LETTER TO WILLIAM COLBY FROM ALICE W. OLSON, ERIC OLSON, LISA OLSON HAYWARD AND NILS OLSON RE THE SURVIVING FAMILY OF DR. FRANK OLSON, WHO WAS PERSONALLY INJURED AND KILLED

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 00313381
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: January 23, 2025
• Document Release Date: February 18, 2000
• Publication Date: July 17, 1975

July. 17, 1975
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William Colby, Director
Central Intelligence Agency
Langley, Virginia .
Dear Director Colby:
We are the surviving family of Dr. Frank -Olson,
a biochemist who in 1953 was personally injured and
killed as the direct and proximate result of the. il-
legal, unlawful and wrongful acts of the Central Intel-
ligence Agency (CIA). As you know, Dr. OlSon's personal
injuries and wrongful death occurred in New York City
-following the secret and unknown administration. to him
of the drug lySergic acid diethylamide (LSD). We, the
.members of Dr.. Olson's family, also suffered injuries as
a result thereof.
hereby,*pursuant to this letter, file a claim -
:lox- Dr. Olson's. wrongful death, and all other claims
arising as a result thereof, pursuant; to the Federal Tort
Claims Act (28 U.S.C. �g 2671, et seq.), and in accordance
with Part 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations.(Adminis-
trative Claims under Federal Tort Claims -Act). This let-
ter is in lieu Of the executed Standard Form 95, and is
specifically, permitted pursuant to Section 14.2(a) of Part
14 of 28.C.F.R. If You helieve.this letter is not in com-
pliance with Section 14.2(a) of C.F.R., please notify our
counsel promptly. This letter also constitutes a power of
attorney appointing counsel as.re5uired by Part 4 of C.F.R.
The relief which we claim is as follOws:
1. A full and complete disclosure to the family
of all of the details surrounding the circumstances which -
lead to the illegal administration of LSD and the resulting
death of Dr. Olson. We do request appropriate assurance
from the proper government official that such full and com-
plete disclosure has been made. The family, mindful of the
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July 17, 197
Page Two
circumstances and the painful details that this dis-
closure may entail, reserve.the right at its discretion
to make some or. all of the details public. The family
will be glad to advise the CIA, if .that becomes neces-
sary, in a proper and dignified release of this material
to the public.
2. A statement from the appropriate government
official and/or Department stating that such acts which
led to the ,death of Dr. Olson were contrary to the xights
of American citizens and to the Charter of the. CIA. We
also want assurance that appropriate steps have been taken,
either, by.. way of Executive Order or Directive, or appropri-"
ate CIA Rules and Regulations, which specifically forbid
the kind of activity which resulted in the wrongful death
of'Dr. Olson; and
3. Monetary damages in the maximum amount of
,$10,000,000 (ten million "dollars). (As you.know, Section
2675.(b) of the Federal Tort Claims Act requires that the
maximum amount of damages be set forth in any ,daim filed
"with'the appropriate agency so as not to preclude any ap-
propriate monetary recovery in United States District.Court
� if.legal"action is required.) � � �
. -
. � We have decided not to make this'letter.or:the fact
that we have filed' this claim with the CIA public at this
time.
�
� .
' We would be glad to discuss any of the above with
you at your earliest convenience. We hope the sooner.
this Matter is resolved the better. However, we are pre-
pared, after living with this for over twenty-two years,
to pursue'our rights to their eventual conclusion, no
matter how long this may take.
Please contact the family's co"unsel -- David
Rudovsky,.Esq., and'David Kairys, Esq., Kairys.&�Rudovsky,
0. 0 1 0 8 0
wiiiiam Colby, Director
JUly 17, 1975
Page Three
1427 Walnut Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19102,
telephone number (215) 'Lo 3-8312.
We will await your reply.
Very truly yours, .
Zk 01' / 7;,/
Mrs. Alice W. Olson .
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Eric Olson
Lisa Olson Hayward
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Nils Olson
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