18 December 1975 NEMORANDUH FOR: ocofss/os ATTENTION : [Eris Hale] SUBJECT 3 Gordon Michael Dwane Novel REFERENCE © : HH+27696, 10 December 1975 1. I have reviewed the allegations ‘in reference that the British, either British military or British intelligence (other- wise not further specified), have cutfitted a converted World War II Liberty ship as a fioating display case for British military hardware. I have further checked out the bizarré story in paragraphs two and three of reference concerning use of the British ship _by MI-6. . a aa 2. This office has absolutely no information to substantiate the story told in reference and Africa Division also has no owed corroborating information. 3. In short, I consider the story developed in paragraphs . two and three of reference highly suspect since I do not believe the British would be able to mount such an operation without it coming to the attention of this office. C/EUR/BC
13-00000 C. 16M th 1976 © - ce: Chief/DCD SUBJECT: Gordon Novel 1. fe- . Peter Houck] resident officer for DCD in New Orleans, a telephoned to say that additional problems regarding Gordon Novel " had arisen and/Mr. Houclg§requested that I call the Assistant U.S. : Attorney, Mr. Al Winters, telephone No. (AC 504) 589-2921. On 16 March I called Mr. Winters and he told me that Novel had posted _ $40,000 bond and had been charged with possession of a destructive device. However, as they investigated the case there seemed to be more evidence of a conspiracy with other business associates of Gordon Novel, particularly with regard to acquisition of fairly sizable parcels __ of land in downtown New Orleans including land in the French Quarter. > Mr. Winters indicated that his office was beginning to collect evidence of suspicious fires which had occurred on some of this.property. Mr. Winters estimated that the earliest trial date for Gordon Novel would be late May or early June. 2. Mr. Winters asked that{ivr. Houch not discuss the case with .- Gordon Novel or any of his attorneys. Obviously, Mr. Winters is concerned that such discussions could lead to "Jencks material” and I assured him-that it was the Agency position that we did not want(Mr, Houck}talking to any of the defendants or their counsel unless ¢ vepresentative of the U.S. Attorney! s Office was present. 3. It would. appear at this time that Gordon Novel may subpoena oes Peter Houckjas a witness at which time r. Houcyfcan deny the Agency's approval of Novel's proposal "Project Morningstar " A second possibility is that CIA would have to provide a witness from the Office of Personnel to show that Mr. Novel was never employed by CIA, | 4, On March 16, I called[Mr. HouclJand explained to him Mr, Winters! . request that he not talk to any lawyers or defendants and(Mr. Houckjreadily | agreed to comply with this request and said that he would immediately call Mr. Winters if any attempts were made to interview him. > ohn K. Gr. ciate General Counsel —
Chief, D&D 1 Augist 197% Attn: erling ‘Chief, Los Angeles Fleld Office Movie on CIA and Watergate KOSS W/E2S FS 1. Allen F. Sandler) President of Sandie apes and Films, _ Hollywood, has been approached by Gordon Rove]A of Dall as (not further identified) who is segking a company\ o do the filming for @ documentary-type movie on the topic of " Fas instigator of the Watergate breakin.” Novell Qlaims to/be * represér ng, or to | at least have the support of; Jamex Colg6n and Nosh Dietrith:47 Novell claimed to have the necessarp\ffaancial backing for the 485270 project and is now searching for a goéd documentary film producer , . (which is what led him to Sandler). 2. Novell's intention is to/produce ay expose-type ‘documentary which shows the CIA as the instigator of the Watergate caper. The only other nazes he dropped weyé those of Jamek Garrison (New Orleans District Attorney) and Davin Wynn (not further WNentified). He claimed to be getting substagtive assistance and cooperation from the latter two. 3. Sandler offered Jo pursue the offer if we destred.. We made no effort to encourége him, but thanked him for the\information. NS RAYMOND G. DURHAM RDBeske /mb File: G3/Sandler Tapes and Filns E2 IMPDET CL BY 010650 “CONRDENTAL
13-00000 SE CR ET Sthi7@X JUN 75 STAFF CITE DCD/YASHINGTON 352 TOs Depew YORK INFO U o/L05 ANGELES FROM DCD/WASHINGION CRYAN 5S 2} SUBUECT: GORDON NOVEL, LISTER LINe CALLER Sled &5 S ‘sapeneeeennce tt REF $ DCD/NEW YORK 2954, 25 JUNE 1975 i. & SOURCE OF THE DCD/LOS ANGLES AMFFICE WAS APPROACHED BY ONE GORDON NOVEL OF DALLAS IN JULY. ISMMMIOVEL YAS SEEXING A FILM COMPANY 70 DO THE FILMING FOR A DOCUMENTARYATYP® MOVIE O8 THE TOPI OF THE CIA AS IMSTIGATOR OF THE WATNGSATE BREAK IN". NOVEL CLAIMED TO BE REPRESENTING OR AT LEAST 10 YAVE TRE BACKING OF JanES COLSON AND. woad DIETRICH. 7 | “te Ze foveL also DROPPED THE NAMES OF JAMES GARRISON OF NEW ORLEANS AWD DAVIN WYNN CNOT FURTHER/IDENTIF IED), SQOVEL CLAIMED TO BE GETTING SUBSTANTIVE ASSISTANCE AND COOPERAINON FROM THESE INDIVIDUALS. 3. WE HSVE NO FURTHEQV INFORMATION IN DOD/SAMADSUAATERS FILES - ON GORDON NOVEL. WE HOPE THAT THIS MESSAGE WILK AT LEAST PROVIDE . SOME BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON NOVEL IN THE OFF HANCE THAT HE SHOULD CALL YOUR OFF YE AGAIN, -4. FILE: HH-2731. £2 IMPDET CL BY 618877 SECRET.