Posted on 10/10/2001 9:31:02 AM PDT by The Energizer
Pataki taps Kallstrom, former FBI official who led Flight 800 crash probe, as security chief
NEW YORK (AP) James Kallstrom, the former local FBI chief who led the investigation into the crash of TWA Flight 800, was named Wednesday to head a new state Office of Public Security.
The appointment is part of the state's effort to protect citizens after the Sept. 11 attacks that brought down the World Trade Center.
In annoucing the appointment, Gov. George Pataki called Kallstrom ``a leader who is widely respected throughout the law enforcement community for his extraordinary expertise, ability and judgment.''
Kallstrom, 58, retired from the FBI at the end of 1997 after a 28-year career. A former Marine Corps captain who served in Vietnam, Kallstrom also worked on the 1993 World Trade Center terrorist bombing case and helped bring down mobster John Gotti.
As head of the FBI's TWA Flight 800 investigation in 1996, Kallstrom became a fixture on national television with his daily briefings on the disaster. The crash was eventually blamed on mechanical problems with the plane.
Kallstrom left the FBI to become senior executive vice president with credit card giant MBNA Inc. He later was hired by CBS News as a law enforcement consultant.
Think of how much money can be saved by the State of NY by using the SAME press release for every catastrophe:
"Security Chief Kallstrom today announced that results of the preliminary investigation of (INSERT CALAMITY HERE) indicate the tragedy was the result of a stray spark in a nearly empty fuel tank. Additional facts will be provided in Security Chief Kallstorm's news conference today at (INSERT TIME HERE)."
Why else would anyone hire this guy?
I'm sure by reassuring the Sheeple that TWW800 was NOT a terrorist attack, he learned much in how to control the New York missile witnesses. Skills that should come in handy if any New Yorkers witness a subway attack. "Only cleaning solution was used. Nothing to fear. Move along."
Pataki needs his head examined for hiring this fool. I wouldn't want him as a crossing guard at the local elementary school.
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