Patriot Act abuses investigated

[Jack]

FBI Employees Face Criminal Probe Over Patriot Act Abuse Ryan Singel 07.12.07 | 2:00 AM FBI personnel who used misleading emergency letters to acquire thousands of Americans' phone records are the subject of a criminal investigation, top bureau officials told civil liberties groups Monday. The unprecedented criminal probe, revealed at an outreach meeting led by FBI director Robert Mueller and general counsel Valerie Caproni at FBI headquarters, is looking at the actions of an antiterrorism team known as the Communications Analysis Unit, according to two people who attended the meeting independently and who informed Wired News, requesting anonymity. The privately disclosed investigation would mark the first time government officials have faced possible prosecution for misuse of Patriot Act investigative tools, and highlights the seriousness of recent reports about the FBI's misuse of a powerful self-issued subpoena known as a National Security Letter. Unit employees, who are not authorized to request records in investigations, sent form letters to telephone companies to acquire detailed billing information on specific phone numbers by falsely promising that subpoenas were already in the works. According to a third source, FBI officials also said at the meeting that some bureau employees have already been granted immunity from prosecution in the investigation. The third source, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, did not recall, however, that FBI officials described the investigation as "criminal." FBI spokesman Richard Kolko confirmed that the meeting took place but declined to comment on the content of the conversation, saying only, "The FBI does not confirm or deny investigations." Neither the Justice Department's Office of the Inspector General nor the FBI's Office of Professional Responsibility returned calls for comment.

FBI Employees Face Criminal Probe Over Patriot Act Abuse

So much for the contention that no U.S. citizen has been victimized by this so-called Patriot Act. Maybe Mr. Bush will grant all those agents executive privilege to avoid testifying and a pardon if convicted.

[Osborn F Enready]

I have as much hope for Justice in this case, as I did with the O.J. Simpson case...... none.

The Center will protect itself, and fall-guys will take the fall, and business will be back to normal in the morning.

[Praxius]

Yup, and Bush will of course deny it all and come up with some stupid ass excuse to justify it all.....

Weee... everyday more and more is discovered.