Did the FBI Confiscate Nikola Tesla's Papers?

_{Above photo credit: Federal Bureau of Investigation in the public domain.}

The FBI prepared a list of 'FBI Myths', Nikola Tesla's death ray is number 10.

Ever since Tesla's death, the Federal Bureau of Investigations has denounced rumors that they are in possession of the 'death ray' plans. The FBI has repeatedly reported that representatives of the Office of Alien Property seized Tesla's papers for safekeeping. ('alien' in this instance refers to foreign persons). Tesla was a U.S. Citizen, so the jurisdiction of the Office of Alien Property is questionable.

In 1942 President Franklin D. Roosevelt established the Office of Alien Property. During World War II the agency accumulated an enormous portfolio of real and intellectual properties belonging to enemies. In 1966 President Lyndon B. Johnson abolished the office.

In 2013 under the Freedom of Information Act, President Obama ordered the FBI to release all papers in their possession relating to Nikola Tesla. [There are too many to list here but I've selected a few that I think are pertinent].

Sava Kosanovich

Sava Kosanovich was Tesla's nephew and heir, he also had strong ties to the communist party. The day after Tesla died, Kosanovich entered Tesla's residential hotel room reportedly to look for a will. Kosanovich gained access to the room by three representatives from the Hotel New Yorker while accompanied by Tesla's longtime friend, Kenneth Sweezey, custodians from the Office of Alien Property, and representatives of the Yugoslavian consulate.

Tesla's safe was opened, some items were removed and recorded, such as personal photos, newspaper articles, a compilation of greetings from friends and the like. The safe was then closed and locked.

In the letter to J. Edgar Hoover dated June 25, 1955, Mr. Sweezey is sure of at least one item missing from Tesla's effects. Hoover replied as having no knowledge of what was in or possibly taken from Tesla's safe.