FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI #188
January 24, 1968
[ADDRESS BLOCK BLACKED OUT]
Dear [BLACKED OUT]
Your letter and enclosure addressed to the Central Intelligence Agency
have been referred to the FBI and were received on January 22nd.
In response to your inquiry, information in FBI files must be maintained
as confidential pursuant to regulations of the Department of Justice. I
hope you will not infer either that we do or do not have material in our
files relating to the organization you mentioned.
Sincerely yours,
[stamped] J. Edgar Hoover
NOTE: Bufiles contain no record identifiable with correspondent.
Lafayette Ron Hubbard, the founder of the Founding Church of Scientology
has been known to the Bureau since 1951. Neither Hubbard nor the
organization headed by him has been investigated by the Bureau. Hubbard
has been described as being "hopelessly insane" by his wife in connection
with divorce proceedings. Hubbard's theory of "Scientology" is an alleged
science which instills self-confidence and assists individuals in removing
mental problems. In August, 1966, the Department requested information
EFT:bjr (3) NOTE CONTINUED
[page 2]
[BLACKED OUT]
Note continued
concerning the Founding Church of Scientology, inasmuch as the Tax
Division is involved in litigation as to whether or not the alleged Church
of Scientology is exempt from Federal income taxation as a religious
organization. Pertinent information contained in Bufiles has been
provided to the Department. This organization has also been investigated
by the Food and Drug Administration, Internal Revenue Service and the Army
(62-94080;83-2361)
- 2 -
