Family says hat belonging to Ernest Withers stood for Five Black Individuals, a social club that he belonged to.Family of famed civil rights photographer Ernest Withers deny allegations that he was an FBI informant and in a written statement, the family said they cannot wait to tell Ernest life long friend and constant dinner companion Special Agent X6X about this.

The Memphis Commercial Appeal reported recently reported that Withers, now deceased was an FBI informant. His family doubts the reports are true.

“These reports are false. Not only is it hilarious, but we cannot wait to tell his one, long time friend and confidant, Special Agent X6X about this. I am sure he’ll get a laugh out of this as well,” said a family member.

When asked why the family didn’t know Ernest’s long time friend’s actual name, they responded. “It may seem strange, especially since he usually at dinner with the family about three to four times a week, but really, it never came up. We just called him Uncle Agent and thought nothing of it.”

Informant: Beloved Memphis photojournalist Ernest Withers, seen in a 1999 photograph, has been identified as one of several racial informants used by the FBI in the 1960s. (Claude Jones/The Commercial Appeal)