Posted on 11/17/2005 5:42:18 AM PST by Rutles4Ever
FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., is opening an internal investigation after two Chicago Bears team members got into an altercation following an outing at an FBI gun range, officials said Wednesday.
Part of the investigation will look into whether alcohol was served at the end of the outing, after Bears players were finished trying out weapons at the FBI's North Chicago shooting range, authorities said. Sources have told the Chicago Sun-Times that liquor was served during a barbecue.
"We are 100 percent sure there was no alcohol at any time in which firearms were being used," FBI spokesman Frank Bochte said.
The FBI agent who helped arrange for the liaison day at the gun range is also a longtime volunteer security adviser for the Bears.
Advises team on security threats
FBI Special Agent Thomas Dillon, a 26-year FBI veteran, is on the field at all home games and typically on the sidelines, not far from Coach Lovie Smith. Dillon has had a formal agreement with the Chicago FBI office for years giving him permission to act as a security adviser to the Bears, and an FBI spokesman was quick to say the FBI does not think there's anything inappropriate about Dillon's arrangement.
They say Dillon has always been open about his role with the Bears. In fact, in an interview with the Sun-Times in recent months, Dillon discussed his position with the Bears and noted it was voluntary. Dillon has been a special agent since 1979 and commander of the SWAT team since 1999.
FBI agents are not allowed to hold any other paying jobs. Dillon's role with the Bears is purely on a voluntary basis, Soldier Field general manager Tim Lefevour reiterated Wednesday.
Lefevour said Dillon has long advised the Bears on national security threats, including weapons of mass destruction or any other national security issues.
About a dozen Bears players were at the FBI gun range in North Chicago on Nov. 7.
The FBI runs similar liaison shoots with other groups, including members of the corporate community and the media. Though Dillon played a role in arranging the liaison day, Bochte said the "front office" had final approval.
At some point later that day, right tackle Fred Miller got into a fight with center Olin Kreutz, and Miller's jaw was fractured. Miller originally said he was injured in a fall at home.
Alcohol not allowed at facility
The FBI headquarters' inquiry is not criminal in nature and comes after the Chicago office asked it to look into the matter.
"At the request of the Chicago special agent in charge, the Inspection Division at FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., will open an internal investigation into this matter," said Special Agent Richard Kolko, a national FBI spokesman.
Bochte said it is common for a field office to ask headquarters to separately look into such matters and determine whether an investigation by Washington is warranted or whether the local office can continue the probe.
Sources wouldn't confirm or deny that the fight took place at the facility but have said players were on their own with no FBI agents present. They also said players began drinking at the facility while enjoying a barbecue with FBI instructors and agents attending a terrorist training program.
"One of the things we're looking into is whether alcohol was on the premises, and if it was, who brought it in," Bochte said. Alcohol is not allowed in the facility.
At a news conference Wednesday, Smith noted the team has a "great relationship" with the FBI.
"All I know is we know the circumstances that happened didn't have much to do with them as I see it," Smith said of the FBI. "The guys that were involved are paying the price. We're not looking to blame anyone else."
Contributing: Annie Sweeney, Mike Mulligan, Brad Biggs
It must be said: The FBI is stuck on stupid.
***Support the Right to Keep and Arm Bears.
So which one of them was gay?
That's funny stuff!
While the FBI protects a football team, the Donk Party steals elections.
Now, now be nice. These six wins have actually been deserved, not like that phony 13 win season. That was dumb luck (IMO).
Anyway, I read about the fracas yesterday and the first thing that came mind was, "do these guys have valid IL FOID cards?" If not they should be in deep doo-doo with the IL State Police. Heck you can't even handle a bullet without that stupid card.
And now that ten more players were at the range, that question is even more important. Just because you're at an FBI range is irrelevant.
He-he....he-he....he said "outing"
You can't even handle a bullet without an IL FOID card?
I hadn't realized the state of Illinois was that draconian.
We make fun of Kalifornia but IL sounds worse.
LOL! brilliant!
You mock what you fear. Must be a Packers fan.
Yep, that's true. In many ways IL is worse.
When you go into any store for ammo (Sport store to Gun shop), they won't even let you touch the box without you pulling out the stupid FOID card. And when you later pay at the register, out comes the card again.
And handling a firearm, fugetaboutit. That thing stays in the rack or case until the counter dude has inspected your card up, down and sideways. This include black powder weapons.
And at least in CA., they have CCW is some form. Not in IL, never have (almost did a few years back). The only thing for now where CA is worse is the AWB.
Sorry. That was meant as a private reply.
If a non-resident gets stopped for a traffic infraction and the officer sees a box of .22's on the dash, does the driver (unable to produce a "FOID")get arrested for violation of a gun law?
Regarding the story, I too read about the "altercation" and can't believe it's gone this far!
No, actually I'm an astonished Bears fan. Sadly, this season will only convince Jerry Angelo that Kyle Orton is a good quarterback. One day, we will play an actual NFL team (Carolina coming) and the truth shall be revealed.
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