Part 41, page 436

Transcript

The scan is the source; the transcript is machine-generated from it.

SE 164-81

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In summary, [REDACTED] I am sure, expected to virtually be given a free hand in this matter but I feel certain that he understands our position. In all honesty, we cooperated with him as much as we could and gave him no more but no less than we have given any other media representative. He was furnished the name of the author of a locally written book about the case ("The Ballad of D.B. Cooper - Skyjacker" by EMMETT WATSON), and furnished the identity of [REDACTED] [REDACTED] of Malibu, California, who had pre- viously done a discreet inquiry for Warner Brothers about the person, JAMES BRYANT COFFELT, who has been alleged to be the Unsub in this case.

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For the information of the Bureau, JAMES BRYANT COFFELT has previously served time in a number of prisons and while [REDACTED] During their prison association and subsequent to their re- lease, COFFELT, who is now deceased, apparently [REDACTED] to believe that he was actually D.B. COOPER. Extensive in- vestigation by the Bureau has virtually eliminated COFFELT as being the Unsub; however, [REDACTED] have worked with [REDACTED] (who was des- cribed as a freelance writer, formerly associated with CBS in Los Angeles, California), in preparing a script/story based on [REDACTED] interpretation of what COFFELT told him. Apparently considerable money has changed hands in the obtaining of the story and preparation of the script with COFFELT try- ing to [REDACTED] in turn, got money from [REDACTED] As recently as last month, United Press International reported a story raising the question that D.B. COOPER was involved in the assassination of Rev. Dr. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. It is felt that such sensational allegations will continue to emanate from [REDACTED] and his associates in order to try to get the NORJAK case on "60 Minutes" or some other TV Show. For the information of the Bureau, NBC also considered using the COFFELT story but declined it unofficially because it did not believe COFFELT was the Unsub.

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OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

With regard to Portland Airtel, it is not felt that there is any point in disecting that communication and rehash- ing its inferences. Suffice it to say that this matter has personally been discussed by me with the SAC in Portland, who

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4. DB Cooper-16551

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b6 b7C b7D