FBI Under Fire; Admits Serious Violations of Law
EmailThe FBI improperly and, in some cases, illegally used USA Patriot Act powers to obtain information about U.S. citizens and residents, a new Justice Department report concluded. The report by Justice Department Inspector General Glenn A. Fine was first reported on the Blotter on ABCNews.com last night. Fine’s office scrutinized the FBI’s use of National Security Letters (NSLs) under the Patriot Act, which expanded their powers. Intended for use in secretive terrorism and espionage cases, the letters allow the FBI to obtain information, such as business records and data on telephone subscribers, without a judge’s consent. Moreover, FBI agents at times requested and received information they were not authorized to obtain under the law, Fine’s report concluded. The report released today paints a picture of widespread misuse of NSLs by FBI agents and confusion about how NSLs are to be issued and recorded. Fine’s office found chronic underreporting by agents about how many NSLs they issued, leading to its conclusion that the total number of NSLs reported by the FBI between 2003 and 2005 — over 143,000 — may be understated by tens of thousands of letters. Click Here for Full Blotter Coverage. As a result, FBI reports to Congress on its use of the secretive powers were inaccurate, the report said. "This report proves that ‘trust us’ doesn’t cut it," said Sen. Russ Feingold, D-Wisc., in a written statement released this morning. Feingold, long an opponent of the FBI’s expansive authorities under the Patriot Act, vowed "full and prompt" investigations into the misuses of NSLs and said he would push for reform. A spokeswoman for Attorney General Alberto Gonzales said last night that Gonzales "has told [FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III] that these past mistakes will not be tolerated and has ordered the FBI and the department to restore accountability and to put in place safeguards to ensure greater oversight and controls over the use of national security letters." In a written statement, a chastened FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III called some of the report’s findings "unacceptable." At a press conference today, Mueller accepted personal responsibility for the FBI’s multiple failures.
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Just another example of this administration over stepping the law. People, you voted them in, this is the government you get.
Posted by: Gary Link | March 9, 2007, 1:17 pm 1:17 pm
who cares?!?! Let them look at me…I’m not doing anything wrong. Are you?
Posted by: Common American | March 9, 2007, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Yea they can look at me all they want. Only paranoid fools are upset. Anything they need to do to prevent another 9/11 is fine with me.
Posted by: patrice | March 9, 2007, 1:49 pm 1:49 pm
i cant belive we are in usa…this gov make us look like iran or iraq and never ever have anything done right god help us
Posted by: gohn estareo | March 9, 2007, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Common America,
“I’m not doing anything wrong. Are you?”
Neither were the founding fathers of this country, but apparently they saw fit to limit the government’s reach into our personal information. But I guess the Constitution and provisions therein have little meaning for you.
Posted by: Amazed | March 9, 2007, 1:51 pm 1:51 pm
Mr. Common American:
Our US Constitution was written to protect us against becoming a dictatorship. If we allow our government access in ANY regard, in ANY case, then we become something far different than a democracy. These infringements were exactly the reasons “why” we have a US Constitution and we don’t live under some authoritarian government.
You obviously have no understanding of what a democracy IS.
Go read the US Constitution and what our forefathers said …
Posted by: Peter | March 9, 2007, 1:52 pm 1:52 pm
Bill of Rights
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Posted by: US_Constitution | March 9, 2007, 1:55 pm 1:55 pm
I thought the republican party was for SMALLER government. Or is it just smaller governmental oversite?
Posted by: Will | March 9, 2007, 1:56 pm 1:56 pm
I love the “if you aren’t a criminal why do you care”? Response.
If you want to waive your 4th Amendment rights go ahead. Let the police move in with you if you feel safer. Why require warrants at all?
It’s because the government is corrupted by it’s own power. It will make mistakes, then use these laws to cover them up.
Posted by: Robert | March 9, 2007, 2:02 pm 2:02 pm
Papers Please…I said we need your papers before you cross the state border…Papers Please….
Posted by: Scott | March 9, 2007, 2:12 pm 2:12 pm
If you have not done wrong, you have nothing to fear, says someone. Ever thought who defines what is wrong and what is right? In oh so many countries, e.g. critisizing goverment is WRONG. And so they would like it to be in US too.
Posted by: Mark | March 9, 2007, 2:14 pm 2:14 pm
When the FBI used the Patriot Act to get at Rush Limbaugh’s medical records, I heard NOTHING about it from the MNM. Apparently, misusing the patriot act to attack Rush is O.K.
Funny, ain’t it?
Posted by: JelloBiafra | March 9, 2007, 2:16 pm 2:16 pm
People who would trade their freedoms for security will find they soon have neither.
We survived enemies for 200 years without personal invasion such as this by the federal government. This act was unnecessary and as dangerous as anything since the Alien and Sedition Acts.
Posted by: Ben Franklin | March 9, 2007, 2:18 pm 2:18 pm
My great fear is that “Common American” does speak for the common American and that the majority of my fellow citizens and voters have actual disdain for Constitutionally guaranteed civil rights. What’s worse is they vote and I have to live under the government they select.
Posted by: Terrified | March 9, 2007, 2:20 pm 2:20 pm
It is not about whether or not YOU think you are doing something wrong. If the people obtaining the information think you are doing something wrong, you will at least be in for a big headache. That is why we need privacy laws and information needs to be obtained legally. It has nothing to do with being paranoid.
Posted by: Bob | March 9, 2007, 2:22 pm 2:22 pm
Just another abuse of the Bush Administration. Those of you who don’t care are probably the 30% that still support the war monger. You’re probably also the body that cares more about American Idol than the Americans dying everyday over in IRAQ for lies crafted by the administration.
Posted by: Derek | March 9, 2007, 2:23 pm 2:23 pm
Wow, you guys are being a little hard on the common American. I agree that the constitution was written in a sense to prevent things such as this from ocurring, but we really do need to rmember that it was written in a much different era. I love the constitution but I love freedom from terroristic fear more, and try explaining the laws of the constitution to all those that have died, military and civilian that may have been prevented by additional government power. It may sound like I’m playing part of an advocate but I really do see both sides of it. You all look at the ‘freedoms’ and privacies that have been taken away but aren’t thinking about the hundreds of lives that may have been saved over the past 6 years. Again, I love the constitution but without re-writing it, sometimes I guess rules need to be bent. And you CANNOT compare this country to any dictatorship, so think before you type!
Posted by: The Man of the Hour | March 9, 2007, 2:38 pm 2:38 pm
Common America is a fool. The government makes mistakes too. Someday they’ll confuse YOU with a terrorist. Then they’ll come to get you to take you to Guantanimo Bay. You’ll be taken away kicking and screaming saying, “you have the wrong guy.” But it’s YOU who gave them the power. Couldn’t happen in America? Think again.
Posted by: artiejose68 | March 9, 2007, 2:49 pm 2:49 pm
More truth justice and the American way. With the CIA and the FBI on the loose I don’t know who to fear the most them or the enemy.
Posted by: Jerry Hassler | March 9, 2007, 2:50 pm 2:50 pm
To Common America (and all others like you): You insult all with your IGNORANT STATEMENTS! Many Americans gave their lives so you can live the kind of life you are able to live and you pay little recognition for their sacrifice with your idiot statements! You sir are the fool!
Posted by: terry | March 9, 2007, 2:52 pm 2:52 pm
OK, so they listened in on some conversations they shouldn’t have. Was any American wrongfully imprisoned as a result of this? Was any American dragged out of their house in the middle of the night never to be seen again? Was this information used to destroy anyone’s political career, or to blackmail anyone? No! Let’s keep it in perspective. The Patriot Act has allowed law enforcement to stop numerous threats. It has saved lives. If it needs fine tuning, then let’s do it. But don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
Posted by: Ray | March 9, 2007, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
To Amazed & Peter …. rock on … we need to protect our rights no matter what ….The Patriot Act should never have been allowed because it makes our constitutional rights seem null and void …. people like the person who calls themselves a common american needs to call themselves the uneducated american …..
Posted by: Lisa | March 9, 2007, 2:53 pm 2:53 pm
I do not want the government looking at my life. They have NO right! —-Once one little person in any agency or police dept. of ours decides that they want to accuse you of something, and you have to pay for lawers and time spent then you will agree that the Patriot act is not patriotic.
Posted by: Joe | March 9, 2007, 2:55 pm 2:55 pm
To “Common American” & others of like mind…
In the immortal words of Reverend Martin Niemoller; “In Germany, they first came for the communists, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a communist. Then, they came for the Jews, and I didn’t speak up because I wasn’t a Jew. Then they came for the Catholics. I didn’t speak up then because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak up.”
Posted by: Lana | March 9, 2007, 2:57 pm 2:57 pm
It’s not a matter of “I have nothing to hide”. Our Constitution gives us the right to a certain amount of privacy and those among us who aren’t concerned about the erosion/loss of these rights need a reality check badly.
Posted by: Skeared | March 9, 2007, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
Anyone who does not think George Bush is not a dictator should consult a dictionary. Bush and his freedom robbing cabinet are the biggest privacy stealing criminals in the world. Bush will go down in history as the ass who destroyed The Constitution of America.
The worst part of it all is American’s sat back and let him get away with it all!
Posted by: Bobby | March 9, 2007, 3:10 pm 3:10 pm
To common american,
I guess you believe in guilty until proven innocent as well.
ALL of the internet sites that you have visited over the past year should be made public information (because you are perfect and have nothing to hide)
I think you should be issued a speeding ticket for evey time you sped and did not get caught. After all, you are perfect and have nothing to hide.
We should just put cameras in every room in your house 24 hours a day because you don’t have anything to hide.
We should implant a gps chip in your wrist to track your every movement . Afterall, you have nothing to hide.
The right to privacy and the concept of freedom as most citizens understand it, are intertwined.
Your idea of FREEDOM is very different than mine.
apep
Posted by: apep | March 9, 2007, 3:11 pm 3:11 pm
I AM APPALLED AT OUR GOVERNMENT PRACTICES. THEY ARE CROOKS AND DO WHAT THEY PLEASE BUT LIKE THE RET OF THE COUNTRY TO ACT AS EXEMPLERY CITIZENS. PLE-EEZE! AND THE “I SPY” TACTICS ARE JUST PLAIN DEPLORABLE.
AND GROOVY NEWT. AND HE’S BETTER THAN CLINTON BECAUSE HE FESSED UP.
THEY HAD BETTER FOCUS ON HEALTH CARE SO 10 YEAR OLDS DON’T DIE FROM TOOTH DECAY, THE ELDERLY, THE WAR HEROES AND ON AND ON. TAKE CARE OF US BEFORE YOU STICK YOUR DAMN NOSES IN EVERY OTHER COUNTRIES BUSINESS. CRIME IS JUST GOING TO KEEP ON ESCALATING UNTIL THE TRUE ISSUES ARE FOCUSED ON AND THE GOVERNMENT KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE.
Posted by: Cheryl J. | March 9, 2007, 3:19 pm 3:19 pm
OK, To those people who think,
“who cares?!?! Let them look at me…I’m not doing anything wrong. Are you?”
Everything is ok as long as those that are watching are not doing anything wrong. But, we don’t have to worry about that. There has never been a corrupt official in our government. Right? LOL… Do your research. America’s corruption within our government is widespread. That’s not opinion, that’s fact. I would give examples, but my space and time is limited here. Also, it’s not like you would listen.
There are many reasons that I can think of, for the protection of our privacy. But, what scares me the most are the reasons that I can’t think of…
Posted by: Tony | March 9, 2007, 3:28 pm 3:28 pm
With a HAPPY FACE SHILL as AG(Gonzales) propping up the worst “PRECEDENT” ever in our history and perhaps future as well, does it surprise you that the FBI turned in to “DOTING SYCOPHANTS” for them?
Posted by: daddy | March 9, 2007, 3:33 pm 3:33 pm
Ray,
“OK, so they listened in on some conversations they shouldn’t have. Was any American wrongfully imprisoned as a result of this?”
I don’t know if any American was imprisoned as a result of it and chances are that you don’t either. That’s the nature of the Patriot Act — THERE IS NO GOVERNMENTAL OVERSIGHT. Hence, people like you or I don’t know who might have been harmed as a result of eavesdropping by the government.
“Let’s keep it in perspective. The Patriot Act has allowed law enforcement to stop numerous threats. It has saved lives.”
Again, you get your information about this from where? That’s what the government tells you but never shows the evidence for it. Perhaps they have a vested interest in convincing you and others that you’re now safer as a result of the PA.
I think everyone on the left and those who are enamored with our Constitution would like Government oversight. Before the PA the government could eavesdrop as well, but there was a process — one that kept powers in check. It’s having a government with unrestrained power that scares the rest of us.
Posted by: Amazed | March 9, 2007, 5:18 pm 5:18 pm
The problem isn’t just that they are looking. It’s also that they look in the wrong directions. They claim some guy who is a low level criminal is a terrorist and miss real terrorists. They search blindly through everybody’s cell phone calls and spend a fortune that can’t be spent hunting down likely targets. Do we need another million dollar machine to look at my socks when the ports go unsearched and nuclear plants are unguarded?
The FBI admits that the NSA terrorism referrals are largely a waste of time and money and don’t result in charges.
The prosecutors admit the FBI referrals on terrorism referrals are largely a waste of time and money and drop the cases.
Who is going to admit the whole thing is a waste of time and money and start over?
Posted by: Jim | March 9, 2007, 5:21 pm 5:21 pm
And this is a suprise?
Posted by: Dale Munger | March 9, 2007, 5:51 pm 5:51 pm
“Who cares?!?! Let them look at me…I’m not doing anything wrong. Are you?” —
Oh my god. This is really scary.
Posted by: Alex | March 9, 2007, 6:44 pm 6:44 pm
To those who say “I’ve done nothing wrong, and have nothing to hide”: Can you tell us what will be illegal next year? Five years from now? Maybe things you want to do, and you consider to be acceptable, and your right to do. We need to remember how drastically things change.
A few short decades ago, abortion was illegal, and not even a subject to be discussed. Today it is neither. Violence against a non-WASP, if not outright legal, certainly got a blind eye from the law. It used to be illegal for women to vote. It used to be legal to own other humans as slaves; even to kill them. Ladies and gentlemen, things CHANGE. Big, fundamental things. What if one day, you and your spouse have two children, but the law says you’re only entitled to one? Will you be a smiling, saluting, obedient and patriotic citizen as they come to remove and execute one? What if you care for your elderly parent, but involuntary euthanasia at age 70 is mandated by the Government? What if by then YOU are the elderly parent they come for – still smiling and saluting, friends? There will be those who dismiss all this as far-fetched, and certainly, you have the right to do so (thus far!), but consider what happened in Nazi Germany; what it was like for 60 years for those under Soviet rule what; happens in China today (they have child limits, you know); what happened in this country during the McCarthy hearings; all under the authority of the law. Anything that has ever happened in human society can happen again.
I’ll close with one last illustration – in our highly polarized nation, everyone pretty well hates, fears, and disdains the political party opposite the one they embrace and subscribe to. Imagine then, that The Worst Candidate possible from the party you hate is elected President, along with a Congress 90% that party. Do you want THOSE people to decide what you can and can’t do, and have all the tools in place to “drop by” anytime, anywhere? And, would you really want them, like our current President, to tinker with the Constitution and your rights as THEY see fit? Good luck-
Posted by: think hard or else | March 9, 2007, 9:58 pm 9:58 pm
Geeze, am I amazed at some of the statements coming from people who actually don’t think it’s wrong to surrender our rights and liberties. They should remember American history and go back pre-1776 when Americans didn’t have the freedom and liberties they exercise now. And for the comment about no one was hurt by these intrusions, how do you know? It’s not like that’s going to be published anywhere. They’re not going to tell you if they drag someone off in the middle of the night. They’re not going to tell you if they use information gained about you to hurt you. They’re just going to do it. And you should look at other countries just to see how much freedom Americans do have because some of the comments here show just how much we take it for granted.
Posted by: Becky | March 10, 2007, 3:25 am 3:25 am
Most of you people are IDIOTS, The Patriot Act is nothing more then a law for Dictatorship. Come on Polosi do what we put you in Office for go for Impeachment.The Republicans went after Clinton for cheating on his wife when he wasnt even president.Only way way to prevent this from happing in the future is, Never Vote another Republican back in office.
Posted by: Bert | March 10, 2007, 6:46 am 6:46 am
this is a really conserning topic for me … some people break laws, some folo them. we live in a society that does not forgive or have understanding for circumstances that call for the need to break laws.
example… huricane kat tore up the golf and left many people stranded without food or water. now say those people had to break into a grocery store for food or water to SURVIVE. should we then jail these people? our laws say yes but i saw hell no. they were doing what they had to do.
our constitution is here to garentee us our rites and limit the powers of our govt. us american are losing those powers and it kills me to see some that say “im not doing anything wrong” that is clearly not the point. are you people so totally untouchable that you know no one that this could effect in a very negitive way and adversly affect your lives or some others that you love.
Posted by: concerned | March 10, 2007, 5:03 pm 5:03 pm
I am not willing to give up ANY of my freedom to be “safer!” If the current administration wants to abuse their power, then we as citizens need to demand that they pay the same price we would have to pay-jail or prison. Our laws need to be enforced.
Posted by: Michel Barbour | March 12, 2007, 3:47 am 3:47 am
I cannot fault the FBI entirely; the Patriot Act after all is a recent Act, a recent attempt at adapting to a more interconnected and somewhat hostile world — hostile perhaps not the appropriate word but perhaps more challenging.
Federal Bureau of Investigations is exactly that: an outfit designed to investigate both the past, the present and the future.
We have to work the kinks out; we have to work to modify the FBI’s role in a way that our Bill of Rights will not be thwarted. After all, even the agents of the FBI are Americans too, and I am sure they long to preserve our freedoms and the constitution, its articles and amendments.
Vic Walter and Justin Rood — I appreciate your reporting, and I too appreciate this opportunity to voice opinions and comments, otherwise known as the blotter.
Posted by: jose | March 12, 2007, 5:03 am 5:03 am
To Ray – your arguments are, on the surface, cool-headed and your plea to keep it in perspective is reasonable. I just read in B. Obama’s book his view that the Constitution is best as a living dialog and not an absolute, never to be interpreted again (betcha didn’t think some would call a lefty to your side here?).
My problem is that the Patriot Act and other changes are coupled with the denial of representation, speedy trials, habeus corpus and other matters of recourse. The administration has basically said they reserve the right to haul anyone off to Gitmo and hold them without trial or contact as long as they see fit, answerable to no one. Stories came out of there of Afghanis basically sold in for a false bounty, and held for years. So there is evidence.
If technology had to be brought to bear to speed up searches in mission critical situations, great. Let’s bring some better technical minds to bear and exhaust that avenue before we override the one document we’re supposed to defend more than any other.
Posted by: dave | March 12, 2007, 11:21 pm 11:21 pm
Thanks Common American. Please provide your bank account information, account passwords, credit card numbers, you know – all the stuff that thousands and thousands of people should have – after all, you’re not doing anything wrong and golly – heaven only knows Bush doesn’t allow anyone in government who would, you know, scam Target or filch an apartment meant for 911 workers to use for affairs or stuff like that.
Everyone is good, kind and wonderful and really, you were thinking of inviting them all over for your colonoscopy anway.
BTW – those acocunt numbers I was asking for up there – they’ll only be used to buy the world a Coke. Honest.
Posted by: Mary | March 13, 2007, 6:02 pm 6:02 pm
When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty.
Thomas Jefferson
I think this administration is so conservative that it believes that the American people should believe and behave according to it’s standards. And if not, it will identify and persecute those who do not conform. That is not democracy; it is tyranny.
America has the reputation of being a “melting pot” of peoples and ideas. The government should reflect that spirit and acknowledge the true wealth of the
American people.
Posted by: Thomas | March 17, 2007, 10:59 am 10:59 am
A great and funny post, MARY, my hat is off to one who sees that the republican types have latched on to the “dumbing down of USA” crusade that the bush cheney cabal brought forth. It hung up the MAINSCREAM media as well in case you have noticed that.
Posted by: daddy | March 20, 2007, 10:19 am 10:19 am
Dems & Leftists & ACLU have me dis-
gusted.You certainly don’t appre-ciate the extent of freedom that we have & the need to protect it.
U R omitting the word UN-reason-able from the 4th.Thank God, we have protection & ways to reveal evil-doers. I have NOTHING to hide
& certainly do not mistrust my elected officials. Of course they
make mistakes. “Be sure your sins will find U out” is a scriptual truth. We have the BEST govern
ment on the planet,tho at times abused. Our system would never be-come tyranical there are checks & balances thruout. No one is trying to take THEM away. Look around & see where you could find a better homeland
Posted by: American Indian | March 21, 2007, 11:35 am 11:35 am