FBI Releases Files On Late Mayor Ed Koch
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- For the first time, the FBI has released its files on late New York City Mayor Ed Koch.
The FBI papers do not contain any bombshells. They focus primarily on an alleged plot in 1977 to paint Koch as a racist with a forged letter.
The forged letter used the then-U.S. Congressman's letterhead and signature. It purported to be addressed to fellow Rep. Herman Sadillo, and made it appear as though Koch said, "Please note that we are now faced with a crisis. Should the City Administration suddenly fall into the hands of a black mayor, all of my white constituents in the city will be forced to leave and will be powerless, taking the money with them and New York City will become a ghost city."
The letter was part of a suspected extortion attempt, according to the file. No one was ever arrested.
Also included is a 1973 letter to then-Rep. Koch postmarked from Chicago, featuring a woman saying that "unless someone assumes responsibility to stop another genocide in the writer's family, New York City is going to burn in gasoline."
The file further includes a foreign counterintelligence matter that makes mention of Uruguayan military officials' "irritation" with Koch, the FBI said.
Koch died on Feb. 1 at the age of 88. He served three terms as mayor from 1978 through 1989.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
