</s>Memorandum to Mr. DeLoach Re: KENSALT ACTION TAKEN: Liaison being instructed to ask State Department to have Steve Pralmer, its representative in the Political Section of the Embassy in London, to check with Jon Kimche to find out the source of Jon Kimché's information. It is noted Pralimer is supposed to be a friend of Jon Kimcke. -2- 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

The documents detail FBI and Secret Service investigations into threats against Senator Robert F. Kennedy’s life, including an anonymous letter sent to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Earl Warren in May 1968, postmarked San Francisco. The letter contained handwritten text reading "Somebody shoot this Catholic bastard." The FBI requested laboratory analysis of the handwriting to identify the writer and assess its relevance to the assassination case.  

Additional inquiries focused on Sirhan Bishara Sirihan, the perpetrator of RFK’s assassination, with interviews conducted with individuals who had contact with him. Henry F. Peters, a retired painter in Wisconsin, reported that Sirhan worked at a store operated by Richard Weidner and later attended school full-time after receiving a settlement from an accident lawsuit. Walter Thomas Rathke, a resident of Alameda, California, noted Sirhan’s interest in meditation and the Rosicrucian Order, though Sirhan claimed to have left the group due to financial difficulties. Rathke also mentioned Sirhan’s association with the Theosophical Society, which promotes global brotherhood and interfaith dialogue.  

The Detroit FBI office investigated Djeredjian, a figure linked to Sirihan through unspecified connections, noting his return to Detroit around ten days prior but unclear whereabouts. Mrs. Marge Rodak, Sirihan’s mother-in-law, reportedly claimed knowledge of assassination plots against Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey, though these statements were not corroborated.  

The FBI also reviewed information on John Kimche, a Swiss-born journalist with ties to Israeli intelligence and Zionist organizations, including his brother David, an Israeli intelligence officer. Kimche’s writings, which praised Israel’s political actions, were referenced in discussions about potential influences on Sirhan.  

Thomas D’Good, a high school acquaintance of Sirhan, described him as anti-Israel but noted no direct connection to Kennedy’s assassination motive. Attorney Aubrey Grossman, representing D’Good, expressed skepticism about the FBI’s handling of past investigations, including JFK’s assassination, though his claims were dismissed as unfounded.  

The documents also reference FBI efforts to track Salim Sirian (SIRHAN SIRIAN), a suspect linked to RFK’s assassination, through his employment history, travel records, and familial connections. This included verifying his visa status, military service, and interactions with individuals like Bishara Salameh Khatthais in Jordan. The FBI coordinated with the State Department to investigate Jon Kimche’s information sources via Steve Pralmer in London.  

Key People:  
- **Sirhan Bishara Sirihan**: Perpetrator of RFK’s assassination; investigated for employment history, travel records, and associations with Rosicrucian and Theosophical groups.  
- **Earl Warren**: U.S. Supreme Court Justice who received an anonymous threat letter postmarked San Francisco in May 1968.  
- **Henry F. Peters**: Retired painter and former employer of Sirhan; reported his employment at a store operated by Richard Weidner.  
- **Walter Thomas Rathke**: Alameda, California resident with contact to Sirhan; noted his interest in meditation, Rosicrucian Order, and Theosophical Society.  
- **Mrs. Marge Rodak**: Sirihan’s mother-in-law; reportedly claimed knowledge of assassination plots against Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey.  
- **John Kimche**: Swiss-born journalist with ties to Israeli intelligence and Zionist organizations; his writings referenced in discussions about potential influences on Sirhan.  
- **Aubrey Grossman**: Attorney representing Thomas D’Good, who described Sirhan as anti-Israel but noted no direct connection to Kennedy’s assassination motive.  

Key Locations:  
- **Detroit, Michigan**: Site of FBI investigations into Djeredjian and Sirhan’s background; interviews with Detroit police and other suspects conducted here.  
- **San Francisco, California**: Origin of anonymous letter sent to Earl Warren in May 1968.  
- **Pasadena, California**: Sirhan’s schooling and employment locations.  
- **Alameda, California**: Rathke’s residence and contact with Sirhan.  
- **London, England**: Kimche’s journalistic work and ties to Zionist groups.  
- **Jordan**: Sirhan’s marriage to Nellie Khader; referenced in travel records and familial connections.  

Key Events:  
- **May 1968**: Anonymous threat letter sent to Earl Warren, postmarked San Francisco, containing handwritten text referencing RFK.  
- **June 13, 1968**: FBI transmitted telegrams detailing investigations into RFK’s assassination, including interviews with witnesses and verification of suspect backgrounds.  
- **Interviews with Sirhan’s contacts**: Henry F. Peters, Walter Thomas Rathke, and others provided details about Sirhan’s employment, associations, and personal life.  
- **Investigation into Djeredjian**: FBI examined his movements and potential connections to Sirhan, noting conflicting statements from Mrs. Djeredjian regarding Kennedy’s assassination.  
- **Review of John Kimche’s writings**: His ties to Israeli intelligence and Zionist organizations referenced in discussions about influences on Sirhan.  
- **FBI coordination with Department of Justice**: Sharing confidential investigative reports with District Attorney Evelle J. Younger for the RFK case.  

Key Organizations:  
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)**: Conducted interviews, tracked suspects, and coordinated with diplomatic entities.  
- **U.S. Department of Justice**: Involved in sharing confidential investigative reports with District Attorney Evelle J. Younger.  
- **Theosophical Society**: Mentioned as an organization Sirhan was allegedly associated with.  
- **Rosicrucian Order (Pasadena chapter)**: Documented attendance by Sirhan and others, leading to his identification in photos.  
- **Zionist Federation of Great Britain and Ireland**: Financial support for Jewish Observer referenced in Kimche’s ties to Zionist groups.  
- **Israeli intelligence**: Connections to John Kimche and his brother David, an Israeli intelligence officer.

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_012_ser_457-510-part_2_of_4.pdf

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