AGENCY : RECORD NUMBER : RECORD SERIES : AGENCY FILE NUMBER : “Document Information ORIGINATOR : FROM: TO: TITLE: DATE: ‘PAGES: SUBJECTS : DOCUMENT TYPE : CLASSIFICATION : RESTRICTIONS : CURRENT STATUS : DATE OF LAST REVIEW: OPENING CRITERIA : COMMENTS : v9.1 Docld: 32319945 Page 1 JFK Assassination System Identification Form SSeS Agency Information FBI 124-10372-10280 HQ 62C-HQ-1029205-1162 FBI OBRIEN MORRIS 03/26/1996 11. JFKARCA OF 1992 PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT Secret 1B; 1C; 3; 4 Redact 04/01/1999 INDEFINITE 125
QP RPRPRPRPRPRPRPBRRPRPRPREE RB tt | COSFCREIT COs” Dep. Dir. Chief of Memorandum Staff Off. of Gen. Counsel Asst. Dir.: Crim. Inv. GUIS Finance Info. Res. To : Mrs. Morris Date 3/26/96 National Sec. Personnel ~~ Training Off. of EEOAL . , ‘ . Off. of Public From é J. Kevin O’Brien & Cong. Affs. Ft ee tink ¥E ase —_— Director’s Office Subject: JFK TASK FORCE PURPOSE: To advise that on or about 4/2/96, the Assassination Records Review Board (ARRB) will advise us of their determinations on 41 FBI documents, previously postponed (redacted) to protect informants and foreign counterintelligence (FCI): information to include sources, methods and foreign relations; and to request Criminal Investigative Division (CID) and National Security Division (NSD) to review the determinations and provide their positions on the determinations, as to appeal. (U) RECOMMENDATION: That CID and NSD addend this memorandum with their positions as to appealing the ARRB decisions and so advise the JFK Task Force (JFKTF) and the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) by 3/29/96. (U) Enclosure 62-HQ-1029205 ~ Mr. Kennedy, Room 7142 - Mr. Collingwood, Room 7240 - Mr. R. Bucknam, Room 7176 - Mr. Shapiro, Room 7427 - Mr. P. Kelley, Room 7338 - Mr. Bryant, Room 7110 - Ms. Buckleitner, Room 4127 - Mr. Loturco, Room 4026 Mr. Swanda, Room 4425 ~ Mr. Esposito, Room 7116 - Mr. Divers, Room 4944 - Ms. Tucker, Room 4944 - Mr. O’Brien, Room 6296 TS. AC ae - M . Keel , R 6362 ; ! a“ - Mr. Valentine, Room 3G OC- i Ht ee!) yo 176 - Ms. Siford/Mrs. Leeper, Y foom te Ik (17) (CONTINUED - OVER) SECRET
co SECRET CO Memorandum from J. Kevin O’Brien to Mrs. Morris, dated 3/26/96 Re: JFK Task Force 62-HQ-1029205 DETAILS: On or about 4/2/96, the ARRB will formally advise, by letter to the Director, the determinations voted by them on FBI documents at meetings held 2/29 - 3/1/96 and 3/18 - 19/96. The ARRB letter will list determinations including the following actions: the release of 44 potential criminal informant (PCT) identities, the protection of seven PCIs, the release of 20 potential security informant (PSI) identities, the release of 2 individuals’ identities listed as security informants (SI), the release of 11 Cuban sources, Whe protection of the t chnical Cs surveillance on the Israeli Embassy, Washington, D. Cc.) the release of information from a technical surveillance” on the Cuban Mission, the release of information from a technical surveillance of a Polish diplomatic establishment, and the sustainment of all information related to the "Soviet" matters with a release date of August, 1996. Of the 41 documents, the FBI is in agreement with the ARRB decision to sustain the postponements in 12 documents. ( A review of the ARRB decisions to date provides the following observations: a. individuals listed as PCIs in FBI documents for which the FBI Headquarters and field office confidential indices are negative or a review of FBI records determines the PCI deceased without a potential threat to family members are released; those PCIs that the FBI provides background for, but can not determine if they are living or deceased, the ARRB is deciding by birth date whether to release; and those PCIs the FBI was able to establish as still living, and involved in criminal activity are protected for 10 years; b. individuals listed as PSIs are only protected if they have provided life threatening information, those PSIs Or. SIs providing information on communist party matters or anti Castro matters have been released; the ARRB staff has suggested that PSIs or SIs who were possibly double agents or working closely with foreign establishments where a potential threat could be perceived would be protected, but this situation has not yet been tested; c. Cuban sources are released, these individuals have usually been listed with common names and are very difficult searching and positively identifying; d. sources of information, gambling informants, and _ established sources follow the same guidelines as PCIs unless \ developed into security sources. (U) SECRET Docld: 32319945 Page 3
Docld: 32319945 Page 4 COSECRET CO Memorandum from J. Kevin O’Brien to Mrs. Morris, dated 3/26/96 Re: JFK Task Force 62-HO-1029205 The 29 documents pertaining to the decisions from the current meeting, which the FBI may wish to appeal, are summarized as follows, by document number: (U) 1. HQ 44-24016-166, NAR 124-10068-10015, isa San Antonio teletype providing information gathered by canvassing all informants. The ARRB sustained the postponements for PCIs Henry Carter and Phillip Bordonaro for 10 years. The ARRB opened the following PCIs: J. C. Stephenson, Vance F. Bordelon, Caesar J. Ferris, Jack Patrick Hanratty, Robert S. Yarrington, Vincent L. Locicero, Wade Hansen, Mary Halbouty, Marion C. "Sonny" Pearson, J. H. "Dude" Stelfox, Leonard Simpson, Ralph Greenwood Salter, Charles V. Flora, Barney Ham, and Jack Marvin. (U) 2. HQ 44-24016-2NR583, NAR 124-10081-10196 and HO 62- 109060-1996, NAR 124-10027-10077, is a report setting out the negative contacts of the informants canvassed for the Albuquerque office. The ARRB voted to protect the numeric portion of the symbol numbers for 10 years, but to open the)names of the PCIs. The PCIs are Ralph T. Trujillo, B. Howard Thorne, Edmond Zufferey, E. L. Keith, and Kit Pettigrew. (U) 3. HQ 44-24016-643, NAR 124-10069-10021, isa Philadelphia airtel providing information about the Fair Play for Cuba Committee and Quebec-Washington-Guantanamo Walk for Peace. The ARRB protected the numeric portion of the symbol numbers for 10 years, but opened the identity of PSI Silverio Hernandez. (U) 4. HQ 44-24016-672, NAR 124-10069-10060, isa Milwaukee report setting out the negative contacts about Jack Ruby. The ARRB sustained the postponements for Don Christensen and David Kohler, but opened the identities of the other PCIs._ The PCIs are John Piscuine, Robert Pick, Anthony J. Bruno, Harry W. Kaminsky, George Mehoves, James Lovelace, Sid Pierce, Charlene Rossman, and Frank Russell. (U) 5. HO 44-24016-803, NAR 124-10072-10001, is a Dallas report with information from a St. Louis office PCI. The ARRB voted to open this document in full releasing PCI William Frances Lugar. (U) 6. HQ 105-82555-109, NAR 124-10035-10046, is a Jacksonville report providing the results of their investigation. The ARRB voted to protect the numeric portion of the symbol numbers and the identity of PCI Andrew B. Jackson, Sr. for 10 years. (U) SECRET
CO SECRET CO Memorandum from J. Kevin O’Brien to Mrs. Morris, dated 3/26/96 Re: JFK Task Force 62-HQ-1029205 7. HO 105-82555-455, NAR 124-10035-10025, is a Dallas report providing information to New Orleans for further | investigation. The ARRB voted to open this document in full. This will identify the following Cuban sources; Ernesto Bascuas, Roberto Fernandez De Castro, Tina E. Herlinger, Mona Mac Murray, Mario Lopez, Orlando Piedra, Josefa Soto, Frank Valle, Carmen Rubio, Amparo Rocha Laredo and Anthony Molero. (U) 8. HO 105-82555-512, NAR 124-10035-10104, is a Los Angeles report setting out their investigation. The ARRB voted to open this document in full. This will release the identities of the following PSIs: Flora Jean DiCarlo, Vincent J. DiCarlo, Mattie Johnson, Carol Catalano, Ronald Bruce Sinclair, Dolores Sanchez, Joseph Sanchez, Mrs. Benton M. Ferguson, Evangilina : Gonzalez, Charles E. Ball, Virginia Watts, Richard T. Taggart, Carmen De Lara Taggart, William F. Cochrane, Betty Maxine Cotman, Jane Sanchez, Mrs. James Casto, and Howard G. Harrison. (U) | 9. HQ 105-82555-569, NAR 124-10171-10000, is a Milwaukee report providing the results of their investigation. The ARRB voted to sustain the postponements of Don Christensen, Andrew Curro and Samuel Botonis and the numeric portion of the classified symbol numbers, but to open the identities of the remaining PCIs. The PCI identities released are John Piscuine, Frank Wildman, Harry Meiroff, Robert Pick, Frank Cicchini, Margaret Hartman, Barnett Franks, William Edward Conis, Gregory i Schleisman, and Lawrence Eaton. (U) ; 10. HO 105-82555-581, NAR 124-10035-10054, is an Oklahoma City report setting out the results of their investigation. The ARRB voted to open this document in full revealing the identities of Harvard Paul Williams (former i OC 279-8) and Lesley Arnold Renshaw (former CS OC 346-S). (U) : 11. HQ 105-82555-604, NAR 124-10023-10215, is a Pittsburgh report providing the results of their investigation. The ARRB voted to open this document in full releasing the identity of PCI Carol A. Smith. (U) i 12. HO 105-82555-655, NAR 124-10035-10067, is a Miami - report setting out the results of their investigation. The ARRB voted to protect the numeric portion of the symbol number for 10 years, but opened the identity of PCI Carlos Acosta, Jr. (U) 13. HO 105-82555-663, NAR 124-10035-10068, is Milwaukee report submitting additional results of the » investigation. The ARRB voted to sustain the postponement for PCI David Kohler, but open the identity of 4 | Docld: 32319946 Page 45 ; SEC RR LT ~
--SECRET co Memorandum from J. Kevin O’Brien to Mrs. Morris, dated 3/26/96 Re: JFK Task Force 62-HQ-1029205 21. HQ 44-24016-737, NAR 24-10084-10088, is an airtel from WMFO provides information erom (a technical surveillance on( S_) the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D-S The ARRB voted to sustain the prefix, numeric, suffix and“asterisk and the additional identifying information until 2017. The substitute language to be used is "source symbol number", "name and title", "name", and "investigative interest". Cf) 22. HQ 62-109060-1705, NAR 124-10027-10397, is a teletype from New York providing information about Tass. The ARRB voted to sustain the prefix, numeric, suffix, and asterisk until 2017. The remaining information in the first paragraph they voted to release in August, 1996, although the JFKTF had previously agreed to release that information. The substitute language is "identifies source or method". (U) 23. DL 89-43-10556, NAR 124-10073-10489, is an airtel from Dallas setting out a list of items being shipped to Washington. The ARRB voted to sustain the postponement of "RUSSIAN FUNDS; IS-R" until August, 1996, when it will be open in full. (S(u) 24 - 25. HQ 105-82555-521, NAR 124-10023-10217, and HQ 105-82555-7NR782, NAR 124-10170-10017, are documents to and from New York concerning checking money in the possession of Lee ' Harvey Oswald when he was arrested. The ARRB voted to sustain these documents until August, 1996, when they are to be opened in full releasing "by Soviets". j 26. HQ 62-109060-1593, NAR 124-10151-10140, is a teletype from Boston reporting information on Joseph Mostecki. The ARRB voted to sustain the postponement until August, 1996, when the document will be opened in full releasing "correspondence", which refers to a mail cover on the Soviet Embassy. (30M, 27. HQ 62-109060-1739, NAR 124-10027-10405, is an airtel from Tampa providing the results of an interview with Robert Bruce Allen. The ARRB voted to sustain the postponement until August, 1996, when the document will be open in full releasing "contact with the Cultural Attache, Russian © Embassy". Aly) 28. HO 62-109060-2155, NAR 124-10027-10405, is an internal memorandum about comparing typewriting samples. The ARRB voted to .sustain the postponements until August, 1996, when \ the information will be open in full releasing "Soviet official" and "Soviet officials in the U. S.". CAN 6 SECRET Docld: 32319945 Page 6 a fe 3
eee - a wee Ne! Nae NL Memorandum dated 3/26/96 to Mrs. Morris from J. Kevin. Re: JFK Task Force ; ws ADDENDUM: CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIVE DIVISION (CID 14/96 SLT: slt Reference 8/3/95 CID addendum to memorandum dated 7/28/95 to William E. Baugh, Jr. from John A. Hartingh, entitled "JFK Task Force." Based on the general rationale articulated in the referenced addendum, and that set forth below, the CID takes the following position with regard to those proposed releases relating to CID sources: . Tab 1) a) PCI Jack Patrick Hanratty - Appeal - Although the source is deceased, there is no information regarding the existence of surviving family members. The source was used as a top echelon informant for a five year period. Due to his access to high levels within organized crime circles, and their known penchant for violent retaliation, the CID cannot consider supporting a disclosure of his assistance to the FBI - even as a PCI - absent an effort to locate and contact survivors to ascertain the potential impact of the proposed disclosure on them. b) PCIs Jack Marvin, Mary Halbouty, Ceasar J. Ferris, Robert S. Yarrington, J.H. Stelfox, Charles B. Flora, Barney Ham, Ralph Greenwood Salter, Leonard Simpson, J. C. Stephenson - Release - A good faith search of Bureau and public records has revealed no data allowing the PCIs to be further identified located, and advised of the proposed releases. c) PCI Phil Bordonaro - Appeal Unless Reassessment Following Ten Year Postponement Is Allowed - A ten year extended postponement is insufficient if it mandates automatic disclosure at the end of that period and would preclude the FBI from contacting the PCI to re-assess the risks of disclosure. dad) PCIs Vance F. Bordelon and Marion C. Pearson Appeal - There is no information reflecting efforts to determine the existence of surviving family members of these individuals. Accordingly, the CID cannot consider supporting a disclosure of the sources' assistance to the FBI - even as PCIs - absent an effort to locate and contact survivors to ascertain the potential impact of the proposed disclosure on them. - 7- ip- (oats - NE i a 2- ore LS, Wet ext ey = fl Docld: 32319945 Page fF
e) PCI Henry Carter - Appeal Unless Reassessment Following Ten Year Postponement Is Allowed - A ten year extended postponement is insufficient if it mandates automatic disclosure at the end of that period and would preclude the FBI from contacting the PCI to re-assess the risks of disclosure. f) PCIs Vincent Locicero and Wade Hansen — Appeal - There is no information regarding the existence of surviving family members of these individuals - one of whom was a symboled source, and the other of whom provided information on a number occasions. Accordingly, .the CID cannot consider supporting a disclosure of their assistance to the FBI - even as PCIs - absent an effort to locate and contact survivors to ascertain the potential impact of the proposed disclosure on them. Tab 2) a) PCI E. L. Keith ~- Appeal — The source was subsequently opened aS a symboled source and utilized as such for a 5 year period. Although he/she deceased, there is no information regarding the existence of surviving family members. Accordingly, the CID cannot consider supporting a disclosure of his assistance to the FBI - even as a PCI - absent an effort to locate and contact survivors to ascertain the potential impact of the proposed disclosure on them. b) PCI Kit Pettigrew - Appeal - Records indicate that he is still alive. The CID cannot ‘consider the releasing his identity unless/until he is contacted and agrees to the proposed disclosure. c) PCIs B. Howard Thorne and Ralph T. Trujillo — Release —- A good faith search of Bureau and public records has revealed no data allowing the PCIs to be further identified located, and advised of the proposed release. a) PCI Edmond Zufferey - Appeal —- It is unclear as to whether this name has already been released. If no release has occured, the CID cannot consider a release, until he is contacted and agrees to the proposed disclosure, or until a good faith search of Bureau and public records has revealed that there is no data allowing the him to be further identified located, and advised of the proposed release. Tab 3) PSI Sylverio Hernandez - Appeal - Unless a determination regarding this source would more appropriately be made by the NSD, the CID recommends an appeal inasmuch as the source provided long-term, albeit sporadic, assistance in highly sensitive areas; was just closed in 1985, and, apparently, is still alive but has not yet been contacted to ascertain the ‘y impact of disclosure on him. aie ¥ Rae Docld: 32319945 Page &