D.C. FBI Chief Regrets Leaks and Labels in Anthrax Case

Washington Post ^ | 9/30/2003 | Carol D. Leonnig

[TrebleRebel]

The new director of the FBI's Washington field office said yesterday it was unfortunate that former military scientist Steven J. Hatfill was named a "person of interest" in the investigation of the 2001 anthrax attacks, adding that he generally finds the phrase to be vague and unhelpful.

Michael A. Mason, an 18-year FBI veteran who took over the 700-agent office this month, said he regretted that the investigation had been "beset by leaks" about Hatfill being under the FBI's scrutiny. He said Attorney General John D. Ashcroft was responding to such leaks when he told reporters that Hatfill was a "person of interest" in the probe.

Mason, 45, said he objects to that phrase in all cases and prefers to identify people only when they are formal suspects and the FBI has enough evidence to charge them with a crime. Naming someone as a person of interest does not help an investigation, he said, and can unfairly harm a person's reputation.

[TrebleRebel]

ping

[Sacajaweau]

btt

[Sacajaweau]

Can you say Rosenberg?

[mewzilla]

adding that he generally finds the phrase to be vague and unhelpful.

Not as much as Hatfill does I'll bet.

[marktwain]

I don't follow your comment. The Rosenbergs were guilty. I find it rather interesting that an FBI agent would make these comments with an ongoing lawsuit by Hatfill.

It seems a vertible admission of guilt by the FBI.

[TrebleRebel]

Rosenberg, as in Barbara Hatch Rosenberg.

[BlackbirdSST]

He said Attorney General John D. Ashcroft was responding to such leaks when he told reporters that Hatfill was a "person of interest" in the probe.

There's a BIG difference in "responding to leaks", and fueling speculation. Blackbird.

[Tarheel]

"It's very hard to take that back if you're wrong," Mason said, citing the case of Richard Jewell, who was wrongly accused in the 1996 Olympics bombing. "In my mind, there is absolutely zero value to coming forward with names or definitions of persons of interest."

I found the above paragragh very interesting. The question remains is how much money will Hatfield walk away with now that he has filed a lawsuit.

The Tarheel

[mewzilla]

If it were me, there wouldn't be enough money on the planet.

[aristeides]

Has Mason taken Van Harp's old job?

[Dr. Scarpetta]

They should have named Saddam as a "person of interest."

[Orangedog]

Gotta agree on that. This guys life is pretty much ruined since he's been pretty much unemployable since this started.

[eno_]

OTOH it is very refreshing to see someone without the "blue wall of silence" attitude.

[freeperfromnj]

Interesting question.

[eno_]

Or it could be POSSIBLE that Ashcrost is a giant boob.

[af_vet_1981]

Interesting timing to smear Ashcroft, or just coincidence?

If Hatfill were innocent, did not Ashcroft smear him ?
Who suffered consequences ?