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Drew PearsonInterview Bugged by FBIWASHINGTON—The secret microphones planted by the FBI in Fred Black’s hold suite not only picked up the private conversations of congressional leaders, While House aides and business tycoons, but also caught newspaper columnists in quest of Information. Wc happen to be the columnists whose efforts were recorded on hidden FBI tapes.We were Invest (gating the same rumors as the Justice Departmenl-nnmcly lhal Black was the gambling syndicate's front man in Washington. Unknown to us, however, the FBI was tencd in on our investigation.One of the FBI’s secret summaries states: “The following communication pertains to information obtained by the informant (meaning the FBI bug) concerning a visit to Black by columnist Jack Anderson, associate of Drew Pearson, on 4*6-63 at approximately 6 p.m.In response to questions, according to the transcript, Black admitted that a grand jury was Investigating him In find some conflict of Interest or maybe I was paying off somebody.Did they bring Levinson before the grand jury? asked Anderson.Ed Levinson?The FBI noted that this question seemed to surprise Black.I never had any business dealings with him,” said Black.They're saying you’re representing him.Well that isn't true, I emphatically deny it. He’s one of the best friends I have over a period of 2 years BLACK ACKNOWLEDGED that his association with Levinson had aroused the suspicions of the FBI which. Black claimed, watched him when he visited Las Vegas.They're watching everyone with those people, said Anderson. They think that you’re some kind of a bag man or something for them.”I represent legitimate companies, protested Black.Have you ever talked to any senators or congressmen or anybody about any of their problems out there?”No,” said Black, the only thing I did was for Jimmy Morrison fthen congressman from Louisiana). Ite had charge of getting a bunch of congressional secretaries and people like that on a summer trip when Congress was over. Through Cliff Jones, who owns the Thunderbird, I arranged for them to headquarter at (he Thunderbird. . .They told me that you represented Levinson,” Anderson persisted.Jack,” pleaded Black, some day when Kddlc comes here for dlrmer or some* tiling, I want you to meet him. He’s a lilllc hard to describe. I know his whole background. He was probably the biggest bookmaker DclVolt ever had. I know he was the biggest gambler Miami ever had, Then lie went to Las Vegas. He came under the grnnddaddy law; it excused him for anything he ever did as long as he stayed working In Nevada. He told us all these things.”ANDERSON, referring again to the Justice Department’s Investigation, contended: They aren't going to that extent be* cause they saw you in his (Levinson’s) company. They have to be convinced of morn than that. What they told me, my informant told me, they think they got something.Immediately after Anderson’s departure, according to the transcript. Black called in John Cyc Chcns'y, a private eye. and reported the results of the interview.The Justice Department told him (Anderson) they consider me a liaison man and beg man for Las Vegas, the gamblers in Las Vegas. said Black.Pearson could murder you, warnedCheasty.'Wo, he couldn’t murder me.Ho could give you bad publicity.Thinking P over, Black growled: They wanted him t’o blast me in the paper.They wanted to plant a story, agreed Cheasty. I can’t understand why they gave that to Anderson. That, to me Is dirty pool.”I think this comes from Bobby Kennedy (then Attorney General). said Black, and ho cussed out Kennedy bitterly.SHORTLY AFTER the tapes were transcribed. the FBI sent an urgent summary bv teletync to the Las Vegas and Los A nee1 es field offices. The message was marked June. a code word for secret.(Black' said he was going to tell Levinson about the information received from Anderson.” concluded the teletype, then added: Las Vegas and Los Angeles be a'ert for information pertaining to Black's statement that he would furnish information from Anderson to Levinson.Note: Judge William Jones has broken all precedents by ordering the FEI to furnish him with all its records in the Black case. Under protest, J. Edgar Hoover has turned over the full file; but he is still pleading with the court not to release everything to Black’s attorneys. Judge Jones also has ordered an investigation ir,-;o how we got hold of the still-secret transcripts.
Newspaper Details
Dover Daily Reporter
Dover, Ohio, US
Fri, Jan 05, 1968
Page 2
Full Page
Clipped by
Ay M.
USA 23 Dec 2015
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