Agency: FBI
Originator: FBI
From: FAGAN, JOHN L.
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 1/3/64
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

Released

under the John E Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Note) 2

DATE: 11-14-2017

IDENTIFICATION FORM

SLATES

AGENCY INFORMATION

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD_NUMBER: 124-10184-10257

RECORD SERIES: HO

AGENCY FILE_NUMBER: CR 100-236194-258

DOCUMENT INFORMATION

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM:

FAGAN, JOHN L.

TO:

DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

DATE: 01/03/1964

PAGES: 32

SUBJECT: LHO, 11/22-24/63, ARREST, ATTORNEY

DOCUMENT TYPE:

ORIGINAL

CLASSIFICATION:

REVIEW DATE:

STATUS

PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

Secret

10/02/1997

Redact

NEW

CLASSIFICATION:

UPDATE DATE:

02/12/2001

COMMENTS:

RESTRICTIONS:

Consultation

JFK Act 6 (1)(B)

JFK Act 6 (4)

INC RESP, REFERRED TO IRS

DocId: 32176262 Page 1

---

## Page 2

" Released urder the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records CoYlection Act of 4992 (44 USC 2107

11+14-2017

CON

DECLASSIT

s. 2/7/

Tolsch

Belmont

Mohr -

Casper

Collahon

Conrad

*DeLonch

Evans -

'Gale

Rosen

Sullivan

Tavel

Trotter ....

'Tale. Room -

"Holmes -

Gandy

MAIL ROOM

DocId: 32176262

Page 2

ALL INTE

ON ANITAIT

HEREIN IS

IOLARRIDLED

EXCEPT WI

N SHOWE

SAC, New Yor (100-91900)6

Director, FBI (100-236194) - 258

REC- 138

JOHN JACOB ABI

INTERNAL SECURITY

1/17/64

I-Mr. Haack

1-Mr . Jones

Berep Special Agent John I. Fagan dated 1/3/64

at lew fork.

It is noted that the FD-305 subnitted with cerep

indicates the report is being classified "Confidential"

but that certain information furnished by IF 1491-3*

should be classifled "Secret." Since the report contains

information attributed to IT 1191-S* under the symbol T-6,

the report should have been classified "Secrot" rather than

"Confidential" as all reports on Security Indes subjects

are disseminated to the Department of Justice.

Additionally, on page 5 of rerep, the information

received from T-6 is set forth. It is belleved that this

information requires additional clarification, 1f available.

The source of the contributions received by Forer should be

set forth if known since it is ambiguous as to whether this

money represents "contributions" or

actually money

received in payment of logal fees.

X. И

Abt recently received nationwide publicity when

Loe Harvey Oswald publicly stated following his arrest that

he wanted Abt as his attorney. The report makes no mention

of this fact, and it is believed it should be set forth in

the report.

Dissemination of the report is being held in

abeyance

and 1t

is desired you make appropriate changes

and submit sano

to the bure 1i|59

DAG

CLASS. & BXT

Sple blipt

REASON-FCIM

24.214

DATE OF REVIH

WPJ: erc:skwN

(5)

lied

east

ACERCPRIATE AGE

-JAN 21 1964

LANT CON ENTIC

ADVI!

5-10

TELFTYPE UNIT

---

## Page 3

*Released under the Jöhn F .,Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Hotete (ReDATOs, 11-14-2017

1...

1/9

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SECREE

REPORTING OFFICE

NEW YORK

TITLE OF CASE

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

NEW YORK

DATE

1/3/64

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

7/8/63 - 12/20/63

REPORT MADE BY

JOHN I. FAGAN

JOHN JACOB

ABT aKa

CHARACTER OF CASE

TYPED BY

vng

CONFDENTIAT

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED

EXCEPT WHERE SHOWN

OTHERWISE

IS - c Y/30

CLASS.

EXT

BY

REASON-FATMT

DATE OF RIVIE

REFERENCE

B

ADMINISTRATIVE

Report of SA JOHN L. FAGAN dated 7/3/63 at NY.

-p* -

CLASSIFIED BY 5668 SID/GCL

DECLASSIFY ON: 25X. (X6)

J42) 24197

SA JOHN I. FAGAN made, the, call to ABT's office

nder the guise of a legal contáct.

ENCIES

FICES

CUTING

SA WARREN H. DUNN observed ABT on 6/26/63.

SAS F.

PRIATE

8

gobserved ABT on

10/6/63.

LAUGHLIN, JR. and JAMES F. 0' CONNELL

AND

ADVISED

SLIP

DA

0/17/03,

indicated on that

NY 554-5* advised that JOHN ABT

that he might be available on 6/20/63/

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

AO SPEGCHAAGENT

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

103-02341914

- 25 JEC 39

Bureau (100-236194) (RM)

3 - New

York, (100-5496)

Set toNy

311194

- 11 JAN

6 1964

OEK

AGENCY.

REQUEST RECD.

DATE FWD.

HOW FWD.

BY..

DISSEMINATION RECORD, OF ATTACHED REPORT

Hite

Coa

3/6/642-16-69

RS/8

7-15-68

RS

NOTATIONS

Cost

CONDOENTIAL

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

16--76324-1

SECRET

DocId: 32176262 Page 3

---

## Page 4

'Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Hote)..

DATE: 11-14-2017

SECRET

NY 100-54965

ADMINISTRATIVE CONT'D

LUNERENTIAL

to discuss points of law with an individual named KRYLOV

(probably BORIS S. KRYLOV), a Soviet national travelling

in the us as a member of an exchange group.

ran exone

NY 3903-S advised on 6/5/63 that there was

some conversation at CP Headquarters on that date as

to whether or not the CP should reconstruct a new

set of accounting books for possible introduction in

6 co chad

federal court. According to this informant, ABT was

understood to express the opinion that the books, 1f

subpoenaed sha se be released in their present condition

On 1273/63, JOHN"T "ABT" turned over to SAS

JOSEPH V. WATERS and ROBERT G. OFTEDAL six letters written

or to "the worker ID, which had been sent to the Party

In advising the NYO of the existence

of the letters. ABT stated he was acting on behalf of

ARNOLD JOHNSON,/his client.

The OSWALD letters sought

Party assistance in his activities, employment by "The

Worker"

, and a way of making contact with the Party.

Also turned over were copies of two letters of acknowledge-

ment written by JOHNSON and addressed to OSWALD.

-on 12/5/63, ABT, stating he represented the

Gus Hall - Benjamin J. DaviB, Defense Committee, furnished

to SA WATERS a letter written by OSWALD to that committee,

which forwarded specimens of photographic work which

OSWALD offered to do for the Committee, together with

a copy of a letter of acknowledgement written by JAMES

D. TORMEY, as Executive Secretary of the Committee.

INFORMANIS

Identity of Source

NY I-

BA 975-5

File Number Where Locatca

BA

134-14A-4102

08(4)

NY T-2

NY 694-5*

COVER PAGE

- B

SECRET

CON XENTIAL

DocId: 32176262 Page 4

---

## Page 5

' Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Hote)..

DATE: 11-14-2017

SECRET

NY 100-54965

INFORMANTS CONT'D

Identity/of Source

Y

NY

T-

3903-s

744) (4)

CONFIDENTIAL

File Number Where Located

134-9091A-71

NY T-4

CG 5824-5*

NY T-5

CSNY 1541-S

134-842-3152

-3185

-3229

-3305

-3348

NY T-6

WF 1491-S

NY T-7

Mrs. M. R. BURGESS,

Assistant

Treasurer,

Chase Manhattan Bank,

23rd Street

and

Park Avenue South,

NYC

NY T-8

NY 2002-S*/

NY T-9

PH

: 306-s

MY

T-10

PH 61-S

NY I-11

AL

218(4)

2882-5

NY T-12

NY

2766-5*

100-149065-194

das"

haracterization of

FRANCES CABOW

Characterization of

AARON LIBSON

COVER PAGE

SONGS NAR

DocId: 32176262

Page 5

---

## Page 6

Released

under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Aot of 1992 144 USC 2107

Hote)..

DATE: 11-14-2017

ECREL

NY 100-54965

INFORMANTS CONT'D

Identity of Source

NY

T-13

NY 384-S

_NY I-I4

NY

559-5*

NY

NY

T-15

2517-S

NY T-16

NY 646-5

LEAD

NEW YORK

CONCIDENTIAL

File Number Where Located

134-82-3178

-3277

-3258

134-2602A-818

134-70-1948

At New York, New York

Will follow and report ABT's activities in

connection with the CP.

1237.2

COVER PAGE

- D

-

CONX TAK

SECREN

DocId: 32176262

Pae 6

---

## Page 7

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Mote) pr 2 PATE: 111531-2017

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

SECRET

Copy to:

Report of:

Date:

Field Office File #:

Title:

JOHN L. FAGAN

1-3-64

100-54965

JOHN JACOB ABT

Office:

COMPRENTIAT

ADANNFORMATTE CONTAINED

HERETNUS (CLASSIFIED

INDRE SHOWN

OFFERWISE

New

York, New

York

Bureau File #:

100-236194

spbblApt

CLASS. & EXT

REASON-FCIM

DATE OF REVIEW

Character:

Synopsis:

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

JOHN ABT resides 444 Central Park

West and has law office at

• 320 Broadway,

In june indicated for ABT.

Most of $1,500 at CP Headquarters

He received

checks totalling approximately $2,000

from Gus Hall - Benjamin J. Davis Defense

Committee from May - October, 1963. (CP

records subpoenaed by Internal Revenue •

Service show payments of $8,000 to ABT -

Forer and Rein, during period April -

ugust, 1902. JOSEPH FORER indicate

ontributions

ABT and credited to CP account.

ABT

listed as payee of $1,000 check from

Royal W. France Memorial Fund. His retainer

from the Cp stated to be $100 per month.

ABT represented FRANCES GABOW and AARON

LIBSON at Subversive Activities Control

Board hearings in Philadelphia and argued

appeal of WILLIAM ALBERTSON and ROSCOE

311/94

sassilled b

CS RABGAT

DACHANI

(JFK)

ĐN 51/4245

FIED BY

5668 S40/GCL

• 70

SE

Proup

Excluded

downgrading and

from aUXprRor fATE AGENIES

declassiRication AND FIT.

BATETSI

ADVIS:

SING

SLIP(S)

DATE_ 5

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property

your agency; it and its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

Bhand is loaned to

CONFIDENTIAIT

DooId: 32176262 Page 7

---

## Page 8

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Hotel.

DATE: 11-74-2017

NY 100-54965

A characterization of the Gus Hall -

Benjamin J.. Davis Defense Committee

1s appended hereto.

On July 9, 1963, SA SHERMAN SCHOCHET, Intelli--

gence Unit, Internal Revenue Service (IRS), 245 West

Houston Street, New York, New York, made available

photostatic copies of the 1962 cash disbursement records

The records were produced by PHILIP BART,

agaizational

Secretary of the CP, USA, on June 27,

1903, in response to a summons issued by IRs in the

tax investigation of GUS HALL, General Secretary Of

the CP, USA. The following entries were noted:

Date

Payee

Amount

March 13, 1962

• JOHN ABT -

Forer and Rein

$1, 000.00.

March 20, 1962

March 30, 1962

April 12, 1962

JOHN ABT -

Forer and Rein

JOHN ABT -

Forer and

Rein

JOHN ABI -

Forer and

Rein

1, 000.00

1, 000.00

1,000.00

May 9, 1962

June 6, 1962

July 10, 1962

August 21, 1962

JOHN ABT -

1,000.00

Forer and Rein

JOHN ABT -

1,000.00

Forer and Rein

JOHN ABT -

1,000.00

Forer and Rein

JOHN ABT -

1,000.00

Forer and Rein

JOSEPH FORER 1s one of the attorneys who

has recently represented the CP,

before the united States Supreme Court.

CONFIBENTIAL

SECAET

CONXDENTIAL

-4-

DocId: 32176262

Page 8

---

## Page 9

Released under the John F.

Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Aot of 1992 (44 USC 2107

11-14-2017

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

REPORTING OFFICE

NEW YORK

TITLE OF CASE

OFFICE OF ORIGIN

NEW YORK

SECREN

DATE

1/3/64

REPORT MADE BY

JOHN L. FAGAN

CHARACTER OF CASE

INVESTIGATIVE PERIOD

7/8/63 - 12/20/63

TYPED BY

vmg

JOHN JACOB ABT aka

IS - C

CONAENTIAL

CASSIFILE

A CONTAIN

- SHOWER

REFERENCE

Report of SA JOHN I. FAGAN dated 7/3/63 at NY.

- p* -

ADMINISTRATIVE

SA JOHN L. FAGAN made the call to ABT's offIce

under the guise of a legal contact.

SA WARREN H. DUNN observed ABT on 6/26/63.

SAS F. J. MC LAUGHLIN, JR. and JAMES F. O'CONNELL

observed ABT on 10/6/63.

Indicated on 6/17/63, 554-St advised that JOHN ABT

that he might be available on 6/20/63 g

APPROVED

COPIES MADE:

SPER CHARGENT

DO NOT WRITE IN SPACES BELOW

Bureau (100-236194) (RM)

3 - New York (100-54905

3/T94 05 RMBISAT

JFK

DISSEMINATION RECORD OF ATTACHED REPORT

CLASS. & EXT

REASON-ICIM

DATa or a 4/37912

AGENCY_.

REQUEST RECD.

DATE FWD. ...

HOW FWD. ..

BY..

NOTATIONS

CLASSIFIED BY 5668 SL0/GCL

DECLASSIFY ON: 25X CX6)

JFK) 2/4/91

18-76324-1

markera:

"SECRE

INTING OFFICE

DocId: 32176262 Page 9

---

## Page 10

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 21077

Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

NY 100-54965

ADMINISTRATIVE CONT'D

CONFADENTIAL

to discuss points of law with an individual named KRYLOV

(probably BORIS S. KRYLOV), a Soviet national

travelling

in the USas a member of an exchange group l

NY 3903-S advised on 6/5/63 that there was

some conversation at CP Headquarters on that date as

to whether or not the CP should reconstruct a new

set of accounting books for possible introduction in

federal court. According to this informant, ABI was

understood to express the opinion that the books, if

sunpoenad, should be zeroata in ther present condition x 41

On 12/3/63, JOHN J. ABT turned over to SAS

JOSEPH V. WATERS and ROBERT G. OFTEDAL six letters written

by LEE HARVEY OSWALD, which had been sent to the Party

or to "The Worker"

In advising the NYO of the existence

of the letters, ABI stated he was acting on behalf of

ARNOLD JOHNSON, his client.

The OSWALD letters sought

Party assistance in his activities, employment by "The

Worker"

, and a way of making contact with the Party.

Also turned over were copies of two letters of acknowleäge-

ment written by JOHNSON and addressed to OSWALD.

On 12/5/63, ABT,

stating he represented the

to SA WATERS a letter

Gus Hall BenJamt I Dayten ereseATo to that committee,

which forwarded sperimens of photographic work which

OSWALD offered to do for the Committee, together with

a copy of a letter of acknowledgement written by JAMES

D. TORMEY, as Executive Secretary of the Committee.

INFORMANTS

Identity of Source

T-1

975-S

File Number Where Located

BA 134-14A-4102

NY

T'- 2

NY 694-5*

COVER PAGE

-B -

CONFIENTIAL

DooId: 32176262

Page 10

---

## Page 11

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Aot of 1992 (44 USC 2107

Hotel.

DATE: 11-14-2017

NY 100-54965

INFORMANTS CONT'D

Identity of Source

NY

T-3

3903-5

CONFAENTIAL

File Number Where Located

134-9091A-71

-98

-70

NY

T-4

CG 5824-S*

NY T-5

CSNY

1541-S

134-842-3152

-3185

-3229

-3305

-3348

NY T-6

WF 1491-5*

NY T-7

Mrs. M. R. BURGESS,

Assistant Treasurer,

Chase Manhattan Bank,

23rd Street and

Park Avenue South,

NYC

NY

2002-3m Su)

T-9

PH 306-S

T-10

PH 61-S

NY T-11

AL

2882-5

NY

T-12

NY

2760-5*

100-149065-194

Characterization of

FRANCES GABOW

Characterization of

AARON LIBSON

Characterization of

WILLIAM ALBERTSON

COVER PAGE

CONFI ENTIAL

DocId: 32176262

Page 11

---

## Page 12

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2107-

Hotel.

DATE: 11-14-2017

NY 100-54965

INFORMANTS CONT'D

Identity of Source

NY

T-13

NY 384-5

MY 559-54 7(8) (u:

559-S

NY T-15

NY

2517-S

NY T-16

NY 646-5

LEAD

NEW YORK

CONFIDENTIAL

File Number Where Located

134-82-3178

-3277

-3258

134-2602A-818

134-70-1948

At New Yols New York

Will follow and report ABT's activities in

connection with the oP.

COVER PAGE

-D

DocId: 32176262

Page 12

---

## Page 13

Released under the John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 (44 USC 2101

Hote).

DATE: 11-14-2017

I D-201 (Rèv. 3-3-58)

Copy to:

Report of:

Date:

Field Office File No.:

Title:

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

dONNEDENTIAL

ALL' INFONMATIONI CONTAINED

HEREIN

IS UNGLASSIFIED EXCEPT

WHERE

SHOWN OTHERWISE,

JOHN L. FAGAN

7/3/64

700-54965

JOHN JACOB ABT

Office:

New York, New York

Bureau File No.:

100-236194

Character:

Synopsis:

30)

Classifiad

Declan y

INTERNAL SECURITY - C

JOHN ABT resides 444 Central Park

in June indicated for ABr

He received

checks totalling approximately $2,000

rom Gus Hall - Benjamin J

omittee tom Mater Moser

recoras subpoenaed by Internal Revenue ~

service show payments of $8,000 to ABI -

Forer and Rein, during period April'

August, 1902.

JOSEPH FORER indicated

listed as payee

ABT représented FRANCES GABOW and AARON

IT LIBSON at Subversive Activities Contro1

M&/GAT

(JFK)

CONFERE!

Groupe

Exoluded from automatic

downgrading-and=

declasstfication

5668510/GCL

This document contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI.

its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency.

It is the property of the FBI and is loaned to your agency; it and

DooId: 32176262 Page 13

---