Part 48, page 35

Transcript

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

Memo [REDACTED] RE: NORJAK

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b6 b7C

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It was felt that this reward offer could be run as a nationwide treasure hunt, thus receiving widespread publicity and therefore, hopefully getting a major portion of the United States population checking all twenty dollar bills coming into their possession. We would provide lists of the serial numbers to selected coin magazines and numismatic publications and ask for their assistance in publishing portions of the list at their discretion of course. It was also determined that timing of this publicity, if approved, would be all important; therefore, a recommendation was made that we initiate this publicity in November, 1976, due to the fact that this is when this case will be receiving publicity. The publicity, if we can judge same by past Novembers, AP and UPI releases will state that D. B. Cooper is now a free man, that the Statute of Limitations regarding this crime has run. Department of Justice's stand at this time is that the Statute of Limitations has tolled due to the fact that at the time offense was committed (11/24/71), it was a crime punishable by death, therefore, the Statute of Limitations would not apply. This would be the ideal time to initiate a program of this type. The only other factor considered regarding this publicity campaign was that of cost to the Bureau. The only cost anticipated was the cost of reproduction of the ransom money list and the cost of Agents' time throughout the country distributing their list to appropriate media personnel with an appropriate press release from the Director. A prior check would be made with leading newspapers in major cities to determine the most appropriate and convenient form in which to supply the serial numbers of the 10,000 twenty dollar bills in an effort to enlist their full participation in this treasure hunt. It is surely realized that this is a long- shot chance at attempting to secure leads regarding this matter, but it is felt that at this point in the investigation, our choices of alternatives are extremely limited.

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All attendees contributed significantly in an attempt to insure all investigative aspects of this case have been fully completed and that every effort has been made to identify and locate subject of this matter.

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DB Cooper-19826