FBI questions DEP scientist (anthrax tip)

wfsb ^ | 2/17/04

[knak]

Hartford-(AP) -- F.B.I. agents are reportedly asking questions about an anonymous tip received during the deadly 2001 anthrax scare.

According to a document obtained by The Hartford Courant, the F.B.I. summoned a scientist from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection to the bureau's office in Washington D.C. last week.

The newspaper did not name the scientist, but said investigators wanted to know whether he wrote a letter accusing a fellow E.P.A. scientist of being a potential terrorist.

The scientist told federal investigators on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the letter, but the document suggests he might be subjected to a lie-detector test.

Five people died and 17 others were sickened in the mail attacks.

Federal investigators have always said the anonymous letter had no bearing on their hunt for the anthrax killer. It's unclear whether last week's interview represents a change in that belief or simply a search for new clears.

[knak]

more info in this newsday article

FBI questions scientist about anonymous letter from anthrax scare

[cardinal4]

Im fairly certain we already have the guy responsible in custody. He was found in a spiderhole in Iraq.

[FairOpinion]

Do you suppose they are about to realize that the original tip, which they spent years investigating, is phony?

[oceanview]

so the tipster is being grilled, while the possible suspect is just hanging out?

[oceanview]

well, that's what the investigation is for. it may not be "phony" per say, it just may not pan out. "phony" to me implies it was a deliberate lie.

[Shermy]

This letter was sent after the press was full of stories about biowar, asymetrical warfare, and Atta's cropduster queries...so it didn't come out of the blue, and could be inspired by the media coverage.

[jpl]

Do you suppose they are about to realize that the original tip, which they spent years investigating, is phony?

I think pretty much everyone other than the biggest far-left whackjobs like Don Foster realizes by now that Hatfill had absolutely nothing to do with it. The FBI almost certainly rues the day they ever listened to a nut like Barbara Hatch Rosenberg simply because she has the title of "Professor". Personally, I wouldn't even give her testimony the dignity of calling it a "tip".

[Cold Heat]

Would this be the woman who reportedly fingered Hatfil.

I will bet it is. I can't recall her name offhand.

[Cold Heat]

Barbara Hatch Rosenberg

yeah, that is the one.

[John H K]

No, this has nothing to do with Rosenberg, OR Hatfill, for that matter. You have to read the article.

The anonymous letter was sent Sept. 26, 2001 from a northern Virginia mailbox. It accused Egyptian-born scientist Ayaad Assaad of being a "religious fanatic" with the "means and will" to launch a bioterrorist attack against the United States.

Interesting that they're still investigating the letter (Assaad was cleared long ago, before you all get excited), as the whole situation with that letter has been public since 2001.

[Allan]

ping

[jpl]

Yes, Rosenberg was the one who initially fingered Hatfill, with a good bit of assistance from New York Times columnist Nicholas D. Kristof.

[TADSLOS]

so the tipster is being grilled, while the possible suspect is just hanging out?

Sure, it's the old FBI double reverse, make 'em sweat and everybody go long play. Surely you've heard of it. It won 'em the '93 Waco Championship.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Good post. This whole mystery bugs me. Here's a another version from WTNH via AP.

FBI questions scientist about anonymous letter from anthrax scare

(Hartford-AP, Feb. 17, 2004 9:30 AM) _ FBI agents are reportedly asking questions about an anonymous tip received during the deadly 2001 anthrax scare.

According to a document obtained by The Hartford Courant, the FBI summoned a scientist from the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection to the bureau's office in Washington DC last week.

The newspaper did not name the scientist, but said investigators wanted to know whether he wrote a letter accusing a fellow EPA scientist of being a potential terrorist.

The scientist told federal investigators on Wednesday that he had nothing to do with the letter, but the document suggests he might be subjected to a lie-detector test.

Five people died and 17 others were sickened in the mail attacks.

Federal investigators have always said the anonymous letter had no bearing on their hunt for the anthrax killer. It's unclear whether last week's interview represents a change in that belief or simply a search for new clues.

[LurkedLongEnough]

Gives you a nice fuzzy feeling that the story isn't being echoed by the major media, doesn't it?

[FairOpinion]

"phony" to me implies it was a deliberate lie.

===

And how do you know it wasn't a deliberate lie?

[oceanview]

my point was, has there been enough of an investigation against the alleged perp to demonstrate that it was phony, or are they just going after the guy who gave the tip?

[Cold Heat]

, this has nothing to do with Rosenberg, OR Hatfill,

OK, you are right. I did not read the whole thing.

[Mitchell]

Do you suppose they are about to realize that the original tip, which they spent years investigating, is phony?

What are you suggesting is false? The idea that the letter is connected to anthrax mailings? Or the tip that this unnamed scientist is the author of the letter?