Leak Probes Stymied, FBI Memos Show

The New York Sun ^ | January 10, 2007 | By JOSH GERSTEIN Staff Reporter of the Sun

[aculeus]

A lack of cooperation from one or more intelligence agencies led the FBI to abandon several recent criminal investigations into leaks of classified information to the press, records obtained by The New York Sun indicate.

In January 2005, an FBI official asked the Justice Department to close three pending leak inquiries because the "victim agency" repeatedly refused to assist the probes. The FBI's contact at the agency "has been uncooperative with the investigating field office and on numerous occasions failed to return phone calls or provide the case agent with requested documents pertinent to the investigation," the memo said, adding that the agency "cancelled personnel interviews, security briefings and meetings at the last minute and failed to reschedule for another time."

"None of the cases can proceed without the cooperation of the substantive unit at the victim agency, therefore the FBI considers all logical leads covered," the FBI official wrote. Within days or weeks, the cases were closed.

The memo, which was among more than 300 pages of leak investigation files released to the Sun this week under the Freedom of Information Act, was heavily redacted by the FBI, which removed the name of the writer, the identity of the intelligence agency involved, and nearly all details about the alleged leaks.

The documents provide a rare window into the Bush administration's effort to combat leaks of classified information that the administration has said are damaging national security in wartime. "At some point in time, it would be helpful if we can find somebody inside our government who is leaking materials, clearly against the law, that they be held to account," the president said at a press conference last month. "Perhaps the best way to make sure people don't leak classified documents is that there be a consequence for doing so."

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

What about "cooperate or you're FIRED!",

or, "cooperate or you'll be thrown in PRISON!"?

[weegee]

Media Schadenfreude and Media Shenanigans PING

[expatpat]

It appears that our intelligence agencies have been fully penetrated by socialists.

[Txsleuth]

Check THIS out....

I wonder WHY Congress isn't all over this? Could it be because part of Congress doesn't want the truth out???

[mewzilla]

This is why we have grand juries.....

[redgirlinabluestate]

I am starting to think there really is some sort of cabal within our own government working against us.

[Howlin]

What and where is the "victim agency?"

[Dog]

Just damn.

[greyfoxx39]

Ya think?

[TheKidster]

Wow, so if you're under an FBI investigation all you have to do is cancel interviews and refuse to cooperate and you're off the hook!

I wonder if that would work for us citizens/serfs?

[M. Dodge Thomas]

Leaks are a routine way of "pursuing policy by other means" in Washington, and this administration - like its predecessors and its critics - has made use of such channels when convenient.

So its hardly surprising that the Executive branch in not in a hurry to set the precedent of aggressively pursuing such cases unless there are real and pressing national security issues at stake: "Sauce for the goose", etc.

[sissyjane]

Am I shocked? No! Disgusted? YES!

[gov_bean_ counter]

The FBI's contact at the agency "has been uncooperative with the investigating field office and on numerous occasions failed to return phone calls or provide the case agent with requested documents pertinent to the investigation," the memo said, adding that the agency "canceled personnel interviews, security briefings and meetings at the last minute and failed to reschedule for another time."

Don't think the FBI tried hard enough.

[Bahbah]

What would happen to me if I refused to cooperate with the FBI? I guess they would just go away and leave me along. Right!

[Mo1]

In January 2005, an FBI official asked the Justice Department to close three pending leak inquiries because the "victim agency" repeatedly refused to assist the probes. The FBI's contact at the agency "has been uncooperative with the investigating field office and on numerous occasions failed to return phone calls or provide the case agent with requested documents pertinent to the investigation," the memo said, adding that the agency "cancelled personnel interviews, security briefings and meetings at the last minute and failed to reschedule for another time."

I WANT NAMES!!

[listenhillary]

Stop the paychecks of those that didn't cooperate. Problem solved.

[listenhillary]

Move their desks down with the rats and take their red staplers.

[Zack Nguyen]

However, a former Justice Department official said the vast majority of leak probes originate at the CIA.

What a shame.

[PhiKapMom]

FBI probably made one call and that was it. I have absolutely zero faith in the FBI at this point!