FROM THE FILES OF THE FBI 290
[illegible form info]
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Memorandum
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.
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