Originator: FBI
From: SAC, CG
To: DIRECTOR, FBI
Document date: 01/17/1964
Document type: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

## Page 1

JFK Assassination System

Identification Form

Agency Information

Date:

4/21/201

AGENCY: FBI

RECORD NUMBER :

124-10302-10034

RECORD SERIES: HQ

AGENCY FILE NUMBER :

29-31889-216

Document Information

ORIGINATOR: FBI

FROM: SAC, CG

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI

TITLE:

Released under the John F. Kennedy

Assassination Records Collection Act of

1992 (44 USC 2107 Note). Case#:NW|

54578 Date: 12.14-2022

DATE: 01/17/1964

PAGES:

6

SUBJECTS :

[Restricted|

DOCUMENT TYPE: PAPER, TEXTUAL DOCUMENT

CLASSIFICATION: Unclassified

RESTRICTIONS :

4

CURRENT STATUS:

Redact

DATE OF LAST REVIEW: 05/16/1998

OPENING CRITERIA: INDEFINITE

COMMENTS : INC LHM

v9.1

NW 64578 Docld:32310090 Page 1

55

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## Page 2

#D-36 (Rev. 12-13-56)

• D

FBI.

Date: 1/17/64

Transmit the following in .

(Type in plain text or code)

AIRTEL

Via

(Priority or Method of Mailing)

TO

: DIRECTOR, FBI (29-31889)

FROM

: SAC, CHICAGO (29-1999) (P)

SUBJECT: JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE, aka.;

ET AL

FRA; Etc.

• 00:

DETROIT

ORE

ENC

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

HERCIN IS UNCLASMIMIED

DATE /0-18-9L3Y S.Q8. MACISC

(JFK)

Enclosed for the Bureau, Detroit and Memphis are 4,

2 and, 2 copies respectively of a LHM containing a transcript

of a tape made by an Edwards pocket recorder worn by ROBERT

C. MEISSNER during his meeting with JOSEPH VERHELLE in Detroit

on 1/10/64•

The recorder apparently did not operate properly

as it varied in speed and also much of the conversation was

inaudible.

Detroit and Memphis should disseminate a copy of

the enclosed LHM to WILLIAM FRENCH and WALTER J. SHERIDAN

respectively.

For the information of Detroit and Memphis, Chicago

has obtained another Edwards pocket recorder from the Cleveland

Office which will be used in the event of future meetings

between MEISSNER and VERHELLE.

The original and 2 dub tapes are being forwarded by

separate cover to the Bureau with the request that the Bureau

attempt to bring out the inaudible portions of the tape on

Bureau equipment.

REC 7

Bureau

2

(Encls:, 4)

2

- Detroit (29-1432) (Encls. 2) A-102

29-3/557246

- Memphis (72-43) (Encls. 2)

# JAN, R2 1964

1

- Chicago Lic kff// Criminal Division

1 GrUBAR

0-6d.

-(8)

196 tention: Mr. Walter J. Sheritan

297

6/23/bil

Approved:

Sent

M

Pet

€ so, in Special Ant Charge Spet Kel togst - Relaine a destroye

NW 64578 Docld:32310090 Page 2

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## Page 3

• 0

In Reply, Please Refer to

File No.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

Chicago,

Illinois

January

17, 1964

JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE;

ET AL. .

The following is the transcription of a tape made

by an Edwards binaural pocket tape recorder worn by Robert

C. Meissner during his meeting with Joseph Verhelle in Detroit,

Michigan, on January 10, 1964:

"This is Special Agent William F. Hood, Federal

Bureau of Investigation, Chicago, Illinois. I have just

installed a tape recording device on the person of Mr. Robert

c. Weissner at his residence in Hinsdale,

Illinois, and this

date January 10, 1964, at approximately 6:30 A.M.

Long inaudible conversation

• . that $200,000 a year is a hell of a lot of money to pay

out for

(V) I have an attorney who is probably the best attorney in town.

(V) I sent him a letter

Inaudible conversation

(M) That's a wonderful bank

ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED

MERCISES UNCLASSIFIED

DATE L0-18-9415p.8. BAC/MSK

(JFK)

Did they do a favor for somebody or

Long inaudible conversation

(V) It can only happen in Detroit

More inaudible conversation

something

I don't have that kind of money

More inaudible conversation

NW 64578 Docld:32310090 Page 3

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## Page 4

JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE;

ET AL

(M) •

. Do they have that kind of money •

(V) . . They don't have that kind of money .

Inaudible

(M) As a director you're liable

Inaudible

(M) In other words by giving them this letter

(M) You're putting them on notice

(V) We're putting them on notice

Inaudible

(M) I just wondered . . • you know if

(V) ..

Sully Sherone our attorney,

he

told me that he had seen Jimmy

of course they were

on this negotiation and he is the one who told me

about .

.•that they're moving down to Chattanooga and

from the work we've done

in that state, knowing that state

•I don't see how he's gonna get a

fix in there.

just don't know. This is the toughest one he's ever had.

- Inaudible

(V)

(V)

• Jimmy's head attorney

• That's the fellow from town here.

(M) Oh, he's from Detroit .

Inaudible

(V)

• • and he had just come back .

• this was before they got

the move. they're all scared to death

Inaudible

-2 -

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## Page 5

JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE;

ET AL

(M) Well, I'm not sure that that isn't actually gonna be the route

cause.. • working as we did.. • that's a practical state. •

and on

the other hand I've never

seen, you know you talk about

clannishness up in New Hampshire or the clannishness out on

say North Shore in Chicago.

Those people are all related to

each other and unless you're in, you're out.

Now that would

be true. they wouldn't like Jimmy but they're not gonna like

Bobby either.

(M) One thing that concerns me though is when we talked in Washington

- and talked about the possibility of Chicago and so on ..•

(M) I can't see how it's gonna do one darn bit of good to have the

fix in Chicago.

If he gets convicted in Tennessee, because

from Tennessee it comes to Chicago and with a recent felon,

he's had it. No matter how much your Judge might help ...

because under those circumstances

... it's just too soon..

Inaudible

(M) •

•At least we can keep track of it in Chicago because

we'll be in a position to help... apparently they're just

not sure that the one down South is right on the line . . .

Inaudible

(V) I don't think it's helped him a lot to get it moved.

(M) Well; I think as a matter of fact it's probably hurt because . .

little town ..•

(M) Sort of a home town thing where everybody knows everybody and

there is certainly no industry there compared to Nashville • •

law of averages get friendlier . ..

Inaudible

(M)

... and anybody that's on the bench down there is gonna listen .

which is from that point of view a practical thing but it bothers

me cause he's gotta come out of Tennessee without a conviction

otherwise when he comes to Chicago . .•

-3 -

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## Page 6

JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE;

ET AL

Inaudible.

(M) I think that it could be done, I really do

•ah

•and it

can be done fast but . ah

if they're gonna move, they

gotta move and move fast.

• • true

..

(V) It can't be done by Jimmy, it's got to be done by somebody .

else that's in an entirely different industry, you as a banker

or somebody like myself as an engineer • . .

(M) I agree absolutely

•It better be somebody. • that can

• • other reason to be talking to these people

• have

nothing to do with the situation down in Chattanooga at all but

• . ah . . I think it can be done but it costs money.

(V) Like, any idea?

(M) Well, I would just guess, I would think that . . ah .

•to

delude the top guy would

cost a quarter of a million bucks.

Maybe even halt a million.

Campaign contributions I don't

think they're interested in. I think they'd be interested in

real money.

Maybe

•.. on a CoD basis, that way you know

somebody doesn't get paid before they get . . . ah

• cause

they work on the honor system down there anyway, they always

have. but that the only way

••.• the reason I know is that

even though we have this bankruptcy in .

.. all kinds of

qualified..

they're looking for cash

• you're in the country

or out of it, they don't care but that's it.

No hitches, no

problems.

Inaudible

(M) You think you can get them to come up with that money.

(M) Did you ever talk to Jimmy about this

-4-

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## Page 7

JAMES RIDDLE HOFFA;

DOMINICK EDWARD BARTONE;

ET AL

Inaudible

(M) You didn't tell him ah who .

(V) I didn't tell anything . • •

(M) As to who I am . ..

Inaudible ..

• . • that makes sense • . .

Inaudible •

Is that right

Well, I suppose so ...

Long inaudible conversation

The tape recorder was concealed on Meissner's person

by Special Agent William F. Hood prior to Meissner flying to

Detroit and was removed immediately upon his return to O 'Hare

International Airport where he was met by Special Agents William.

F. Hood and Gale T. Johnson at approximately 2:40 P.M., CST,

Upon removal of the recorder, it was noted

that the supply reel of the recorder had been completely emptied.

The prefix (M), for Meissner, and (V), for Verhelle,

were used to identify the person speaking wherever identification

was possible.

This document contains neither recommendations nor

conclusions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

It is the

property of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and is loaned to

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

outside your agency.

- 5 -

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