[Editor’s note: One of the subjects of this serial whose name is deleted is Steven Katsaris, a member of Concerned Relatives and father of Maria and Anthony Katsaris. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type.]
FBI Airtel
Date 7/9/79
TO: DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM: SAC, WFO (89-570) (P) (C-4)
RYMUR
Enclosed for the Bureau and San Francisco are two copies of a letter addressed to [Steven Katsaris], dated 6/1/79, and two copies of a bank statement, dated 1/4/79, from the Banco Union, Caracas, Venezuela, in the name of Maria Katsaris.
Copies of the above documents were furnished to WFO by [name deleted] on 6/22/79.
Also enclosed for the Bureau and San Francisco are two copies of FD-302 reflecting interview of [Katsaris] who was visiting Washington, DC (WDC). [Katsaris] stated he would be available in [Ukiah], California, if additional interview was necessary.
Leads to conduct appropriate interviews and lead to Legat, Caracas being left to discretion of San Francisco.
Armed and dangerous, suicidal tendencies.
[Page 2 – photocopy of manila envelope]
[Page 3]
FD-302
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Date of transcription 7/9/79
[Identifying information of Steven Katsaris deleted]
On June 18, 1979, he received in the mail a two-page letter from Charles Touchette, who [Katsaris] described as a member of the People’s Temple (PT), with a bank statement from the Banco Union of Caracas, Venezuela, as an enclosure. The statement is in the name of Maria Katsaris and reflects a balance on hand of 85,745 Venezuelan dollars.
[Katsaris] identified Maria Katsaris as [Katsaris’ daughter] who was a member of the PT and died at Jonestown.
Touchette is personally unknown to [Katsaris] but he recognized his name as a long-standing member of PT, along with Touchette’s [several words deleted].
[Katsaris] described Maria as one of the few members truly trusted by James Jones, thereby explaining why the bank account is in Maria’s name; he was strongly of the opinion that the money is PT money as, to his knowledge, Maria did not have that much money. However, if the money legally belongs to [Katsaris, balance of line deleted].
[Katsaris] was unable to explain why Touchette would contact him other than for the reason Touchette sets forth in the letter.
[Katsaris] is of the opinion that several other similar accounts for PT money probably exist in other banks and probably in the names of other members similarly trusted by Jones. These would most likely be females, as Jones did not trust males in [Katsaris’] opinion.
[Katsaris] did not have the envelope, but recalled it was postmarked Port of Spain, Trinidad. [Katsaris] declined to make the originals of the letter and bank statement available as he wished to retain same.
[Page 4 – letter from Charles Touchette]
1 June 1979
Dear [Steven Katsaris],
My name is Charles Touchette, you and I have never met, however I knew Maria while she was in Jonestown and I liked her very much, she was a great friend. My [several words deleted] who I am sure you know.
First I want to extend to you my sympathy for the great loss you have suffered with the loss of [your daughter Maria] and the injuries suffered by your [son Anthony]. I know exactly of the terrible pain you have gone through for I have suffered a great loss in this horrible murderous tragedy last November. If there was anything I could do to change what has happened, believe [me] I would do so immediately. I am truly sorry to you and everyone who has been hurt by the insanity of Jim Jones.
I have attached to this letter a bank statement from a bank in Caracas, Venezuela. You will note that the account is in Maria’s name only, Peoples Temple does not appear, now it seems to me if you were to approach this bank with the right documentation you would be entitled to this money, which I feel is in the ballpark of $20,000 US dollars. It certainly is worth a try and do not think this is the account the US government has said is in Venezuela, that account I heard was set up by [name deleted].
[Page 5 of serial; page 2 of letter]
My motives are not completely unselfish, for if you could get the money and see your way clear to pay for the expenses of getting [name deleted] to the Caribbean, wherever I might be, I would be most appreciative.
However the first thing that should be done, I feel, would be to pay for [Anthony’s] medical bills, I have been told that he was very seriously wounded at the airstrip in Port Kaituma, so please take care of your son first.
Once again, [Steven Katsaris], I am most deeply sorry for all of this hurt that has been brought on so many people and I am extremely ashamed for ever being a part of Peoples Temple.
In closing I wish to remain
Very truly yours,
Charles Touchette
[Page 6 is photocopy of bank statement]