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 : v9.1 JFK Assassination System Identification Form Agency Information HSCA 180-10080-10441 NUMBERED ‘FILES 010376 Document Information HSCA FBI 08/02/1978 2 FBI ADMINISTRATION OUTSIDE CONTACT REPORT Unclassified Consulted Withhold 07/24/1993 190-1. Box 190. HW 50529 DBocld:32246633 Page 1 Date: 10/2/20]
| S. . of vans KENNEDY OUTSIDE CONTACT REPORT : 91937 § - DATE 8/2/78 -“prmell:oo a : oe Identifying Information: ; _ Name AL Chéstoné 7 7 a “Telephone _ (202) 664- 5267. ‘Raaressél whitelist “Ave; Westwood, New: Jersey - | -. Type of Contact: ox Telephone oe Oo , a ~Person. 9 0 0 : ‘Summary of Contact po TEA ate cae - vote Pursuant to, Merita Lorenz allegations: goncerning a. photograph’ she Mo Sak claims “tov have. given’ Chestone depicting Ostaia, ‘Lorenz, ‘Hemming. and: Sturgis. vor at: a ‘training ‘camp in Florida,’ Chestone was’ ‘called to ascertain. the truth of these |." | ‘statement . we 7 Chestone: was’ ‘formally with the. E Bs :T. in, “New York. ‘As. part of. his. duties he kept certain: a and. Soviet block. individuals under surveillance.’ Lou, _Warsits,, 2 Merita’ ‘S husband ‘€xom_ \ approximately 1970= “1995; was, the building manager of” es “the nevibercy ‘apts. 250 E. 88th . Street in New York: This apartment building. was” ee - ‘the residence, for. many, OF ‘these Soviets” ‘connected with: the U. N. | elegation. HW 50529 Docld;32248883__ Pat
Chestone stated at: no time was Merita an "operative" for the F.B.I. as she had stated, nor was she a source or an informant. During the time Chestone knew Lou and Merita, she never once mentioned Lee Harvey Oswald, although in 1976, after Chestone had retired, Merita called him and asked if he remembered receiving a photograph from her wherein Oswald appeared. Chestone told her she was mistaken, then inquired as~to what she was referring to concernpng Oswald. Chestone believes Merita to be a sweet but pathetic person, seeking to enlarge her role in life by constantly seeking publicity. He also characterizes her a person given to fantasy and lies. Chestone recalls Merita let} her husband Lou and moved into an apartment with Peno Fagiane, a mob hit man or enforcer. Chestone believes this is the only real conatct Merita has ever had with anyone remotely connected with organized crime contrary: to her statments over the’ yeats. - Merita mentioned also having worked with John Cotter as an FBI informer. Chestone explained that Cotter took over when Chestone retired and used Yvarsits as his contact for watching the Soviets at the Newberry building. Chestone feels that Cotter was well’ aware of the immagination of Merita and would not have used her in any capacity. | With respect to Merita's allegation concerning her work with the CIA, Chestone believes this would have come up on a background check made when he was using Yvarsits:as an informer; it did not appear.Merita was connected. With regard to JFK exhibit #124, a letter of thanks from the FBI to Merita, Mrs. Louis Yvarsits, Chestone explained this was meant for Lou, but he requested it be sent to Merita to make her feel she was part of the patriotic duties > a : performed by her husband. In summary Chestone feels Merita has completely exaggerated her role with the AW 50529 p Doght: 422 429493 i eeage n2it being truthful about the “Siang =" Oswald photograph.