Informant: Subway Plot No Hoax

Oct. 11, 2005 — -- The original informant who prompted the terror alert on New York City's subways last week is sticking to his story, and there is no basis to conclude the threat was a hoax, sources involved in the investigation of the plot told ABC News.

When last spoken to by interrogators, the original informant has remained firm in his statement that there was in fact a plot.

"He has not recanted nor in any way said anything to indicate that he believes his original info was false," an official told ABC News.

No Contact Between Sources

Citing government sources, several media outlets reported today that information that led to heightened security for the New York City transit system was a hoax.

Those reports said three men arrested in Iraq with suspected links to the possible plot had been interviewed and underwent lie detector tests that showed they knew nothing about such a plan.

It was on the basis of those polygraph sessions, plus additional information, that authorities (including the FBI and the New York Police Department) decided the threat was no longer credible, the report said.

But as of earlier today, authorities had not spoken to the original informant since the three captives were interrogated and told authorities there was no plot.

Bombs in Baby Carriages

On Monday, the New York Police Department scaled back increased security measures put in place in response to a potential plot to attack the New York City transit system.

Last Thursday, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said the city had received information about a "specific threat," and would respond accordingly.

But soon after the threat was made public, officials in Washington downplayed the report.

The threat reportedly involved remote-controlled bombs in briefcases and baby carriages, and was scheduled to take place on or around this past Sunday.

ABC News' Richard Esposito contributed to this report.