JFK CASE: OFFICE MEMORANDUM: CONEIN, LUCIEN E.

• Document Type: FOIA
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00295968
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: July 13, 2023
• Document Release Date: December 7, 2022
• Case Number: F-2019-01624
• Publication Date: February 17, 1948

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Approved for Release: 2022/11/28 C00295968
STA54,61---ocOft&I NO. 134
Office Memorandum � UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO GPL
FROM
SUBJECT: CONEI
, Lucien E. -
DATE: February 17 194E
CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM
RELEASE IN FULL 1998
The writer has discussed the attached case with Mr. HelMs, Chief,
FBn, on February 11, 1947.
Mr. Helms advised the writer that they had recently received notice
that the Subject has divorced his French wife and that it should not
raise a 10-2 question. The information concerning this divorce is
attached to the file.
As for the discussion concerning Conein's duties in Germany, Helms
elaborated on the subject of "handling burned-out Germanr-gents"
and handling defection cases:. It was pointed out to thewriter that
there is no security involved in disposing of burned out German
agents since these agents have blown themselves and only question remale-
in7, is to dispose of them by removing to another portion of the Americe:.
Zone or out of the country. As regards the defection cases, HelMs
stated that they would not present any security problem but more may
be considered sensitive. As an example, Helms Pointed to an individu..:
who had recently defected to the Americans in Stockholm and had
subsequently been b rought to Berlin through this organization for
complete debriefing. .After the debriefing had beenaccanolished,
it became necessary to. arrange necessary visas and passports tb- move
the subject from Berlin to South American. This latter job become:7
Conein t.s. There is therefore no security problem involved, and thc.
degree of sensitivity lessens as regards Conein and increases as
regards the defected individual. Helms stated that Conein had proved
himself a valuable asset in these tw.2 types of assignment. It was
also agreed that Conein was nottthe7trict. sense a mess and club officer
and that he performed other functions for the mission. Zowever,
none of them involved handling classified material nor being aware
of the actual operations of the mission.
In view of the writer's discussion with Yr. Helms concerning Conein
together with the latest developments regarding the divorce, it is felt
that we should proceed to a full investigation and detemine security wise
whether Conein should be gentinued in the organization employment. In
this connection, it is believed we should request the Chief of the
Fff:: to verify the circumstancessurrounding Conein's recent divorce.
Helms has agreed andw ill dispatch an "eyes alone" request to the Chief
of Mission FBM for an appraisal of Conein which hew ill forward to
Security upon receipt. v/V
\t-k
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pproved for Release: 2022/11/28 C00295968