</s>104-10428-10180 Executive Recipary C.A. HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM 1.8-3368/ 2h July 1968 LAL REVIEW PROMP LEASE IN FULL 1998 2h. July 1968 JEK ACT The Honorable Richard B. Russell, Chairman JFK ACT Counties on Armed Services United States Senate Washington, D.C. RELEASE My dear Mr. Chairman: I have been receiving a spate of letters resulting in From the television appearance of a so-called condominium, Hort Salh on the Herr Griffin show of 8 July. Interviewed on that program, Sahil said ridiculous allegations against the Agency, some of which appear on page 5 of the attached memorandum. This papar is of which appeared on page 6 of the Attached Memorandum. This paper is what Garrison has been saying with a rather good agency and of the assassination of President Kennedy. I write this letter, because I am concerned that you may receive inquiries from sensational colleagues as a result of this short Sahl appearance. I want you to be informed and thereby prepared to deal with any such questions. Respectfully, (Clifford) Richard Helms Richard Helms Director Attachment - 1 "Wilm Garrison and the CIA" Identical letter with attachment set to Congressman Rivers. Riflems/ed - 2/1/68 Distribution: Org- org-attressee 1 - w/o-attr. Hir. Maury 1 - W/o.git. Mr. Rocca 1 - ER- K-2.3

**John F. Kennedy Assassination Records**

* **Richard Helms Letter**: A letter from Richard Helms to Senator Richard B. Russell Jr., dated July 26, 1968, informing him of a potential backlash against the CIA due to sensationalized claims made by New Orleans District Attorney Jim Garrison.
* **Jim Garrison and the CIA**: Garrison asserts that his office has established "liaison" with a "foreign intelligence agency" that had "penetrated the forces involved in the assassination of President Kennedy." This claim is based on an article in the July 12, 1968 New York Times.
* **Garrison's Investigation**: Garrison's investigation into the JFK assassination has moved through three phases:
	1. Initially, he focused on Lee Harvey Oswald and Clay Shaw, alleging that they were connected to the CIA.
	2. Mid-1967 saw Garrison's case against Shaw being thoroughly examined and shattered by others.
	3. Phase three began in late 1967, with Garrison implicating the CIA directly in the assassination, claiming they knew about the plot beforehand and suppressed information.
* **Garrison's Allegations**: Despite a lack of evidence, Garrison has made several allegations against the CIA:
	+ Lee Harvey Oswald and Jack Ruby were CIA agents.
	+ The CIA suppressed reports and documents that implicated them in the assassination.
	+ Oswald was accompanied by a CIA agent during his trip to Mexico City.
	+ The CIA secretly paid for a June 1967 NBC Special telecast critical of Garrison.
* **Mort Sahl Quotes**: Mort Sahl, a comedian and supporter of Garrison, has made several sensationalized claims on TV shows:
	+ The CIA created the assassination tableau beforehand.
	+ The CIA is involved in the deaths of Senator Robert Kennedy and Martin Luther King.
	+ The FBI's investigation into the King case was influenced by the CIA.

**Key Individuals**

* **Richard Helms**: Director of Central Intelligence
* **Jim Garrison**: New Orleans District Attorney
* **Mort Sahl**: Comedian and supporter of Jim Garrison
* **Lee Harvey Oswald**: Accused assassin of President Kennedy
* **Clay Shaw**: Alleged co-conspirator in the JFK assassination

**Dates and Locations**

* July 26, 1968: Richard Helms writes to Senator Richard B. Russell Jr.
* July 12, 1968: Article in the New York Times about Jim Garrison's investigation
* February 1967: Phase one of Garrison's investigation begins
* Mid-1967: Phase two of Garrison's investigation begins
* Late 1967: Phase three of Garrison's investigation begins
* June 30, 1968: Mort Sahl makes claims on the Barry Gray Show

RFK Declassified Files

00429274_letter_mort_sahl_appearan_104-10189-10220.pdf

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