</s>File #: 682-116898 Serial Scope: 231 THRELL 2385 236 THReLL 1ST NR 237 1ST NR 283, 239 1STNR 283,239 2241,242 2244,245 8447 8449, 1ST NC.249 - 253 THReL 254 255 THReUL 260 262 THReEL 265 NW 88614 Docd: 3289606 Page 1

The document contains testimony by Alan G. Sentinella, a retired FBI Special Agent, regarding his involvement in surveillance of Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and Stanley Levison during his FBI tenure. He described telephone surveillance of King’s residence and SCLC headquarters, noting that coverage ceased after King’s assassination due to lack of authorization for the new address. Sentinella also addressed COINTELPRO, stating he did not recall reports on these cases being labeled under that program. The testimony included details about surveillance procedures, interactions with FBI officials like Paul Daly and Charles Harding, and administrative aspects of the Senate Select Committee (SSC) hearing.  

Key People:  
- Alan G. Sentinella (retired FBI Special Agent)  
- Lester B. Seidel (SSC Staff Member)  
- Senator Robert Morgan (North Carolina)  
- John Bailey (Staff Assistant Minority Counsel)  
- Paul Daly (FBI Legal Counsel Division)  
- Charles Harding (former FBI Supervisor)  

Key Locations:  
- Carol Arms Hotel (Room 607, Atlanta, Georgia)  
- FBI Headquarters (Atlanta Office)  
- Bureau Headquarters (General location for administrative approvals)  

Key Events:  
- Testimony by Alan G. Sentinella before the Senate Select Committee on May 21, 1975  
- Discontinuation of telephone surveillance on King’s residence after his assassination due to lack of authorization for the new address  
- Discussion of COINTELPRO program and its potential involvement in FBI investigations  
- Review of administrative procedures for witness testimony and document handling  

Key Organizations:  
- Senate Select Committee (SSC)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) [implied through references to intelligence activities]  

The document details an interview with a retired FBI Special Agent regarding surveillance activities related to Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and Stanley Levison during the 1960s. The agent discussed telephone surveillance of King’s residence and SCLC headquarters, noting that coverage ceased shortly after King’s assassination in 1968. He clarified that surveillance was not authorized for King’s home post-assassination but continued on other individuals linked to SCLC or Levison. The agent mentioned the FBI’s investigation into potential communist ties (CP connections) among King, Levison, and others like Hunter Pitts O’Dell, Bayard Rustin, and Harry Wachtel. He described technical surveillance methods, including the use of agents with technical expertise to install monitoring equipment, though he stated no direct evidence of CP affiliations was found. The agent recalled administrative transfers within the FBI, interactions with former colleagues like Charles Harding, and discussions about Bureau policies on electronic surveillance.  

Key People:  
- Martin Luther King Jr. (subject of surveillance)  
- Stanley Levison (linked to SCLC and investigated for potential CP connections)  
- Charles Harding (former FBI agent consulted during the interview)  
- Alden Miller (Atlanta FBI agent involved in technical surveillance)  
- Henry Rouse (supervisory agent prior to Charles Harding)  

Key Locations:  
- Atlanta, Georgia (FBI field office and SCLC headquarters)  
- Birmingham, Alabama (mentioned in context of Klan-related investigations)  

Key Events:  
- Telephone surveillance of King’s residence and SCLC operations before and after his assassination  
- FBI investigation into potential communist influence within SCLC and associated figures  
- Administrative transfers and supervision within the FBI’s Atlanta office  
- Discussions about Bureau policies on electronic surveillance techniques  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Senate Select Committee (SSC)  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)  

The document contains a mix of fragmented texts related to U.S. government intelligence operations, primarily focusing on COINTELPRO activities targeting the Black Panther Party (BPP) in the 1960s-70s. It includes discussions between FBI personnel and Senate Select Committee (SSC) staff regarding the Bureau's investigation of the BPP, including requests for documents such as quarterly status letters, field office reports, and records of counterintelligence techniques. Specific references include interactions with Mr. Lester Seidel, a SSC staffer, who sought information on COINTELPRO operations in San Francisco and requested interviews with FBI agents. The text also mentions the Bureau's 1971 monograph on the BPP and its distribution to Seidel. Additionally, there are administrative notes about document classification, declassification processes, and references to other intelligence-related inquiries, including historical CIA activities in Guatemala (1954) and British intelligence systems.  

Key People:  
- Lester Seidel (SSC staffer seeking information on COINTELPRO operations)  
- Mr. W. R. Wannall (FBI personnel involved in document exchanges)  
- Mr. J. B. Adams (Legal Counsel to the FBI)  
- Robert E. DeBhardt, Harry Morgan, David E. Todd, Charles Bates (FBI personnel mentioned for potential interviews)  
- John Richards (individual associated with COINTELPRo operations)  

Key Locations:  
- San Francisco (center of BPP investigation and COINTELPRO activities)  
- Washington, D.C. (FBI headquarters and Senate Select Committee offices)  
- Los Angeles, Oakland (BPP chapters mentioned in context of investigations)  

Key Events:  
- FBI's COINTELPRO program targeting the Black Panther Party, including wiretaps and counterintelligence operations  
- Senate Select Committee (SSC) requests for documents related to BPP investigations and COINTELPRO activities  
- Bureau's 1971 monograph on the BPP and its distribution to SSC staff  
- Discussions about declassification of historical intelligence records and legal authority for covert actions  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Senate Select Committee (SSC) to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Office of the General Counsel (OGC), FBI  
- Inspector General's Office (FBI)  

The document contains a series of requests for information regarding the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) operations, including details on its Intelligence Gathering and Retrieval System (IGRS), participation in Organized Crime Strike Forces, Special Service Staff (SSS), audit divisions, and legal procedures. It includes questions about file maintenance, enforcement actions, cross-referencing systems, data storage, and interactions with other federal agencies. Additionally, it references internal IRS reviews, personnel reassignments, and legal counsel memos related to Senate Committee on Intelligence Activities inquiries. The text also mentions security checks for committee offices and disputes over employee interviews involving the Bureau of Investigation (BOI) and the Department of Justice.  

Key People:  
- William A. Kolar (convened IGRS study group)  
- Commissioner Alexander (IRS commissioner)  
- Senator Joseph Montoya (requested information on IRS press release)  
- Legal Counsel (advised on Senate Committee inquiries)  
- Special Agent Dally, Special Agent Daly, Michael Epstein, K. William O'Connor, James A. Wilderz  

Key Locations:  
- Capitol Police Department (security checks for committee offices)  
- Russell Senate Office Building (Senator Frank Church's office)  
- Rayburn Building (Congressman Robert Giambanco's office)  
- Longworth House Office Building (Congressman Robert Kasten's office)  

Key Events:  
- Internal IRS review of IGRS operations (1973–1975)  
- Security checks for Senate and House Committee offices (June 1975)  
- Disputes over employee interviews involving BOI and Department of Justice personnel  
- Legal disputes regarding access to IRS records by federal agencies  

Key Organizations:  
- Internal Revenue Service (IRS)  
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities (SSC)  
- House Select Committee on Intelligence Activities (HSC)  
- Capitol Police Department  
- Bureau of Investigation (BOI)  
- Special Service Staff (SSS)  

The document contains multiple entries from 1975 involving federal agencies and congressional inquiries. A memorandum details former Chief Postal Inspector Henry B. Montague’s scheduled testimony before a Senate Select Committee on June 7, 1975. FBI Assistant Chief Inspector Ron J. Jackson reported that Montague informed him of his appearance before the Commission but did not specify details. Montague, retired and recently returned from vacation in the Mediterranean, decided to testify without personal counsel. The document also notes Jackson’s lack of knowledge about agreements between the Bureau and Postal Service that Montague might disclose.  

A separate letter from Congressman Ronald V. Delums (8th District, California) requests information on FBI operations in Berkeley, including agent numbers, functional responsibilities, ethnic breakdowns, and interactions with local law enforcement. The FBI responded stating it does not conduct "political investigations" but handles criminal, drug, and security matters. It confirmed 19 agents were assigned to the Berkeley Resident Agency, all white males, and outlined their roles in investigations.  

A Memorandum of Understanding outlines procedures for determining eligibility of Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence Activities staff to access classified information. The FBI will conduct background checks at the request of committee chairmen, with final determinations made by the respective chairs. The DCI may provide observations on eligibility, but the committee chairman retains authority.  

Key People:  
- Henry B. Montague: Former Chief Postal Inspector testifying before a Senate Select Committee.  
- Ron J. Jackson: FBI Assistant Chief Inspector involved in Montague’s case.  
- Ronald V. Delums: Congressman requesting information on FBI operations in Berkeley, California.  
- Clarence M. Kelley: FBI Director responding to Delums’ inquiry.  
- James B. Adams: FBI Assistant Director referenced in correspondence.  

Key Locations:  
- San Francisco Office (FBI)  
- Berkeley, California (FBI Resident Agency)  
- Washington, D.C. (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities)

Summary:  
The document details coordination between U.S. government agencies (CIA, FBI) and congressional intelligence committees regarding investigative procedures, security clearances, and information sharing protocols. It outlines discussions on establishing memoranda of understanding to facilitate access to classified materials for intelligence committees, including background checks for committee staff and guidelines for interviewing former agency personnel. References include interactions with Senator Church and Congressman Nedzi, proposals for inter-agency agreements, and considerations for balancing investigative needs with security risks. The text also addresses procedural frameworks for handling witness interviews, confidentiality measures, and the management of sensitive information during investigations. Specific mentions include planned testimony by Henry B. Montague before the Senate Select Committee on June 7, 1975, FBI responses to inquiries about operations in Berkeley, California, and discussions involving former SA Robert Nichols.  

Key People:  
- Senator Church (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities)  
- Congressman Nedzi (House Select Committee chair)  
- Mr. Miller (staff director for Senate Committee)  
- Mr. Mintz (committee staff member)  
- Mr. J. B. Adams (involved in procedural coordination)  
- Former SA Robert Nichols (subject of interview discussions)  

Key Locations:  
- Washington, D.C. (sites of meetings and interviews)  
- CIA and FBI offices (involved in clearance and investigative procedures)  

Key Events:  
- Planning for Henry B. Montague’s testimony before the Senate Select Committee on June 7, 1975  
- FBI response to Congressman Delums’ inquiry about operations in Berkeley, California  
- Development of a Memorandum of Understanding for classified information access by intelligence committees  
- Discussions on background checks, witness interviews, and confidentiality agreements  

Key Organizations:  
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities  
- House Select Committee on Intelligence Activities  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Office of Legal Analysis (involved in procedural guidelines)

JFK Declassified Files

124-10273-10016_multirif.pdf

Document Summary

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