</s>DIRECTOR, FBI (97-5144) 8/26/68 SAC, NEW YORK (105-91643) JOHN M. LAURENCE, aka John M. Lawrence, KENSART. John Lawrence Pawluk RA-MIDDLE EAST. ReBUlets to N.Y. 7/25/68 and 8/19/68. -1-1/11/15/15-5/15 -5-5-15-15/5-25-5 -5/5/25-15 Transmitted herewith are five copies of an LHM dated and captioned as above. The confidential source mentioned in the above LIM 1s CSNY 1916-S. The second confidential source mentioned in the above LHM is CSNY 1616-S The second confidential source mentionedin the MOHAMED SAMY YOUSSEF, PSI. Under separate cover, the NYO is requesting permission from the Bureau to interview the subject pursuant to the letter written by J. WALTER YEACLEY, Assistant Attorney General, Internal Security Division, dated 7/23/63. LEADS NEW YORK AT NEW YORK, NEW YORK. ORIGINAL FILED IN N.M. 1. Will await Bureau permission to interview this subject. 2. Will maintain contact with OMAR 2. GHOBASHY who will make further efforts to furnish sources who may have information concerning the "Organizing Committee for Clemency for Sirhan" and who may be in a position to furnish information concerning that the source of funds obtained by the subject for the operation of this committee and for the purchase of pamphlets from the Arab information center. 2-Bureau (Enols. 5)(RM) 62-38-87- -New York AC-dam NOT RECORDED (3) 145 AUG 30 1968 -1 TELOSUAL 61SEP4 1968 2025 RELEASE UNDER E.O. 14176

Summary  
The documents detail FBI investigations into potential connections between individuals and Robert F. Kennedy’s (RFK) assassination or related activities. John M. Laurence, also known as John Lawrence Pawluk, is referenced in relation to the Arab Information Center and pamphlet distribution. Omar Gobashy, an attorney and information officer for the Egyptian Consulate, provided statements about his contact with Laurence and the "Organizing Committee for Clemency for Sirhan," though he denied involvement. Steve Shapiro, a freelance photographer, described taking photographs of RFK at airports in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Henry R. Ramistella, a subject of investigation, had prior arrests for theft and marijuana possession. William Barry is linked to an ambulance incident on June 5, 1968, with Ethel Kennedy and others present. The FBI sought information on potential connections between these individuals and RFK’s assassination or related activities.  

The documents also detail FBI efforts to obtain an autopsy report for Senator Robert F. Kennedy following his assassination on June 5, 1968. On September 3, 1968, Herbert McRoy, Deputy Coroner of Los Angeles County, discussed with Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi, the Chief Medical Examiner, whether the autopsy report would be released to the FBI prior to a trial related to the assassination. McRoy noted that court-imposed restrictions on information release did not apply to the FBI. The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office had not received the report and expected it to remain sealed until the trial commenced.  

Governor Ronald Reagan of California voted in favor of a bill (co-authored by Assembly Speaker Jesse M. Unruh) that would have regulated access to official autopsy photographs of Senator Robert F. Kennedy. The Governor later vetoed the bill, citing concerns about its wording potentially hindering legitimate use for medical research and forensic analysis.  

Separate FBI records from August 27, 1968, reference an investigation into a potential threat against RFK. Joseph Willard "Pappy" Luke, owner of Pappy’s Stew House in Raywood, Texas, claimed he had encountered a man in May 1968 who expressed intentions to assassinate a senator in California. Luke described the individual as resembling Sirhan Bishara Sirhan and provided a photograph for identification. However, local residents in Raywood were shown the photo but did not recognize the person. The FBI noted no other residences or businesses in the town that could have facilitated observation of the man. Deputy Sheriff Will Autry of Liberty County confirmed no information had been developed regarding the suspect’s identity.  

Key People  
- John M. Laurence (John Lawrence Pawluk)  
- Omar Gobashy (attorney, Egyptian Consulate liaison)  
- Steve Shapiro (freelance photographer)  
- Henry R. Ramistella  
- William Barry  
- Herbert McRoy: Deputy Coroner, Los Angeles County  
- Dr. Thomas T. Noguchi: Chief Medical Examiner, Los Angeles County  
- Governor Ronald Reagan: California governor  
- Jesse M. Unruh: Assembly Speaker (Democrat)  
- Joseph Willard "Pappy" Luke: Owner of Pappy’s Stew House, Raywood, Texas  
- Sirhan Bishara Sirhan: Suspect in RFK assassination  

Key Locations  
- New York City (Arab Information Center, Nassau County Police Department)  
- Los Angeles (FBI SAC, LAPD)  
- San Francisco (Airport, photographs)  
- Bronx, New York (Ramistella’s residence)  
- Los Angeles County Courthouse (Los Angeles, California)  
- Raymond/Raywood, Texas  
- Liberty County Sheriff’s Office (Texas)  

Key Events  
- Investigation into Laurence’s ties to the Arab Information Center and pamphlet distribution.  
- Gobashy’s statements about his contact with Laurence and the "Organizing Committee for Clemency for Sirhan."  
- Shapiro’s account of photographing RFK at San Francisco and Los Angeles airports.  
- FBI tracking Ramistella’s criminal history and whereabouts.  
- Inquiry into Barry’s involvement in an ambulance incident involving RFK’s wife, Ethel Kennedy.  
- Discussions regarding release of RFK autopsy report and photographs (September 1968).  
- Investigation into potential assassination threat against RFK (August 1968).  
- Examination of individuals in Raywood, Texas, to identify a suspect described by Luke.  
- Veto of legislation regulating access to autopsy photographs by Governor Reagan.  

Key Organizations  
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)  
- Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office  
- California Legislative Council  
- Liberty County Sheriff’s Office  
- Thoroughbred Racing Protective Association (TRP)  
- Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD)  
- Arab Information Center

RFK Declassified Files

62-hq-587_sec_025_ser_895-946-part_5_of_5.pdf

Document Summary

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