Buford Affidavit on Tim Stoen, 10/23/78

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Declaration of Teresa Buford

I, Teresa Buford, hereby declare:

Timothy O. Stoen and I worked jointly on all major money matters for Peoples Temple. On one occasion Timothy O. Stoen and I smuggled over 1 million US dollars out of the United States. We had it both packed in our suitcases and strapped to our bodies. Timothy O. Stoen told me before this was done that it was illegal to smuggle any sum over the amount of [$]5000.00 out of the country but felt strongly that we should proceed in spite of that regulation. Timothy O. Stoen gave me required reading assignments weekly on the subject of laundering money. He would go out to restaurants with me on a regular basis and discuss how to successfully launder money in off-shore corporations outside of the United States. Timothy O. Stoen and I, went to Panama together and Name deleted showed me the articles of incorporation for corporations that he had set out in Panama. The money that Timothy O. Stoen and I illegally smuggled into the country was deposited in a bank account for one of these corporations. Timothy O. Stoen told me that should either of us get arrested in leaving the country that we should call Patrick Halinan [Hallinan] for legal assistance.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on October 23, 1978 at San Francisco, California.

/s/ Teresa Buford
Teresa Buford

 

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Declaration of Teresa Buford

I, Teresa Buford, hereby declare:

Timothy O. Stoen advised me on all work that I did while a member of Peoples Temple. That is in the communication with ex-members first went through Timothy O. Stoen to be sure that it was legally “safe”. Timothy O. Stoen also supervised all surveillance of ex-members and gave his go-ahead on whenever he felt that people should be watched or followed. Timothy O. Stoen like to have his procedure followed with exactness. On one occasion Timothy O. Stoen yelled at me for over an hour for allowing someone to make a call from a particular part of the city. There was nothing done and what Timothy O. Stoen called the diversions department without his direct approval and knowledge.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on October 23, 1978 at San Francisco, California.

/s/ Teresa Buford
Teresa Buford

 

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Declaration of Teresa Buford

I, Teresa Buford, hereby declare:

Timothy O. Stoen passed me a note, a copy of which is attached herewith and incorporated herein, one evening at Peoples Temple in the San Francisco Temple at a meeting of counselors. It was in or around the late part of 1973. I recognized the handwriting on the note as being Tim Stoen’s handwriting. Tim Stoen told me to give the note to Jim Jones as Tim Stoen felt it would be a “good way to handle Jim Cobb.” I wrote at the top of the note “Re: Cobb” and passed the note on.

During the conversation Tim Stoen told me that he would recommend that something be written up as a “script” that someone could read to Cobb over the telephone. He said this way he could word the “script” so as to “scare the shit out of Cobb.” Tim Stoen said that when the call was made, then it should be done, if not by Annie Moore, then by some other unknown voice, and that the caller should call from a pay phone (not located near the church). Tim Stoen said that the call should not last longer than three minutes for the reason that there was a slight possibility that someone might have the call traced. Tim Stoen recommended that the caller wear gloves so that his fingerprints could not be traced. Tim Stoen suggested that the caller say something to make Cobb believe that his life was in danger.

 

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Tim Stoen told me at the time that if Annie Moore could not do it, that I should interview other people to do the same.

The note was never acted upon.

I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.

Executed on October 10, 1978 at San Francisco, California.

/s/ Teresa Buford
Teresa Buford

 

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[Editor’s note: Reference to handwritten note attached.]

– Re: Cobb –

I still think it advisable to proceed. Person who does it should be unknown to subject and should try to disguise voice and speak to the point. Annie Moore probably good.

I don’t think that the authorities will go to all the trouble to make a voice print since nothing illegal involved.

It’s rare that such a “natural” opportunity will present itself.

Tim