 3h eh ba Pee ay dike ta" he Ke tote teg : cra Foe snip fo meet ot a “Se sped 4 sou B/S, a S, His © PROV ESGS > - Sead aD pate Ne rg Ta Cte ey | Cts re 2 cst ma rye Yan et . open atte: Tomy ay SE hare i i Pee s H ‘i . oi TG WAS WE ee W mie Paarl, Fo 3 eS a anes iat King & creas ie Pou Sane ty ’ Drier < ony ca ~ ot Tt Se ar aTaSES; : a wae nde ut Seed asitee he pave Reet ce RTE: occaual eda eoknna fh ard , Rc scriryr erccr . so- 0667 967 sane rr oe N Oat sr test ty ‘Fontan Popes vaael!” ; ~f , ue . en 4 ae bined nee A4e4 aia 4nTormst AOzs | nea rabter < DEC- 6 “yes = wee oe a ee | ee ened cee eee nea Anes Y nosousta in Nossay Backes has gvecobved piolieity gn the notte eee e Be of beta "as be GEER pie, (cerin 1g’ the 4 wali ae glesisoxs. tessa WEPe PCLSIIpSS omen deh. Talon — ‘S D ° 2 Bh gere . Mohr _——_____._- . 8 24> a : E Cesper —___ . : “ . ' a . : Colichan ————- ° Age ~ oO Ba, moxyandius kk : Cenrad —___._+ EE ioe cre : . estiiy Sri bie VfC5 9 SOS : ur: Felt __ 9 . ont 1a ‘to SIRE EVE - ont : Gaie : Seo paunz ardxer F = form ——-—— gation, progayed by SIP:dolte SuHiven —_—— . ” . Thott This document is prepared in Trottez : : tick nation outside your Commit lis use uted to off proceedings b ’ Tele, Roan ———) ‘your Committee and the co . 4 § GHEC 6 4905 neh. {uithautctbsc exelesd opptoval apenas” . mbhoregynpers 1 a 35091 Doclda:32969547 Page 24
ae Ha Eas ee Ra RES eM eke a ta da Rn Het edad ABNEY Ne as te Ty. oO LT Ensen GEO Te rrepetcor arse? RS to crt ae? 7 SMD aay yeaa a nel Meee suis eLesiie BD UND SCE PRT NS AEM VANCE Fy SCC ia OES OI EO ERSTE nk, I IG Ata cal SS ET) serene: a - & 1 ' . os \: ae gro P o! @ {@ i ~ oN 7 \.: Aivtel to New Orvieans : 36 tei MARTIN LUTHER KING, in. . Comte eT ~tOG Watt a ; 90 xT CE66T6 | | fi etoly Ce ce of Florida, had extensive holdings in 2 numbered accound & Sllegations that William Haydon Burns, candidate for runt fin 3 Hassan bank, In addition, Bureau investigations ef top /hoodluns have indicated the presence of' numbered accounts in Nassau bonks. 5 Bo date, hovever, the Bureau has been unable to penstrake these : AGCOURES » . ' You ave instructed ta promptly have Alfa: savbovtowed by two experienced, mature Agents, His esoperation’shonld be solicited on. the basis that the matter of interest’ to the Burear vrelates to the Natgon's security. He showld be Assured that any ‘information he furnisheS will be on a strictly ¢cnfidential basis and that his identity will not be veveaied outGide the Burcau,. Yt should be pointed out to Alter. éhat he is being contacted “ beeause of his recent affiliation with a Nessar bank, ceupled ‘cote with his extensive experience in banking circles, Mention should Ose pe made to Aizes that there has been prior publicity that some Woes lNassau banks have numbered accounts and that we have inforuation a £ at One of these holders may be Narvtin larther King, dr. it im eupe should be nade clear tO Aster that the Bureau is not investigating we the legitimate activities Gf King in thea civil rights field but ; that- the Bureau's interest, rather, pertains to communist attempts tO influence the civil rights mevenont. Under ne cirouss: stinees ~ ghouid any indication be given te Altex that the Coreau*s tie Sa oe ‘ DATE Ee Wane Ss Navan & Binaborod aCcouns Oratinaved 2eGT ahyone 2a Te GUL eTOR De, enecton I octet e nt ” The Bureau considers this facet of its investigation af ~ Kine one of the most important presently pending.‘ Much of its success is dependent unen the vesuits of the interview with Alter. fhis matter should recoive the personal supervision of you and tné interview with h fitce, should be meticulously prepared for in advance, Give this matter nécdetoeknoy handling in your office, Imnediately following the interview, Lurnish the Bureau details by airtel, {ft ° wilhk not be necessary to advise origin concerning this matter, WEE ALECe® Of Ass ee oe on o* Rise aie mule not he sndicived to fiver that the area's saror= : FAL LON fb ES Chae Cine’ Ss Gicoune 238 S Wael 220 Same Dans WREE? aA Zoe , ger had ae ait mmdovod. Hreore GUGULG CHO be Made bo ObTain 2£Vom ; ALES die poseio.e detaiis concorning any account waich King may i Rave an any Nassau, bank, including the one with which Alter was “Besociated. Neguat 4. = yey Fado Tata Seeviee . ; ! red wie teenth MA a Ok JuW_55091_DocTd:32989547 Page 25
, van ™PPTIONAL FORM NO. 1 ©@ 5010~106 MAY 1963 ZOITION’ na GSA GEN, 2EG,,NO.MI7—* ne? « .»“ UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT : * MemorandunROUTE IN ENVELOPE se A 3 i a. qi: 3 i e Fel Ls Nps r@) Gale TO : Mr. suitivand, . DATE: 12/2/65 Ars sy, mie ; i ~ Mr. Belmont 1 ~ Mr, Gale RR - . = Mr. Mohr 1 Mr. Ware \ _ FROM : FF, J..Baumgardner 43 . Mr. DeLoach Mr. Sullivan peeing . Mr. Dd. Beeman Bi Mr. Baumgardner “ Mr. Phillips Bd You will yecall that we had received second-hand information” oir that a Miss Adele*3 ‘Lovelace, secretary to the Secretary of the Universit WA a ‘Club, Washington,,__ D.C,., had statéd that according to her prother, a ybanker in Nassau, Bahamas, Martin Luther King, dr., haS a numbered cm Bee theconage oaths of over one million dollars where this banker JY ee “snployed. It has been previously recommended, and the Director i rapproved, that.we initiate a discreet investigation to attempt to { a? corroborate this allegation, after which we could consider further - pufaction to discredit King either through counterintelligence channels an) or by turning the information over to the Internal Revenue. | Service * for ossible criminal prosecution,. nop P P Beal ee Pe Freee SEQ We were unable to find any trace of a banker in Fee a Thamed 1 : ‘ 1 1 SUBJECT: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. , 1 . SECURITY MATTER = COMMUNIST pus ve Lh ceiffiduovelace. but have now developed information identifying the banker r rs thereinew1 3 Miss Lovelace. His name is John_ Harmon Alter. a and he ‘is presently employed by the Small Business Mdninisteation in New Orleans , Louisiana, {he was hired ear @ this year and current. CoonTh Y= employment ig approved through 12/30/65). Last previous’ employment peng ey | ; ¢ | by Alte was as Executive Vice President, Capital Cities Bank, Lid. 2 wea | Nassau, 1963-1965. Alter has held a number of responsible positions /aTy in banking and Government circies dating back to 1927, Examples: Vice President and Secretary, Chase National Bank,..New York. City, 1927-1930} Reconstruction Findtice “Corporation;.. 1942-1943. Inter- i national Bank for Reconstruction and Devélopment,- 19471948: - itary sérvice - ADEE EG 46%: and. Assistant. Vice, President, Bank of wAMCPE CA aSAD ETANCISCO , | “California, . 1948-1961... Bufiles contain no adverse information identifiable with Alter, . | Weare proposing -that Alter. be interviewed and on a con~ fidential basis his cooperation be solicited. Our approach to him will be,as an individual with extensive banking experience who has recently been affiliated with a Nassau_bank, his help is being sought in a matter relating to the Nation's security, Mention will be made to Alter that there has been publicity in the past in the press that some, aeecainl Cvtheg — hye ect FRIEMIOL vi 7 4 ~ TG 7Eb& S&L a Ylisede 100106670 FoeH 7 ur réqhésandli¢ Ohio for dssemi- Enclosure <2 one fe en epoped-in responsi Erte 0 od to official polit 2l OY. ‘ your Committee and the content may iwt be discBTerto-nmernt leovwed per SFP: dena nel without the express apphopal of, the FBI. . kee & DEC 6 hs fk qa). CONTINYED!. OVERZ\ Reif A 4 mmerreemday  emrrormeltd 4 5pe1.. Pociat SAGGS547 Page 26 Z 4
ie él Maa Memorandum to Mr, Sullivan Re: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. 109~106670 Nassau banks have numbered accounts and that we have information "€hat one of these account holders may be King,. If Alger is our assurance of anonymity, we should be able to obtain.the ey ccoperative (and we have no reason to believe otherwise) and with information we desire first hand. We believe that at this time us as he is no longer atfiliated with the’ Nassau bank, which fact should encourage his cooperation, and because he is the individual “whe originally made the allegation concerning King. oles approach to Alter is the best course of action open to RECOMMENDATION : “Attached for approval is an airtel to New Orleans containing background information on this matter and instructing that Alter be promptly interviewed by experienced, mature Agents and under discreet circumstances, along the lines indicated above, ire yp aimee. seta td AO ELIS RGA
TO : Mr surtavar’ DATE: 7/14/65 fovea Wg , \y~ 1 = Mr. Belmont 1 - Mr; Sullivan Se ot “h 1 = Mr. Mohr 1 - Mr. Bland "Trotter <——— q’FROM : F, J, Baumgardnex, 1 - Mr. DeLoach 1 = Mr, D.J. Brennan  ~“Holmes:_= ° tA Viry . Mr, Rosen 1 - Mr, Baumgardner - , Gandy e— Ss Ne ‘Ss x & Q x iV] Si 8 8 s 3 3 3 23 Sg true; the necessity for discretion in view of the sensitive Sry pature_of this matter; and the element of urgency which exists. 3% |McCaul{was also given the names of members of King's inmediate ($) 83 . amily and the name of King's organization (Southern Christian Sem, Leadership Conference) because of the possibility of an secon) oe being in other than King's own name, © g3e ~ ‘It was obvious from our discussion with fiecasr nol yo $23] had been previously briefed concerning King, that eet “S| a &_. |-recognizes the importance of this matter. He sai that j j Sses desired to handle this matter personally as he has two <a | SSRs excellent contacts with the Nassau Police. The Head of the Be | ~2$8 |Nassau_Police is a close personal and official acquaintance EOP x £3 oF ecau as ig the Head of the Security Unit of the Nassau(S) Meir gO8 8 Police. llcCaul is presently scheduled to go to Jamacia,,(S) 8S | a&Se8 (BritishWesiiinties,, about two weeks from now relative to ese 8 “ ==: 2S another matter. He will stop off in Nassau, and initiate 2e Ss AS ef appropriate investigation looking toward the a | resolutigh = eS ago" of this matter. Reevemmrterren serene coseismic meB Sz Bip. {20 -ffE6 SE ee S3 ses RILO 1s, SO gegos RECOMMENDATION: . | “e DD . 6 JUL 19 1985 Svs 2 & naeneeennemenamenaeee soe = SSses This is for your informatio Ye wiliefellow closely BY with in keep you advised of pertinent developmen 1ts. re 4 Sew ee BG par og is Rnelosure ok 100~-106670 HW 55091 DocIAy Ag ‘ i - ~€S* OPTIONAL Form HO, 10 P 5010-106 ‘ “™ MAY 1962 EDITION 4h GSA Get, REG. NOI 27 , af iz oe, a . ee a a Aged UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT we . cr me fica? ase Casper Memorandum ROUTE 2 IN ENVELOPRo =. Pejt ————— 1 + Mr, Phillips ., . _, ERRHIEY SUBJECT: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. RUDE FO pee! tps ff ee iy, 2 MATTER - COMMUNIST Aleeiye he Tg kery Sage € Pye rt Mee ee, 0 mele iS fens” , . CLASSIF ED BY Sth aX Urs Re a Giles Cpe tke I Mmypevell ey “he a wk DECLASS! One memorandum to you qr ee “Litached 6/29/68 (be a recommended, and the Director approved that we discuss with eae vy i 6 Michael MeCant a Min5 representative in Washington, D.C., D ‘ | e possibility of Wis initiating investigation in Nassau,” the Bahamas.,, concerning the allegation that King has a numbered account in a Nassau bank with a balance of over one/ } million dollars. P|, bag -) i pit « ae « ’ “s ws Fd o£ oy Qn 7/13/65, this matter was thoroughly discussed he with McCaullby C. D. Brennan, acting for Section Chiet(@) be iF F,.d7 Baumgardner, and Supervisor 8. F. Phillips. | McCaui CG P| ial proceedings by was fully briefed as to the allegation; the extrem = import Hoe" of obtaining factual data which would prove the allegation, if fis your request and is not for .dissemi~ SFP: deh? Ue eon Page~ 26
, wee. / ‘ beg) Memorandumgoure py EXSELOPR = . be + ¥ Had Felt TO : r. Livy DATE:  §/29/65 a , He, Sullivan 1 ~ Mr, Belmont T= we/"Sattivan yet (oe 1- Mr. Mohr 1-~ Mr, Bland. itrottes FROM : F, ad. Baumgar ner i - Mr. DeLoach J] « Mr. D.d. Brennan Tele. Room , 1 - Mr, Rosen 1 - Mr, Baumgardner i 1 ~ Mr, Phillips! supject: MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. . SECURITY MATTER ~ COMMUNIST , f We have just obtained. Anformation by chance which, if proven true, will give us a golden’ opportunity to discredit King ‘because of his communist connections and moral degeneracy. Intelligence Division, was engaged in a golf game, with Richard Armstrong, Executive Director, Effective Citizens) Organization ang? John¥Gwins Speciai-Assistant..to.the.| Comptroller << OF, the,  CUrLency, Bs an “Treasury Department, ‘Phillips bse"! known’ these two individuals onise Ju gg Bhort périod’ or time; they are aware of his employment in the FRE, e Armstrong initiated a conversation about King by observing that a ary friend of his, Representative James Martin, Republican of Alabama,= had told him that he, Martin, had discussed King with the Presidenc and that the President is reluctant te expose King's communist connections because of the harm it would do to the civil rights movement. (It will be recalled that there was recent newspaper publicity wherein Martin was critical of the President on the Kings matter and we furnished details to the White House and Attorney | fr ee . ea® noe C4 yw eatin | were ae o GPU CER gote- oes He Since ot Se eee phsorwed thet pif somubintence,,# oe Niss Lovelace who is emp oyed a e Universi ua a o am. the following \which had been related to her by her brother who is a banker in Nassau, Bahanes,,, According to the banker, King has a numbered account in his bank with a balance of over one miilion [3s liars. Win Said o€ was Surprise o have receive 1s informa tion because he thought it most indiscreet for a bank official tow divulge such information, even to gwsisten, inasmuch as identitiesy; of holders of numbered accounts are the most closely—held type of ‘.\. dinformation existing in banking circles. Without showing undue hoy _ hor bentt Phillips ascertained that (1), Weussacseis ‘a spinster,henc er brother’s name is also velace; anker Lovelace, holds the Seis ra e position of Executive Director of The unknown bank; (3) 4 Miss mova’ holds a responsibte secretarial position Biel DS ne University Cl ax is considered by Gyin.as most reliable. syjCUChUse™ Information in Bufiles and from Public Sources: pr Ses nave To auverse inrorma tion ident ifiabie —— with Armstrong or Gyin. Credit records reveal a Miss_ tei Lovelace is secretary to the Secretary of =) the 2_-University Clap} area “there Ga yes a OPMATION CONTA! OTHERWISE. Hi EREIN 1S UNCLAGSINED EX H W shea mele anne eee ene oe tte AA ALL IN HERE SHOWN war — . Ni: 8 esireo BY ; i: sk G his documeninis pes Tes onse to your" reques and 4s 0, de for His 100-10667 Di ti0 tst, 3 voll ; d use i Eiteed to official proc your ahi os conkent ne nut be disclosed to unauthors oa, SFP:deh tel wwithoWN eres approval of the FGI JUL 1E +585 __ Hi 55091 64.00a: 32989547 Page CONTINUED ~ OPTIONAL FORM.NO. 10 5010-106 ie tT. ‘| “ . Mav DIT‘ON . . Ea thy fH Roy ae, tee. NO. 37 @ SEGRE @ Me | UNSFED STATES GOVERNMENT | ioe on 6/27/65 Supervisor Seymor F, Phillips, pong te ry, DECLASSIFY 0 Seem reek hs NEA thn A UE GRY GO
1rd Memorandum to Mr. Sullivan pores ves 5 Lye, Res Martin Luther King, Jr. “4 a a ta yy 100-106870 , fi a : £ re hn ; ye, fied / | . wr, fagfOr 4 he ey for over 30 years. In November, 1964, just after the Director cs eonp ls out concerning King and other matters, she wrote a complimentary note to the Director with the heading "Hooray for you"Mr. Hoover!" She was thanked for her remares” ‘by Letter” Jassau Telephone Directory has no listing for ‘any Lovelaceg** Rand McNally Bankers Looe, identifies officials of several assau banks but no Lovelace, fisted. In connection with our investigations under ASA oem Criminal Intelligence Program, we have developed information that some Nassau.banks do have numbered accounts. We do not have any sources that can give us specific. information about such numbered accounts. . upside LCL Our investigation of King and related matters has given us some cause to suspect a possible skimming off of funds by King from the vast amounts he collects on behalf of the civil rights movement, is, wonid certainly be consistent with the opportunistic an M, isgencrate nature of King. However, we have never been able to develop any evidence to support such a suspicion. We do know that one of his favorite vacation haunts is Nassau.and he haS made at least two trips there in the past several months, Nassau. is under Brats control and a speci f bra branch, ft, Scotian “Yard is based there “to service British, Fri imoostisative needs; ~"inéluding those of MI-5. Michael Mc, aay FEF MI-5,| representative in Washington, D. cc, has previously “pean (Ss apts britted by us concerning King and would appear to be our best fey Channel for attempting to establish whether or not King does have a large sum of money concealed in a Nassau bank. tence Ai ewereeet OBSERVATIONS AND PROPOSED COURSE OF ACTION: If we can prove that King is hcarding large sums of money, we would have available possibly the best information to date which could be used to discredit him, especially in the eyes of his own people. Depending on exactly what evidence is developed, ve may take the action to discredit King ourselves(through friendly news sources, or the like) or we might turn the information over to the Internal Revenue Service for possible criminal prosecution. This bridge can be crossed when we reach_it. For the present, we propose taking this matter up with L of Mies (with the request ($) that he initiate, on a highly confi entia basis, investigation to establish the truth of the allegation. believe that, t ere is a Eee f CONTINUED - OVER “bw = 2 = AS Cfiky KE Chey | AW 35091) Docld: 32989547 Page 30 ree AL NPR aac botidet ate mpanian ced atten mt Peewee wari tee tt ast Anette at aM imntante te a Te f umnb a, Me RA Ee
L Memorandum to Mr, Suilivan Re: Martin luther King, Jr. 100-106670 | sense of urgency in this matter and should not delay our action because it is entirely likely that other individuals may have been in receipt of this information and inquiries by others, such aS an ambitious newspaper man, could well interfex with our designs. There is also the possibility that Armstrong, who cyl F. tee also overheard Gwin's remarks and is friendly with Congressman fe | Martin, may tell Martin and thus set into motion inquiries from f another direction, f RECOMMENDATION: inquiry. You will be kept advised of CS) <cepapeasanncomnyent ir nee tsren witeecrentaiiunnnns wares iteeierirte ot emacs ok oy 3 LEIS HS WANE GLE SAA Dh PRR TE TOLE TTI ERED OT PE Pn! HW 55091 DoclId:32969547 Page 31 : = |