</s>6/13/68 PLAIN TEXT AIRTEL TO: DIRECTOR, FBI FROM: SAC, NEW YORK (44-26/0) SUBJECT: KINSALE Re New York airtel to the Bureau dated 6/7/68. For the New York airstel of Los Angeles, on 6/5/68, the Bureau advised that Senator ROBERT KENNEDY had received a number of threatening letters in the past and had not reported these threats. One of these letters, in Spanish, dated 11/15/67, from LUZETA COROVDA, 260 East Spanish,dated 11/16/67/67. from LUKETA COROVA, or Mrs. A. WATSON, was in substance as follows: She thanked KENNIEDY for an earlier letter that KENNEDYS had written to her. The referenced letter is not available and contents are unknown). She spoke on an organisation referred to as to the Order Rosa Cruz, Order of the Red Cross, San Jose, California and advised that this the Red Sox, San José, California, and advised the family of CORDOVA suggested that every whole Mrs. Kennedy family be interrogated and called except Mrs. ADELINA GRAHAM and a Mr. CLAYSEN. She suggested that KENNIDY wrote to Silent Unity, Lee's Summit of Mississippi, an organization that helps the world through prayer. 3- Bureau Los Angeles (56-156) New York J.CJ.J.F.R. (8) 1- SUPV. #23 #1-16/16 /69 59 SEARCHED) SERIAL 3D 1-SUPV.#23 ITEPED FILLED 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary:  
The documents detail FBI investigations into threats against Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) in June 1968, including correspondence from Luzeta Cordova of San Jose, California, referencing anti-Semitic groups like the Rosicrucian order and "Order Rosa Cruz." Cordova’s letters to RFK and others were linked to a plot targeting his family, though she excluded Mrs. Adelina Graham and Mr. Claysen. FBI agents contacted Mrs. Alicia A. Watson of Brooklyn, New York, who provided information on Cordova’s address at 522 Vine Street, San Jose. Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, the alleged assassin, was noted as a Rosicrucian member. Additional reports mention a suitcase found at the Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, connected to Johnny L. Dowling’s arrest, and a note referencing "Tamara Corovich" tied to Kennedy’s assassination. The FBI planned interviews with Veronica Deems (Santa Monica shop owner), detectives, and officers.  

A second set of documents from June 13-14, 1968, includes FBI communications about RFK’s assassination at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. Key figures include Salvatore Paul Donnarrumma (Brooklyn chauffeur with Philadelphia police ties), Luzeta Cordova (AMORC-affiliated letter writer with anti-Semitic views), William Barry (RFK’s bodyguard who witnessed the shooting), and John Lawrence (NY, linked to a misaddressed telegram). The FBI tracked telegrams sent from Los Angeles to New York, including one addressed to "FAIR" delivered to a Catholic church. Photographs of Sirhan Bishara Sirihan were requested for identification.  

A third summary by Peter P. Smith, RFK’s friend, describes the assassination planning at the Ambassador Hotel on June 5, 1968. Smith detailed Kennedy’s press conference in the Embassy Room, planned exit through the kitchen to the motorcade, and gunfire as he moved. He identified Sirhan Sirhan as the assassin, noting his escort by police. The hotel’s catering manager "UNO" and others like Jack Gallivan, Fred Dutton, and Bill Barry were allegedly aware of the route. FBI communications referenced interviews with witnesses, including Kennedy’s staff and press personnel, and requests for UPI photographs taken during the event.  

Key People:  
- **Robert F. Kennedy** (Senator targeted by threats and assassinated at the Ambassador Hotel)  
- **Luzeta Cordova** (San Jose, CA; sender of threatening letters to RFK, affiliated with AMORC and Rosicrucian order)  
- **Mrs. Alicia A. Watson** (Brooklyn, NY; contacted by FBI for information on Cordova)  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirhan** (assassin of Kennedy, linked to Rosicrucian order)  
- **William Barry** (RFK’s bodyguard who witnessed the shooting)  
- **John Lawrence** (NY; anti-Semitic individual linked to misaddressed telegram)  
- **Peter P. Smith** (RFK’s friend providing details on assassination planning)  
- **Jerry Bruno** (California advance team member)  
- **Jack Gallivan**, **Fred Dutton**, **Bill Barry** (involved in planning Kennedy’s route)  
- **Mr. "UNO"** (catering manager at Ambassador Hotel, allegedly aware of assassination plan)  
- **Gerry Costigan** (allegedly moved Sirhan off the platform during the event)  
- **Ronald T. Bennett**, **Cliff McDowell** (UPI photographers and officials involved in documenting the event)  

Key Locations:  
- **San Jose, California** (Cordova’s residence; Rosicrucian order connections)  
- **Brooklyn, New York** (Watson’s residence; FBI contact point)  
- **Santa Monica, California** (Miramar Hotel, suitcase discovery linked to Johnny L. Dowling)  
- **Los Angeles, California** (Ambassador Hotel site of assassination; origin of telegrams and Sirhan’s photograph)  
- **New York City** (RFK assassination location; Barry’s home address; Catholic church for misaddressed telegram)  
- **Lee's Summit, Mississippi** (prayer-based organization "Silent Unity" mentioned in letters)  

Key Events:  
- **Threatening letters to RFK**: Cordova referenced anti-Semitic groups like the Rosicrucian order and "Order Rosa Cruz," claiming a plot against his family.  
- **FBI investigations**: Tracked Cordova’s whereabouts, interviewed witnesses like Watson, Deems, Barry, and others; requested photographs of Sirhan for identification.  
- **Telegram misaddressing**: A telegram to "FAIR" was delivered to a Catholic church in New York, possibly intended for John Lawrence.  
- **RFK’s route planning**: His itinerary included San Francisco and Los Angeles; the final route was selected five minutes before the assassination.  
- **Assassination at Ambassador Hotel**: Kennedy was shot as he moved from the Embassy Room to the Press Room after a press conference. Witnesses like Smith and Barry described the event, identifying Sirhan as the assassin.  
- **Hotel logistics**: Catering manager "UNO" and others were allegedly aware of the planned exit route through the kitchen.  
- **Photographic evidence**: UPI photographers documented the assassination, with details provided by Ronald T. Bennett and Cliff McDowell.  

Key Organizations:  
- **AMORC (Rosicrucian Order)**: Cordova was affiliated with this group; she described its members as honest and loyal.  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted investigations into threats, tracked telegrams, and coordinated interviews with witnesses.  
- **United Press International (UPI)**: Involved in documenting the assassination through photography.  
- **New York City Police Department (NYPD)**: Handled misaddressed telegram and provided information on John Lawrence.  
- **Rosicrucian order**: Linked to Sirhan Bishara Sirhan and referenced in Cordova’s correspondence.

RFK Declassified Files

44-ny-1640_sec_001_ser_1-88-part_6_of_7.pdf

Document Summary

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