What did the declassified documents reveal?

The document you are hearing is a memorandum commonly known as the “Family Jewels,” prepared by the Director of Security for the Executive Secretary of Central Intelligence Agency Management on May sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑three. It is notable because it enumerates covert activities that the Agency later identified as potentially violating the National Security Act of nineteen forty‑seven, and it was released to the public in June two thousand seven as part of a Freedom of Information Act filing. This memorandum was released through a Freedom of Information Act request, case number unknown, and made public by the Central Intelligence Agency on June twenty‑first, two thousand seven. The declassification authority was the CIA’s Office of the General Counsel. The full text is available on the Black Vault website at the URL you will hear at the close of this episode. The memorandum reads as follows. “MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Secretary, CIA Management Committee SUBJECT: ‘Family Jewels’ 1. The purpose of this memorandum is to forward for your personal review summaries of activities conducted either by or under the sponsorship of the Office of Security in the past which in my opinion conflict with the provisions of the National Security Act of nineteen forty‑seven. 2. These activities cover the period from March nineteen fifty‑nine to date and represent as accurate a record as is available in our files. Those activities which took place prior to the date of my appointment as Director of Security on July first, nineteen sixty‑four have been developed to a certain extent through the recollection of the senior people in this Office who were involved or who had knowledge of the activities at the time they occurred. 3. I have gone back to March nineteen fifty‑nine because I believe that the activities occurring since that time still have a viable “flap potential” in that many of the people involved, both Agency and non‑Agency, are still alive and through their knowledge of the activity represent a possible potential threat or embarrassment to the Agency. I would be glad to provide clarification or an explanation of any of these activities if desired. You have my assurance that unless otherwise stated each of these activities was approved by higher authority—the Director of Central Intelligence, the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, the Executive Director‑Comptroller, or the Deputy Director for Support. Attachment A – Johnny Roselli: The use of a member of the Mafia in an attempt to assassinate Fidel Castro. 1. In August nineteen sixty, Mr. Richard M. Bissell approached Colonel Sheffield Edwards to determine if the Office of Security had assets that may assist in a sensitive mission requiring gangster‑type action. The mission target was Fidel Castro. 2. Because of its extreme sensitivity, only a small group was made privy to the project. The Director of Central Intelligence was briefed and gave his approval. Colonel J. C. King, Chief, WH Division…

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Declassified Family Jewels

◆ BLUF — The short version

The document you are hearing is a memorandum commonly known as the “Family Jewels,” prepared by the Director of Security for the Executive Secretary of Central Intelligence Agency Management on May sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑three.

Date: JUL 31 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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Questions about this case

What was Declassified Family Jewels about?: The document you are hearing is a memorandum commonly known as the “Family Jewels,” prepared by the Director of Security for the Executive Secretary of Central Intelligence Agency Management on May sixteenth, nineteen seventy‑three.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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Declassified Family Jewels

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