FBI Aggressively Probed Anthrax Suspect

Suspected Scientist Said Feds Stalked Him, Tried To Turn Family Against Him

(AP)  Before killing himself last week, Army scientist Bruce Ivins told friends that government agents had stalked him and his family for months, offered his son $2.5 million to rat him out and tried to turn his hospitalized daughter against him with photographs of dead anthrax victims.

The pressure on Ivins was extreme, a high-risk strategy that has failed the FBI before. The government was determined to find the villain in the 2001 anthrax attacks; it was too many years without a solution to the case that shocked and terrified a post-9/11 nation.

The last thing the FBI needed was another embarrassment. Overreaching damaged the FBI's reputation in the high-profile investigations: the Centennial Olympic Park bombing probe that falsely accused Richard Jewell; the theft of nuclear secrets and botched prosecution of scientist Wen Ho Lee; and, in this same anthrax probe, the smearing of an innocent man - Ivins' colleague Steven Hatfill.

In the current case, Ivins complained privately that FBI agents had offered his son, Andy, $2.5 million, plus "the sports car of his choice" late last year if he would turn over evidence implicating his father in the anthrax attacks, according to a former U.S. scientist who described himself as a friend of Ivins.

Ivins also said the FBI confronted Ivins' daughter, Amanda, with photographs of victims of the anthrax attacks and told her, "This is what your father did," according to the scientist, who spoke only on condition of anonymity because their conversation was confidential.

The scientist said Ivins was angered by the FBI's alleged actions, which he said included following Ivins' family on shopping trips.

Washington attorney Barry Coburn, who represents Amanda Ivins, declined to comment on the investigation. An attorney for Andy Ivins also declined to comment.

The FBI declined to describe its investigative techniques of Ivins.

FBI official John Miller said that "what we have seen over the past few days has been a mix of improper disclosures of partial information mixed with inaccurate information and then drawn into unfounded conclusions. None of that serves the victims, their families or the public."

The FBI "always moves aggressively to get to the bottom of the facts, but that does not include mistreatment of anybody and I don't know of any case where that's happened," said former FBI deputy director Weldon Kennedy, who was with the bureau for 34 years. "That doesn't mean that from time to time people don't make mistakes," he added.

Dr. W. Russell Byrne, a friend and former supervisor of Ivins at the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases at Fort Detrick, Maryland, said he had heard from other Ivins associates that investigators were going after Ivins' daughter. But Byrne said those conversations were always short because people were afraid to talk.

"The FBI had asked everybody to sign these nondisclosure things," Byrne said. "They didn't want to run afoul of the FBI."

Byrne, who retired from the lab four years ago, said FBI agents interviewed him seven to 12 times since the investigation began - and he got off easy.

"I think I'm the only person at USAMRIID who didn't get polygraphed," he said.

Byrne said he was told by people who had recently worked with Ivins that the investigation had taken an emotional toll on the researcher. "One person said he'd sit at his desk and weep," he said.

Questions about the FBI's conduct come as the government takes steps that could signal an end to its investigation. On Wednesday, FBI officials plan to begin briefing family members of victims in the 2001 attacks.

The government is expected to declare the case solved but will keep it open for now, according to two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing investigation. Several legal and investigatory matters need to be wrapped up before the case can officially be closed, they said.

Some questions may be answered when documents related to the case are released, as soon as Wednesday. For others, the answers may be incomplete, even bizarre. Some may simply never be answered.

It is unclear how the FBI eliminated as suspects others in the lab who had access to the anthrax. It's not clear what, if any, evidence bolsters the theory that the attacks may have been a twisted effort to test a cure for the toxin. Investigators also can't place Ivins in Princeton, New Jersey, when the letters were mailed from a mailbox there.

Richard Schuler, attorney for anthrax victim Robert Stevens' widow, Maureen Stevens, said his client will attend Wednesday's FBI briefing with a list of questions.

"No. 1 is, 'Did Bruce Ivins mail the anthrax that killed Robert Stevens?"' Schuler said, adding, "I've got healthy skepticism."

[lambor59]

The reason FBI given is like someone wanted to open a fast food restaurant right next to McDonald, he then went to a nearby car dealer and set it on fire???? ....you know...? it sounded suspicous and it does not make any sense in the FBI report.

[lambor59]

76% of people now see Bush and Cheney''s dirty game, they just killed an important witness, reported as sucide and used him as a scape goat.

[jmurrieta1]

"FBI Aggressively Probed Anthrax Suspect"


While completely ignoring the felons in the White House and in Dik Cheney''s office.

[johngoodnews]

"...agressively probed anthrax suspect." Poor Cartman.

[neoconrcrazy]

" agressively probed" ....hum

offering his family money, cars, etc sounds kinda dirty and what about REAL evidence? or do we convict people on the basis of what others say? like the "therapist" ?

is it possible to hound a man to suicide after destroying his career, family, and self-esteem?

imagine living a life for years where everyone looks at you like a murderer, even your own family.....

[neoconrcrazy]

when the crime is too big to believe, and 7 years of investigation lead nowhere - look to your "government" for the answer....

[ramos937]

FBI official John Miller said that "what we have seen over the past few days has been a mix of improper disclosures of partial information mixed with inaccurate information and then drawn into unfounded conclusions. None of that serves the victims, their families or the public."

----------------------
You have to blame the FBI Director Robert Mueller. For this to happen on a regular basis means that he has lost control.

[neoconrcrazy]

"The last thing the FBI needed was another embarrassment. " AP

but that''s what they got....maybe even a travesty of justice....again?

[downtowner97]

Couric has convicted Ivins, but the AP writer here is still asking questions.

[dmotte]

Screw the FBI.These sons-bit-hes violate everyones rights during any investigation that they do on anyone. They don''t have a website that you can e-mail any of their offices to voice your criticisim of this screwball govt. agency.If any viewers of these e-mails know of one, would you please post it so I can e-mail these idiots and give them my opinions of these screwballs?

[edwinljones]

The FBI, with Sen. Evan Bayhs'' help, did the same thing to me.

I pray that Senator Obama does not pick Evan Bayh as a running mate. As Governor of Indiana, Bayh perpetuated constitutional and civil rights violations in the following cases then crushed all attempts to publicize them. ( Including local TV stations 6,8,13 & 59, as well as the Indianapolis Star and Indianapolis Recorder ) State of Indiana v. Edwin L. Jones, # 49G069001CF007921, Edwin L. Jones v. Indianapolis Police Department et al, U.S. District Court Southern District of Indiana, # Misc 90-134, Edwin L. Jones v. Indianapolis Police Department, et al, 7th Circuit Court of Appeals, # 91-1594, . Edwin L. Jones v. Indianapolis Police Department, U.S. Supreme Court, # 91-7923. Indiana Supreme Court Disciplinary Commission Complaint against Attorney Ali Talib filed 9-18-92.

[rickstas]

Let me just say, we saw the Bush rougue government attempt to discredit the guy who was a weapons inspector (I don''t remember his name) who came out publicly as said that Iraq did not have WMD by catching him in a *** sting that was an obvious setup, outing Valerie Plame, trying to come up with phony WMDs in Iraq, lying constantly about Iraq-Al Queda connection, and secretly sending anthrax spores (who else would have them but the governemnt!) and then framing thisd poor guy after botching the frameup of Hatfield, his co-worker. These people make me sick. There is nothing I would like to see more than Bush and Cheney waterboarded into confession and then hanged for their crimes!

[edwinljones]

The FBI did

Over the last 18 years, the FBI has treated me like Steven Hatfill of the Anthrax case only much worse. At least his case was properly adjudicated, was cleared and received money. I was also arrested and detained without probable cause based on charges procurred by prejured "testimony". This so-called testimony was collectively know to police, prosecutor, and judge to be false before my arrest and 5 month incarceration. During that incarceration, police invaded my home several times creating several crime scenes reminicent of how evidence was planted in OJ Simpsons'' case. In Addition, not one piece of discovery was in affidavit form as required by State and Federal law. NOT ONE PIECE. That includes the Affidavit for Probable Cause, Search Warrant Affidavit, and witness statements.

To silience my voice, I was systematically separated from family and friends, and somehow all forms of media were prevented from covering my story. I am followed everywhere, my phone conversations and mail are tapped and censured. There is also an ongoing attempt to injure me in person and reputation.

Even civil remedies were denied. My pro se petition for a Writ of Certiorari to the 7th Curcuit Court of Appeals that I hand delivered was not filed by the US Supreme Court but destroyed and a bogus denial mailed to me.

[mtracy9]

Just like the FBI aggressively probed leads into who killed JFK.

A LIKELY SCENARIO:

The anthrax attacks of October 2001 were carried out by a neocon Black Op team in concert with the team that took down the WTC. The attacks were aimed at two Democratic Senators: Tom Daschle and Patrick Leahy who were holding up the "Patriot Act" out of constitutional concerns. Just as bioweapons researcher Bruce Ivins was about to be charged with perpetrating the attacks, he commits suicide. His convenient death prevents any future investigation into the masterminds of the attacks.

[hermitdave]

I guess they needed this guy to die. They couldn''t just do a Deda Beard in the nut house thing to shut her up about Tricky *** Nixon. I wonder if this guys son loved him enough to trash the FBI and clear his dads name. Or will he just take the money and the sports car.

[nearl4511]

It is true that often the methods of the FBI tend to promote speculation of conspiracy.

Ruby Ridge and Waco come to mind. If this guywas alive to defend himself in a court of law there would be more creedance to the story. As it is the press again is a willing partner in selected "leaking". With the man''s supposed therapist using terms that no professional would ever use.


We''ve had enough of the anonomous sources here. Let someone go on the record...presuming the official case is over.

[dixxson-2009]

All these millions paid to victims of FBI misconduct, is paid by Taxpayers. And talk about damaging FBI reputation, What Reputation? Ron Paul had the right idea,
They do more Harm than Good" and therefore should be Dismantled".

[vnveteran72]

FBI Aggressively Probed Anthrax Suspect



I aggressively probed this gal I brought home from the bar last night, but at least I didn''t off her and try and convince the Dimbulbs she was responsible for the Anthrax Attacks......I leave such tasks up to the Reich Wingnut Neocon Nazi Party and the Nice Folks over at the Bush/Cheney Crime Cartel......

[jumkey]

Uh-huh.

So why is the FBI is under fire for NOT aggressively pursuing this case? And why is CBS News carrying water for them?

This anthrax case was one of the lies the Iraq war was based on. They were under political pressure NOT to find the terrorists because they were rightwing Americans.

The FBI is corrupt and needs to be dismantled. Any organization who would stand by and allow Americans to be targeted by terrorists are terrorists themselves.

[shortestfuse]

Good for them!