Posted on 09/12/2017 11:15:40 AM PDT by wtd
Federal law enforcement agents working the Imran Awan and Hina Alvi fraud probe said the couple, along with other members of the family, were never properly vetted for Congressional security clearances.
Instead the clearances, which provided the Awans access to dozens of Congressional Democrats computer networks and IT systems, were likely approved absent each individual background file getting fully investigated.
I seriously doubt they could have passed a full background (check), one FBI insider said. These clearances were pushed through.
FBI insiders used the word forged to describe the process of what happened to the Awan files. Federal law enforcement sources with knowledge of the case divulged:
Either someone with clout in Congress, or higher, made sure the Awans received their security clearances despite glaring problems or the investigators pushed their files through for approval as part of a systemic breakdown.
Many assertions in the Awan-linked applications and files could not be verified by subsequent FBI vetting as part of the criminal case now pending against Imran and Hina. The files are problematic, FBI sources said.
The FBI did not conduct the background checks on members of the Awan family who were granted security clearances in Congress..
A former FBI section chief and security clearance expert said this type of malfeasance is commonplace in D.C.
The Inspector General found widespread fraud in firms conducting Congressional and government background checks, often cutting corners to approve files without vetting the applicants.
This type of overt government malfeasance regarding security clearances is very common, according to former FBI section chief Michael F. McMahon. As an agent, McMahon was the FBIs key whistle blower on the troublesome gaps plaguing the federal system rubber stamps security clearances for unqualified applicants.
I do not know agency or agencies that performed background investigations on Awan and cohorts, McMahon said. The FBI is the bellwether or gold standard by which vetting, background checks, name checks are conducted throughout the intelligence community.
But McMahon said the FBI does not conduct background checks for Congressional aides like the Awan-linked family, even though the personnel are granted access to classified intelligence. Instead the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is tasked with providing security clearances for such employees and hires subcontractors to do the work. The results can be quite haphazard, McMahon said.
Federal agents with knowledge of the Awan investigation echo McMahon: The FBI did not work the cases which provided the Awans access to a treasure trove of government intelligence, including the emails of over two dozens Democratic member of Congress.
This is not something new in Washington, D.C.
According to a 2014 audit by the U.S. Office of the Inspector General, which oversees OPM, thousands of background clearances for Congress and elsewhere in government were forged, or pushed through without more than a few minutes of investigation.
Among many failures, the IG found OPM had no way or verifying if all components of each applicants security clearance file had been vetted. One company, USIS which likely conducted the majority of Awan background sweeps for Congress, was caught forcing through thousands of security clearance cases without having examined their contents, the report shows. One USIS investigator approved over 15,000 case files in one month with most of these occurring within minutes of each other on multiple days, according to the report. USIS conducted clearance sweeps for OPM until late 2014 when the businesses folded.
Portion of the Inspector Generals Finding on OPM Fraud on security clearances.
Former FBI McMahon said USIS forged as many as 665,000 federal security clearances.
McMahon has been trying to meet with President Donald Trump to discuss ways to seal the dangerous trap doors in government background checks.
If the FBI had fixed the name check issues when I blew the whistle and held those responsible publicly accountable while in FBI during 2008 to 2009 or thereafter, I believe Navy Yard killer, Riverside killers, Mr. Manning, Mr. Snowden and the 665,000 falsified USIS background checks might never had occurred, he said.
Help an old man out with my question below:
In todays world does one have to be born in America and have American parents to get a TS/SCI clearance besides being checked out personally for most of your life.
Belief.
And I agree that it's really common.
There are those prone to corruption, and there are those who are forced to stay quiet. There is no third group. So unless you come from the planet krypton and neither you nor anyone you care about is susceptible to threat, I wish you luck in your political career.
Perhaps there's not a third group, but I for one would find great joy in rooting out corruption and holding those in government to account. (I also have a few ideas that will shake things up [esp. WRT how corporations have such bought-influence] and they really fall under one general theme: enforce the law.)
As I said upthread: I want leaders who strive for Justice.
You wont get past the party bosses vetting system, let alone have any chance to get into the swamp and get dirty.
Perhaps, perhaps not… I do think that God is still active in the goings-on on Earth and still working miracles though.
If I were AG, you'd see Senators being prosecuted for Treason.
; )
Barry Hussein?
My “all so complicated” comment is the excuse we will hear from our elected representatives and the media excuse makers like all those wonderful people at FOX.
As to “who all is in on the game”, they all are....every single politician, judge and bureaucrat. How else did they attain their positions? THEY ARE ALL SCUM!!!!
PS.....and not a one will do time
.
btt
Why are “authorities” and “leaders” so fearful of enforcing the rule of law? Are they all compromised or complicit. How pathetic. Are there no patriots at those levels of responsibility?
Really, Crooks in Congress, hiring foreign crooks to control/sell give away our nation’s secrets.
Whodda Thunk.
Really, Crooks in Congress...that is so outrageous. /s
No longer required, not my idea just stating fact.
Probably hasn’t been true since the late 1970s.
Ingress and egress from the District should require passage through a dip tank and fumigant spray.
The infection and rot in DC is just beyond belief.
...I never can think of Judas Iscariot without losing my temper. To my mind Judas Iscariot was nothing but a low, mean, premature, Congressman.
- “Foster’s Case,” New York Tribune, 10 March 1873
Notice that every time one of these corps. (whether this scandal or some other) gets called to task, the problem is ALWAYS solved with money.
Nobody goes to jail for fraud. Nobody goes to jail for whatever damages may have been done due to such frauds, ie spies allowed to work within the system due to fraudulent background checks.
The cure-all is ALWAYS $$$$$$$
....and purely for the hell of it, WHO gets this money? WHERE does it go? Perhaps it takes a midnight plane ride to Teheran....
Grampa Dave wrote: "Help an old man out with my question below:In todays world does one have to be born in America and have American parents to get a TS/SCI clearance"
Sorry, I have no idea what the 'current' rules are. It does seem like government 'rules' are quite elastic given the last few administration's application of any pre-existing ones.
FWIW:
Depends on who's president (smirk).
QUESTION: In todays world does one have to be born in America and have American parents to get a TS/SCI clearance besides being checked out personally for most of your life.
Depends on who’s president (smirk).
Amazing how the Deep State controls us at all levels.
Not a smidgen of corruption, instead, WIDESPREAD corruption.
She joined our ASA USAR unit about 1980 and passed the SBI for her TS/SCI. She already was fluent in German of course. She picked up MOS 98G at Ft. Devens. Later she went with us to Germany and worked live mission. That was shortly before the fall of East Germany and the USSR.
She went on to become a Warrant Officer in our unit.
Her husband has since died and she's retired and living in Florida.
She is the only case I'm aware of where a naturalized Citizen obtained a TS/SCI, but there must be others. Uncle doesn't make exceptions for just one person.
Thanks for the feedback.
Sounds like this woman was cloned for your team.
A former FBI section chief and security clearance expert said this type of malfeasance is commonplace in D.C.
The Inspector General found widespread fraud in firms conducting Congressional and government background checks, often cutting corners to approve files without vetting the applicants.
You have my vote.
From wickapedia piece Liz posted. Drags up name of an original swamper: the Carlyle Group:
Xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxx
Dusting off the Carlyle Group you’ll find ties to bush/bin ladens iirc.
Will sniff around on this & be back
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.