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MEMO: DeLOACH TO TOLSON RE: KNOWLEDGE OF USAGE OF LEASED LINE MICROPHONES ON PART OF DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, INTERVIEW WITH FORMER ASSISTANT DIRECTOR COURTNEY EVANS, JUNE 2, 1966, AT FBI HEADQUARTERS 'We asked Mr. Evans if, in his opinion, officials of the Department of Justice, including Bobby Kennedy and Katzenbach,. could substantially or reliably adopt the position that while they had known of the FBI usage of microphones, they absolutely did not know that' the FBl was involved in trespass in placing Ithese microphones. Evans brightened and stated that this was undoubtedly true. He then explained that he considered his liaison responsibilities, as an FBl official, were to keep Bobby Kennedy, Katzenbach, or any other Departmental official of the fact that the FBi committed trespass~in the placement of microphones. Evans stated he thought that this was the course of action the Director desired him to take. We asked him if he was certain of his position. He stated he was absolutely icertain. We then handed him a memorandum dated April 27, 196l, written by him and bearing his initials, in which he had reported to the Director the results of a meeting in the Depart-- ment of Justice on April 27, l96l, in which the Deputy Attorney General, various Assistant Attorneys General, as well as several Departmental Attorneys attended. The purpose of the meeting was to formulate a position to be recommended to the Attorney General who, at that time, was scheduleduto testify concerning wiretap legislation before the Congress. We pointed out to Evans that in his memorandum he recommended to the Director its views on microphone surveillances, it might be well to. reiterate this position in a current communication to the Deputy Attorney General since this type of coverage is important with FbI investigations of leading racketeers and hoodlums. Evans then recommended in referenced memorandum that a letter be sent to the Deputy Attorney General, fully setting forth.our uy fguo gou sauoedoenee go alean eag oo noadaar yaem aegnneed security but also in criminal and organized crime cases and the incidentals in such matters. We then handed Mr. Evans a memorandum dated May 4, l96l, from the Director to Deputy Attorney General White, which was interests of national safety microphone surveillances are also utilized on a restricted basis, even though trespass is necessary, in uncovering major criminal activities.. We are using such. coverage in connection with our investigations of the clandestine -3-