</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

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into Martin Luther King Jr., the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and associated figures such as Stanley Levison, focusing on potential communist ties and surveillance activities. Alan G. Sentinella, a retired FBI special agent, testified before the Senate Select Committee (SSC) in 1975 about telephone surveillance of King’s residence and SCLC headquarters, which was discontinued after his assassination in 1968 due to lack of authorization for continuation at the new location. Sentinella noted no evidence of Communist Party connections but acknowledged contacts with figures like Bayard Rustin, Harry Wachtel, and Hunter Pitts O’Dell who had past or present CP affiliations. The testimony included discussions about FBI policies on surreptitious entries, surveillance procedures requiring prior approval, and references to COINTELPRO as a program potentially involving field offices. Other documents reference the FBI’s involvement in monitoring SCLC and SNCC for communist influence, internal procedures for handling electronic surveillance, and disputes over information sharing between agencies like the CIA. The Black Panther Party is also mentioned in context of FBI surveillance and COINTELPRO operations, with details on their founding, activities, and conflicts with law enforcement.  

Key People  
- Alan G. Sentinella: Retired FBI special agent who testified about investigations into MLK, SCLC, and Levison.  
- Charles Harding: Former FBI supervisor who provided information to Sentinella about surveillance discontinuation.  
- Richard Hamilton: Agent who took over cases after Sentinne’s departure.  
- Alden Miller: Atlanta Field Office agent involved in surveillance installations.  
- Bayard Rustin, Harry Wachtel, Hunter Pitts O’Dell: Individuals with Communist Party affiliations linked to King and SCLC.  
- J. Edgar Hoover: FBI Director who emphasized adherence to inter-agency protocols.  
- Richard Helms: CIA Director who instructed agents to investigate sources of information shared with Todorovovich.  
- Michael Todorovovich: CIA representative in Denver involved in Riha’s case.  
- Dr. Joseph Smiley: University president associated with Riha’s disappearance inquiry.  
- James McKevitt: Denver District Attorney leading investigation into Riha’s case.  
- Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Leroy Eldridge Cleaver: Founders and leaders of the Black Panther Party.  

Key Locations  
- Atlanta, Georgia: Site of FBI surveillance operations on SCLC and MLK.  
- Washington, D.C.: Federal agencies, Senate Select Committee offices, and DOJ headquarters.  
- Oakland, California: Headquarters of the Black Panther Party and site of key events.  
- Sacramento, California: Location of 1967 legislative protest by Panthers.  
- Langley, Virginia: CIA headquarters referenced in intelligence program discussions.  

Key Events  
- FBI surveillance of MLK’s residence and SCLC headquarters (discontinued post-assassination).  
- Senate Select Committee inquiries into COINTELPRO operations targeting the Black Panther Party.  
- Disputes over information sharing between FBI and CIA, including Riha’s case.  
- Founding of the Black Panther Party in 1966 and its militant activities against police brutality.  
- 1967 incident where Panthers stormed Sacramento legislature with firearms.  
- FBI documentation of Black Panther tactics, publications, and community programs.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): Conducted surveillance on MLK, SCLC, and the Black Panther Party.  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA): Involved in intelligence program discussions and information disputes with FBI.  
- Senate Select Committee to Study Governmental Operations with Respect to Intelligence Activities: Investigated COINTELPRO and FBI operations.  
- Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC): Monitored for potential communist ties by the FBI.  
- Black Panther Party: Focused on racial equality, armed resistance against police brutality, and community programs.  
- Special Service Staff (SSS): Mentioned in context of IRS intelligence operations.

Summary:  
The document contains multiple memos and correspondence related to FBI operations, congressional inquiries, and intelligence committee procedures. A memorandum details Henry B. Montague’s scheduled testimony before a Senate Select Committee on June 7, 1975, as a former Chief Postal Inspector. The FBI’s Assistant Chief Inspector, Ron J. Jackson, reported that Montague intended to testify without legal counsel. Montague was described as retired and recently returned from vacation. Another memo outlines Congressman Ronald V. Dellums’ request for information about FBI activities in Berkeley, California, including agent numbers, functional responsibilities, ethnic breakdowns, and interactions with local law enforcement agencies. The FBI responded that it does not conduct "political investigations" but provides training courses like SWAT tactics. A separate memorandum discusses procedures for determining eligibility of Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence Activities to access classified information, involving coordination with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and clearance processes. Additional content includes discussions on drafting a memorandum of understanding for investigative procedures between committees and intelligence agencies, security clearance issues for former CIA employee Stanley Rawson Sloan, and guidelines for conducting interviews with witnesses. A Senate Resolution (S.RES. 165) authorizes supplemental expenditures for the Senate Select Committee to investigate federal intelligence activities.  

Key People:  
- Henry B. Montague (former Chief Postal Inspector, scheduled to testify before a Senate Select Committee)  
- Ron J. Jackson (Assistant Chief Inspector, FBI)  
- Ronald V. Dellums (Congressman, 8th District of California)  
- Don Jones (Senior Resident Agent, FBI, Berkeley office)  
- Clarence M. Kelley (FBI Director)  
- Senator Church (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities)  
- Congressman Nedzi (House Select Committee Chair)  
- Mr. Callahan (recipient of memos)  
- Mr. Adams (involved in coordination efforts)  
- Stanley Rawson Sloan (former CIA employee with clearance issues)  

Key Locations:  
- San Francisco, California (FBI offices)  
- Berkeley, California (FBI field office and local law enforcement interactions)  
- Washington, D.C. (Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities, FBI facilities, CIA headquarters)  

Key Events:  
- Henry B. Montague’s scheduled testimony before the Senate Select Committee (June 7, 1975).  
- Congressman Ronald V. Dellums’ inquiry into FBI operations in Berkeley, California, including agent numbers, roles, and interactions with local agencies.  
- FBI response to Dellums’ request, clarifying its non-involvement in "political investigations" and detailing training programs like SWAT.  
- Development of a Memorandum of Understanding for clearance procedures for Senate and House Select Committees on Intelligence Activities.  
- Review of security clearance processes for staff members, including coordination with FBI and CIA.  
- Senate Resolution S.RES. 165 authorizing funds for an inquiry into federal intelligence activities.  
- Development of guidelines for conducting interviews with witnesses, including handling sensitive information and agency representation.  

Key Organizations:  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- United States Postal Service  
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)  
- Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Activities  
- House Select Committee on Intelligence Activities

JFK Declassified Files

124-10274-10357_multirif.pdf

Document Summary

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