Skip to content

104-10130-10215 2025 RELEASE UNDER THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS ACT OF 1992

SECRET

MEMORANDUM FOR: Chief, Cover Support Desk FROM: Mr. Robert J. Leonard SUBJECT: TARASOFF, Anna

131751 B-SB/2

NOTE: I requested Bob Leonard to give me a copy of this memo. M.K. Holbik RO/PSD 10/20/00

GIST:

A special meeting was convened to consider the problem of the prospective visit of Subject's father to the Russian Embassy to obtain a visa. It was determined that he should not be briefed in advance and that an army cover be provided for Subject.

DETAILS:

  1. On 13 October 1960 the undersigned as representative of the Office of Security met with Mr. Birch O'Neal, CI Staff; T.K. Chalmers, CI/Projects; Henry C. Woodward, CCG/DC; Thornton W. Means, OCG/OCB and the Subject to discuss the problem of a prospective trip to the Russian Embassy by the Subject's father for a trip to Russia.

  2. Mr. O'Neal had Mrs. TARASOFF recount the details of the situation. She said that several months ago her father ANTHONY ADAMOVIEZ had indicated an interest in attempting to locate his brother and sisters in Russia. He sent correspondence to his home town and received a reply from his sister MARIYA KALNAK, c/o KALINOTSKIY, VZDEN SKIY RAYON, MINSKAYA, U.S.S.R.. She stated that his brother IVANU YULYANOVICHU ADOMOVICHU was also living. This correspondence inspired ADAMOVIEZ with the desire to visit his brother and sister in Russia god his retirement. ADONOVICHU, age 66, in good health, recently retired from his job as a laborer with American Steel and Wire Company and is now determined to visit Russia. Subject's mother has no intention of returning to Russia.

  3. Mrs. TARASOFF, on her return from a short vacation visit to her husband BORIS D. TARASOFF, an Agency employee in Mexico, visited her parents in Ohio and was informed

of her father's intention to come to Washington to make inquiry at the Russian Embassy in regard to his visit to Russia. Subject's father wished Subject to accompany him but she indicated that as a government employee she did not want to go there.

  1. Mrs. TARASOFF says that her oldest sister, Mrs. Sherry COMELLA knows of her CIA employment and the necessity not to divulge this information. Subject stated that her father and mother know only that she is a government employee. They are not interested in the Agency or Department where she or her husband is employed. Subject also advised that although her landlady and Sears Roebuck Department Store know her as CIA she is not aware that anyone else knows.

  2. Mr. O'Neal asked what could be done about this situation. Mr. Means said that Subject's husband is in Mexico under light state cover but had previously been backstopped firmly as a contract employee of the Department of State, Escort Branch, Division of Language Services. He said he would firm up this backstop so that in the event of inquiry at that Division of State it would be confirmed that he is in Mexico on an assignment. Mr. Woodward stated that he would provide a U.S. Army Translation Unit cover for Mrs. TARASOFF retroactive to her entrance on duty. The. undersigned stated that he would conduct expedite credit checks on the Subject and her husband to ascertain whether or not they had been recorded as Agency employees.

  3. It was agreed among the conferees that since the father of Subject was unwitting of Subject's CIA employment he would not be specially briefed on what to answer in the event that the question was asked in connection with his VISA application. It was agreed that not knowing the specific Department of Government he would have to consult his daughter and then she could give the cover which had been prepared for her. The undersigned pointed out the possibility that Subject's father might know of Subjects employment but it was agreed that in view of his age and background employment but it was improbable and that it would be better not to brief him specifically on Subjects employment but to let the question be handled naturally.

  4. Subsequent to the meeting expedite credit checks on the Subject and her husband revealed no record at either the Credit Bureau or Stone's. It has subsequently been learned that Subject's father had visited the Embassy and had been asked to give a short history and the names of his children. Subject was listed by her father in her maiden name. Consequently no further difficulty is expected in this matter. The Office of Security is to be kept advised of further developments in this case by T. K. Chalmers, Subject's supervisor.

ACTION:

None. Information only.

Robert J. Lemand Robert. Leonard

  • Note: The question of Subject and/or her husbands employment did not come up and accordingly was not given to her father or the.