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 FBI 124-10211-10461 HQ SEE TITLE Document Information FBI SAC, NY DIRECTOR, FBI [Restricted] 04/21/1960 8 DLH, ASSOC, MED/PERS HIST PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Secret 1B; 1C; 4 Redact 05/14/1998 INDEFINITE NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 1 Date: 5/26/201
co ~ —~ — — . = eee ey a) OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10 5010-104-01 + ~ #-*+—"YNITED STATES GC” ~ERNMENRAORET Memorandum 7 . TO : DIRECTOR, vr [(105- anroi fs) DATE: APR24 1960 ) (fe F2UN326 _? / ( From : SAC, NEW YORK ((205-276517} 6) Classifled hy SPE BWA A : OQ. Dectassify on: OADR #/26/o5 supject: [{LEONID AFANASIEVICH KOVALEV SPY npr J R 920 JFK) Re NY airtel, 4/15/60, captioned as above. K)(u) n 4/11/60, 160 Claremont OTHER 4 Ave..N C advised SA RICHAD.W. HILL that the ae telephonically contacted him on that dafe and told . that hefhad just returned from the USSR)and wished to meet OTHER 1B,1C,4 or dinner on 4/12/60. Subject requested that . contact ANNETTE EPSTEIN, since he did not know how to reac ~ va { her, and invite her to attend this dinner. WIth [KOVALEV ](s that — - | and him. | he “him. OR EPSTEIN and she agreed to meet with /KOVALEV wi) on 4/13/60, [| furnished the following informa-| tion to SAS RICHARD W. HILL and ARTHUR H. SEIDEL: On 1/12/60, Govazifrived at [____ residence, | UjiGoO Claremont Ave, NYC, at approximately 5:40 p.m. He entered| he apartment, exchanged greetings with co ana then casually looked around the apartment. He asked if he was now living alone and | said that he was. They | lest the apartment, entered the subject's car, which was parked SB in front of the building, and proceeded to ANNETTE EPSTEIN's } OTHER 1B,1C OTHER 1B,1C,4 ) eeecence. ‘Sy kovarey [stated that he had{returned from the USSR | d (visited Moscow, but spent most of his(¢ 3/28/6 i X bine in(Sinsley since his mother waS ill and the family wasC3] sAyy having iffictities during this period of illness. He said a QS that he would_now remain in the US for some_time, since he 5 Hwee signed a (three year contract with the UN SR Csj se ae G2 =f 2=Bureau L( 105- 64470) (RM), Vis ~Y C2 CRT-New York) (105-27654 Bony |r. pute)! . oo -New York] (0205-20553) (VAN) Y. FEDORCHENKQ {1-New York|(195-27649) (vURIY'A. MISHUKOvay: 31-New York [(T05-37990) (DENNIS HAR \) 1-New York@y AMER TCO Si 1-New York 134- “Nets tA = | 1-New York (134-4215) (INV -1-New York [(105- 27651 )\ Cy For rev. ip | (a sngb HSCA re 3) UB apa ET tomy ees SECREM — > _ = | NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 2
it i ~— 7 (ec cn, [av 105-27651 YS) In response to frovarzy'<] lestions, [_} advised OTHER 1B,1C,4 him that he was now carrying a full teaching program at Columbia University, where he teaches three classes in the Japanese language. The thiee classes have a total of approximately twenty students.4Z) ~ oo | . | VALEV [elfen asked[______] about ANNETTE EPSTEIN OTHER 1B,1C,4 and was told that she had returned to NYC from California, | since she did not like it there. [SOVALEV)was also interested 6) in knowing if IL———had_seenCIVAN Y. FEDORCHENKO before he returned to the USSRAS said that [REDORCHENKOMMad - called him before he vie tly ‘see each other .(k) | At this point they arrived at ANNE EPSTEIN 's (Abies 1B,1c,4 i { | C, residence, 345 West 88th St4, parked the car and proceeded CY) to her apart +to-~After- exchanging greetings, EPSTEIN left the room and (KOVALEV ated himself in a wing-backed chair. | ! As he sat dowh he asSumed a very erect position, since the hair was very narrow, and said that he felt like a Pope. a asked_if he phould confess his sins and ask for absolution. }|KOVALE parently did not understand the remark and explained that the Pope,could grant for- iveness of an individual's sins. OVALEYKemmediately told a to come forward-and make his conféssion. kovarwyfPommentes that he was now a Catholic and produced medalTion which was attached to a key chain. He ; exhibited the medallion on one side of which was an inscription to the effect that the possessor was a Catholic and in the _event of an accident or death, a priest should be summoned . () EPSTEIN returned to the room and Govareg2rs0 told OTHER 1B,1C,4 her that he was a C j nd made several similar remarks | to.her as he had to They then left the apartment and entered /KOVALEV's r, in which they proceeded south on "| the West Sidé Highway. As they drove, they passed the SS UNITED STATES and the QUEEN ELIZABETH, which were docked at the piers. A ' 4 scone ) | | sw 45808 DocIiId:32293685 Page 3
[Secret EPSTEIN indicated that the SS UNITED STATES was "her ship". [KOVALEV{¥sked them if they had seen ee CHENKO px 105-27651 |) off when he returned to the USSRJSThey told [KovVATEV[Phat FEDORCHENKO had not invited them*to sée hi ff. and ‘they, herefore, did not visit him when he left} s) While discussing places to es dinner, Kovarmyl 8) commented that. he liked martinis and steaks and suggested that they visit O'Henry's Restaurant in Greenwich Villages to which they all agreed. fA U w) IKOVALEVMnade inquiry concerning "The OTHER 1B,1c,4 d-previously met at a party. identified her as ZEN ODRIQUES, who was at a party at his apartment in June, 19%6.) The corpses was advised that she is now in Ven her home . KOVALE ommented that apparently (S)[E=DoRcHENKO did not appreciate the. fact that he ye During dinner, South American girl" he had been dancing very closely with this girl an EDORC IkOT{s) had criticized him for this manner of behavior. OVALE stated that] FEDORCHENKO was not his [xovaLev andywas ao ss 1S) peasant" for-Voicing an objection to [eovanzy's “Seyever: & ANNETTE EPSTEIN did not feel well ) the course of the dinner and left the table on several eee City Once, while seating herself, she brushed against ]/KOVALE ho commented that it appeared that she liked him. EPSTEIN became. embarrassed, but immediately told{ KOVALEVféhat she had accidently brushed against him.and it did’not mean anythings [KOVALEV(Mecame apologetic and went to great lengths to resdlve the comment he had made and establish a more congenial and friendly oe sonore OQ) | STEIN asked [Kova H2n YURIY A. che aney and BORIS OTHER 1B, 1c,4 I. somone and [ovarey ommented that sp pparently liked them better th iked him. Govais Sand that FOREMAN should have a party, br she ced BUKATIY, Gd he could attend and meet some of their friends Since he. stressed this several times during the eveping, agreed to have such a party on 4/16/60. [KOVALEYF@pproved of this idea and said he would determine iffMISHUKOV arid BUTT pp attend. | nw 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 4
[ix 2105-27651]6 } They also. discussed .exchanging }Russian, and Englis® OTHER 1B,1C,4 lessons and the suggestion was made that ‘40 Ba EPSTEIN should form team to exchange lessons and [KOVALEV 's wife, RIMMAJZould do the same. [KOVALE gS that he would discuss thid-with his wife to determine if she would-be agree- able to such an arrangement. oe Upon leaving O'Henry's Restaurant, [KOVALE Suggested that they go somewhere and have some beer. They went to the West En afe.on Broadway near Columbia University. Enroute, VALE ked them to sing some American folk songs, which they did, since he enjoyed them.' (i) on After arriying at the West End Cafe, they discussed i politics and (ova Lev was interested in the(American electoralC $ system.| They. explained the(operation of conventionsJand the CS elect 1. system to KOVALEV,\who stated “it is all very silly {.s | Tsn't it”. . t being interested in palmistry as an amuse- OTHER 1B,1C,4 ment, then starte o read} KOVALEV' alm. As he was. doing so he told [KOVALEVAthat his palm_re¥lecfed that he was very interested in women, upon which /KOVALE ithdrew his hand and said that he was not a woman ch@ er . SQ : { They SVA LEVI roximately 45 minutes at the West: End Cafe and chen KOVA (Perove them home. Enroute to[__ +] +=‘ OTHER 1B,1c,4 residence, [KO Columbia auiserstt Vo oe a | as a guide. |KOVALE dad’ not specify_exactly what he would like to see at Columbia Universify. (Q (oovarey]tnen dropped [| at his residence at approximately i Goon /60, EPSTEZY, telephonically advised SA RICHARIorner 1B, 1c, 4 aid : | uld like to take a t of - | J pL LL tat ONID KOVALEV ad contacted ph tnat ate and had Invited[___Jand herself to have dinner with him on 4/12/60. ‘CS SMa | NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 5
peonen Pe uy fivw.105~27651 S) 4/14/60, EPSTEIN was interviewed by SAS ARTHUR CTHER 18/1¢,4 H. SEIDEL ahs po W. HILL at her residence. She stated that fpovarey d arrived at her apartment at 6:00 p.m., 4/12/60. [SOVALE okingly told her that he was now a Catholic and showed“her a St. Christopher medal_on his key, chain. After some small talk the three then entered] K vaLev ‘afar and drove down. the West de Drive to Greenwich Village. uring this . time, KovatEV{Bbean to kid EPSTEIN about her relationship with (2 IVAN Yv FEDORCHENKOJand intimated that he had been her lover. his irritated EPSTEIN, who denies such a relationship, and (OOovaLEyy then asked her if ZENIA RODRIQUES ws still around. EPSTEIN explained i a was a Venezuelan who had attended a party at apartment in June, 1958 (NY letter to Bureau_2/17/60). At this party, [FEDORCHENKOThad/S eritized [KOVA r_Agliding RODRIQUES too Close whilé ganéing. EPSTEIN told[KOVAJEY/MHat ROPRIQUES was in Venezuela. [KOVALEV\ then stated at (FEDORCHENKO d no right to criticize him re. RODRIGUES, that/{FEDORCHENK s a "stupid peasant" and had no authority over[KOVALEV] (S$) They proceeded to O'Henry's Restaurant, 345 6t Ave., NYC, in Greenwich Village, and[~______] ana [KovaLEv_|fs OTHER 1B,1C,4 had steak dinners; EPSTEIN did not eat, as she did. not fee well, but hag four cognacs. EPSTEIN then ab fcs KOVA quit he had seen [runt MISHUKOV and BORIS BUKATIY J2% vaLev] hen (S$ . began to chide her, saying that EPSTEIN liked/YURI@md BORIS 6) better than himself and asked her if she like hem better than/ FEDORCHENKO PSTEIN then stated that she thought UKATIYJwas quite goo ooking, ignoring the reference to ( S$) EEDORCHENKO. Tkovarevithen (isi that FOREMAN should have a party and he would bring/MISHUKOV and BUKATIYSWith him. The three then agreed that FOREMAN would furnish his apartment for ports on Saturday night 4/16/60, and that EPSTEIN and would invite some of their friends. J) EPSTEIN said that she had been going to the ladies - room frequently at the restaurant and that upon coming back. to the tabled sitting, her leg had accidentally brushed against (KOVALEV's. KovatnYfgpiied her attention to it and (Q Gu) J i SECRED ¢ ar) “ 3 Sly A >t . 3 7 @ ‘). ic re voy , NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 6
(Secret fu | ‘ 10527651 (5) | that she liked him. EPSTEIN said that she was quite embarrass@OTHER 1B,1C,4 and angry and blurted out to[___]that "I told you I never | should have come, I never could stand him" [KOVALEV became(S) | very apologetic and wanted to analyze what “had happened in order to show his good intentions. EPSTEIN then rem ed quiet and took little part in the discussion while [KOVALEV ntinued attempting to keep a spirit of iendshan going. EPSTEIN stated that it was. obvious that |KOVA as not enjoying himself. He appeared very self-conscious and his protestation of frinndship seemed hollow. He made jokes which neither[(——_] nor EPSTEIN hought funny and seemed to be forcing his friendship on them. He remarked several times that all Russian men are crude asants, but, in effect, must be excused because their hearts are in the right places ) He stated that he had become very Americanized in that he-now carried a St. Christopher medal, he has a Chevrolet and @resses as do the Americans. He also said that he was very fond of martinis:and steaks. He. wants to learn all about American popular music and has a reoord of F SINATRA and some others. EPSTEIN stated that /KOVALEY ooks like an American except that his hair is longer than the average erican's \ and he speaks with an accent although his English is good. ) / When [cova Det the table EPSTEIN and(____] OTHER 1B,1C,4 agreed that [KOVALE ted something from they, his actions - were so false, but were unable to decide what (Ry ‘ Evdn though a very strained atmosphere existed after  (Offpvatev' rename about EPSTEIN brushing against him, he suggested they go Some place to have beer. They then droye to the West End Bar, near Columbia University and enroute, VALEV{aske S) them to sin ome erican folk songs for him, which ey di e pas, frowns discussed US politics and asked them how 052 the(Us President was elected.) They explained that to him, whi he said sounded like circus and was: guite sill | EPSTRIN: then remarked that(five men|had put (MAURIS cmv) CS in office. after BTALIN's death,Jwhich made {Xt OVALE Jangry .C3 EPSTEIN then remained non-committal during the re of ¢, discussion of US politics. (KOVArEV] then said to(EPSTEIN the(S) - 6 - 1 ae NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 7
. [SECRET Ww) py 105-27651 (6) (she was a history major and would like to see how much she OTHER 1B,1C,4 ew. about. Russian histry.. She. Gated. that she answ most of his questions correctly ][9Also at this bar — who is an amateur palmist, begat to read Kovatey+gfebarm. FOREMAN told ‘him that he had a good hear that he has a very strong character, bu ended to be crude and that, he was a ladies! man. OVALEVESulled his hand away at that point, saying that he was not a woman chaser, ) 8) 14 EPSTEIN and OTHER 1B,1C,4 They agnesd that (kova ussian and English énguage and [RMA KOVALEV. ould exchange les EPSTEIN. had toa soyaedg enat she was planning tofs enter the Fordham University muss an Institute)in the fal and, therefore, was ,intereste taking({Russtfan.\ In thiscs connection, EPSTEIN jstated that ( KOVALEV {spoke to her in Ce; fRussian] several. tines during the coursé of the evening andaGs expressed surprise. that she did not speak it Sf She then rel that [KOVALEV and FEDORCHENKOJ nad taken her home’ from one (30 the parties in 1958 and sinte they had been remarking’ about exorbitant rents in America, she had taken them into her mother's apartment, which is spacious and rents for only $70 per month. .They met her mother, who was porn in Russia, and speaks native Russian, ardiconversed with her briefly in that language. / ‘s). | [KoVALE asked. EPSTEIN what she was doing now and upon | leawikhesthat she taught at the public school in the Bronx, where the colored girl received the letter from NIKITA KHRUSHCHEV, asked her if she was responsible for the girl's having written. EPSTEIN thought he was kidding and answered, "Well, the girl wrote the letter". [xovatev made no further comment. They left the West End Bar in{KQVALEV' Ds, OTHER 1B,1C,4 droppedC__Joff at his apartment and proceeded to her | pe where she shook hands with (KOVALE é the door .6&) A (Cererern stated that she had contacted AMERICO PA LEBE EBE to nvite him to the party; he accepted and is to bring a See American friend.] He told her that he had received a A (4) | | _ (YY SECRED. NW 45808 DociId:32293685 Page 8
ee ‘105-276 fie 105-27 5116) . / a cable from DENN RBER, | his ex-roommate, {from Mexico city BS (4) requesting $100 so ‘that he 'd travel to . [SALEBE said that he was. unable to do this as SALEBE had beerin the hospital, after almost having gone blind’ EPSTEIN also learned that SALEBE is gmployed by LOCKHEED at Idlewild Airport, She stated that/in her opinion both HARBER and [SALE58 faPe(@) ) homosexuals.. recalled that SALEBE, (KOVALEV, MISHUKOV and VADIM (au jes attended a party given by a wealthy society woman durittg the summer of 1953, which SALEBE had told her about. She stated that SALEBE told her of several such gatherings during the period September, 1958 - summer of 1959, but she could not recall the woman's name. However, SALEBE told her on 4/13/60, that the woman had again con- | tacted him in order to arrange another such party. [This | woman planned to vist Russia, at one time, but never did so.| &)- | complete details concerning the 4/16/60, party to the NYO. ‘Detailed information concerning this party will be furnished jto the Bureau. (RX) u) t j SEGRED Oy) | | 3 | (") AC rosa) Sat aes EPSTEIN and[____| have volunteered to furnish OTHER mee | | NW 45808 Docid:32293685 Page 9