Washington D.C.: Unredacted Hottel Memo released via FOIA
The Black Vault obtained the complete unredacted version of the 1950 Hottel Memo through FOIA Case 1555167-000. The release revealed that the information came from Metropolitan Police investigator Karl Howe rather than Air Force sources, though the original source of Howe's information remains unknown.
Background
On August 8, 2022, The Black Vault received the full unredacted Hottel Memo following a FOIA request filed on August 2, 2022. Although the FBI denied expedited processing, they released the record within a week. This disclosure revealed previously redacted names showing that FBI Special Agent Robert H. Kurtzman received the information from Washington D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Special Investigator Karl Howe of the Vice Squad, not directly from an Air Force investigator as previously assumed. While this clarified the chain of custody, the ultimate source of Howe's information remains a mystery, possibly connected to con man Silas Newton or similar figures. The release did not substantiate the original saucer claims but provided important context about the document's origins.