Posted on 04/29/2006 12:09:24 PM PDT by radar101
Federal authorities have begun a criminal investigation into who leaked confidential FBI documents
The investigation will be conducted by the U.S. attorney's office in San Diego.
Attorneys representing Pellicano and six others under indictment in the wiretapping scandal also have been given FBI investigative reports known as "302s" and other documents in the case. Under a protective order issued by U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer almost four weeks ago, they can share the information only with their clients and potential witnesses.
The confidential information was first disclosed two weeks ago, when the New York Times published the first of several stories citing FBI reports of interviews in the investigation, which has spanned more than three years.
The reports were on computer discs turned over to defense attorneys April 5, two days after Fischer ordered that the information not be disclosed. Federal authorities are conducting two other leak investigations in California to determine who divulged confidential information in a recently completed terrorist prosecution in Lodi and a grand jury investigation in San Francisco into the use of steroids by professional athletes.
Those who are found to have leaked documents or other evidence in violation of a protective order could be found in contempt of court and fined, imprisoned or both. Newspapers and other media outlets, however, are not prohibited from publishing the information.
While several defense attorneys have privately denounced the leaks as a ploy to sully individuals not yet charged and divert attention from those already indicted, prosecutors are clearly concerned.
"They won't walk away from it," said one federal law enforcement source who is not involved in the case. "Part of the reason grand jury proceedings are secret is that you don't want to publicly identify people who might never be charged in a case.
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I certainly hope that the leaks name Pellicanos's most famous clients, the clintons, the LA Times sure won't.
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