Memorandum: re: Saga Magazine: Article on Mr. Kelley in 10/74 Issue (September 10, 1974)

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum¹

DATE: 9/10/74

TO: Mr. McD[?]it

FROM: Mr. Heim

SUBJECT: SAGA MAGAZINE
ARTICLE ON MR. KELLEY
IN 10/74 ISSUE

Reference is made to letter from [BLACKED OUT] of “Saga” enclosing the October, 1974, issue containing an article on Mr. Kelley by William Hoffer. The article is favorable to Mr. Kelley’s leadership of the FBI and mentions his emphasis on the new openness within the Bureau. [BLACKED OUT] also indicates in his letter that they are gathering data on the Church of Scientology for a possible article and asks if the Bureau can give any help. He mentions that the FBI, among other law enforcement agencies, has reportedly accused the Church of drug trafficking and asks if this is true.

Mr. Kelley has requested that a letter of appreciation be sent [BLACKED OUT] and that help be given [BLACKED OUT] in connection with his request if there is public source data.

_”SAGA” MAGAZINE_:

In 6/74 Hoffer telephonically contacted the External Affairs Division, indicating he was doing a feature on Mr. Kelley for “Saga.” He asked to interview Mr. Kelley and to be furnished previous articles published about the Director. Since it was not felt that “Saga” was an appropriate vehicle for a personality-type article about the Director it was recommended that Mr. Kelley decline to be interviewed by Hoffer; Mr. Kelley agreed that no interview be given. The External Affairs Division so advised Hoffer; he indicated he intended to prepare the article anyway and at his specific request we furnished him recent data and a photograph of Mr. Kelley.

[BLACKED OUT] is not identifiable in Bufiles based on [illegible words]d data available.

Enclosure

1 – Mr. McDermott – Enclosure
1 – Mr. Mintz – Enclosure
1 – Mr. Farrington – Enclosure

JVA:jam (7)

CONTINUED – OVER

[page 2]

Heim to McDermott Memorandum
RE: “SAGA MAGAZINE, ARTICLE ON MR. KELLEY IN 10/74 ISSUE”

_CHURCH OF SCIENTOLOGY_:

This group, along with its founder, Lafayette Ron Hubbard, has been known to the Bureau since 1951. Hubbard’s theory of “scientology” is that it is an alleged science which instills self-confidence for assistance in removing mental problems. Hubbard has been described as “hopelessly insane” by his wife in connection with divorce proceedings. Neither Hubbard nor his group has been investigated by the Bureau; however, we haev received many complaints from citizens alleging that it is a fraudulent money-making scheme, as well as information about this group from other agencies, both foreign and domestic. In 1972 we received information from the State Department that there had been rumors that a boat controlled by the group had been involved in drug traffic; however, nothing was found to substantiate this report. The Church of Scientology has initiated suit against the FBI for information in our files concerning that organization and its affiliates under the Freedom of Information Act, as well as a suit alleging that an illegal wiretap was placed on one of its phones by the FBI. Both suits are presently pending. The suit against the Bureau for alleged wiretapping has been in the press.

_RECOMMENDATION_:

That the attached letter of appreciation be sent [BLACKED OUT] and that he be told that since the Bureau is involved in civil litigation with the organization to which he refers, we are not in position to comment. Reply coordinated with Legal Counsel Division.

– 2 –

Notes