Agent accused of blocking probe is sent to Ohio

Associated Press ^ | Friday, June 7, 2002 | Paul Singer

[Printers Angel]

CLEVELAND -- The supervisor at FBI headquarters accused of blocking the investigation into the only person facing criminal charges in the Sept. 11 attacks is working in Cleveland on a terrorism task force.

Michael Maltbie, who did not respond to repeated requests for comment, was criticized in a scathing letter sent to FBI Director Robert Mueller by Coleen Rowley, a lawyer in the FBI's Minneapolis office.

She said Maltbie and others at FBI headquarters thwarted her office's investigation of Zacarias Moussaoui, who has been charged as an accomplice in the hijackings that killed more than 3,000 people.

Although Maltbie was not identified by name in Rowley's letter, U.S. sources speaking on condition of anonymity identified him as the supervisory special agent she singled out for criticism.

Rowley said the agent "seemed to have been consistently, almost deliberately thwarting the Minneapolis FBI agents' efforts.''

Robert Hawk, an FBI spokesman in Cleveland, would confirm only that Maltbie came to Cleveland from Washington, and referred all other questions to Washington.

Agents commonly transfer from headquarters to field offices.

[Printers Angel]

Why do we keep shuffling these incompetent jokers around?

[chiefqc]

He should have been transfered to jail.

Hope you have nightmares you stupid as***le.

Were any of your friends or family in the Towers 9/11?

[Bikers4Bush]

Well that's just freakin' fantastic. That yahoo is probably here screwing up every investigation of the Jihadist nutjobs that have more than likely infected parts of the west side.

The muslim community here has been infiltrated by terrorist scumbags that will probably never be caught if this steamer is allowed to continue stinking the joint up.

Just great, thanks D.C. you idiots.

[Dante3]

Why did he block the probe? Some vested interests? Or another Hanssen?

His transfer reminds me of some in the Catholic Church transferring the pedophile priests.

[Wm Bach]

If Bush were serious about this war on terrorism, he'd have this agent tried for treason.

[Sub-Driver]

so I guess when u screw up the penalty is Cleveland?

[genefromjersey]

Jeez ! I would have thought he might have gotten an "upgrade and transfer" to...hmmm...Got it !
Anti-Terrorism Coordinator,Pinniped Division, Pribiloff Islands . ( That way, he could brag : " Yas, I do a lot of hush-hush work with the Seals ! " )

[Publius6961]

The supervisor at FBI headquarters accused of blocking the investigation into the only person facing criminal charges in the Sept. 11 attacks is working in Cleveland on a terrorism task force.

Is there no concept of "incompetence" in federal employment?
Why is this clown still working for us? Fire his useless butt!

[steve50]

Because they know where the skeletons are buried, can't touch em.

[appeal2]

I hear there's an opening in the office in the Aleutian Islands.

[BlackbirdSST]

Why do we keep shuffling these incompetent jokers around? This article fails to mention that in the scheme of thing's, this thug got a promotion. Just the way it is! They need more money, more agents, and more time, damnit. Blackbird.