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Note that “PART 3” of this 11/29/2001 memo giving guidance on how reporting is to be done is titled “Amerithrax Pending Persons of Interest.”

To: All Field Offices Date: 11/29/2001
Counterterrorism
Investigative Services

Title: AMERITHRAX
MAJOR CASE 184
OO: WF

Synopsis: The purpose of this EC is to emphasize the importance of captioned investigation; to insure that it receive the highest priority; and to insure coordination in the reporting of investigative information.

Details: - As you know five (5) individuals have died of Anthrax inhalation. Because the FBI’s investigative efforts may prevent a prospective death, all investigative leads, no matter how material must be exhaustively, aggressively, and immediately addressed. The public safety depends on the FBI’s response and leadership.

For this reason alone, as well as the extraordinary scrutiny that both the Amerithrax and the Pentbomb investigations are receiving, inside and outside of the government and the criminal justice community, it is imperative that investigative efforts and commitment of resources receive your personal attention, personal direction and highest priority.

One of the hallmarks of the FBI, over the years, has been quality and timeliness efforts throughout the country. This has never been as important, and necessary as now.

Each office, if not already done is to designate an agent of point (POC). Preferably, the Agent should be Weapons of Mass Destructi[on] (WMD) trained or science trained agent. “Please contact WTO Case Agent Dave ______ at 202-XXX-XXXX, Bob Roth at XXX-XXX_XXX or SSA John Kerr XXX-XXX-XXXX with the POC and direct contact numbers, i.e., office, pager and cellular.

Secondly, as many offices are aware daily updates are furnished to IIC Tom Carey at SIOC and the Director is personally briefed two times daily for subsequent briefings by the Director with the Administration, i.e., the Attorney General and the President. In this respect, a daily report has been formatted showing investigative results by those offices with active investigation. This report, not only focuses with active investigation. This report, not only focuses investigative efforts, but also is beneficial in overall coordination, and is the primary vehicle for the above briefings.

The reporting format is as follows:

1. Amerithrax Summary of Incidents

This is a summary of victims, their condition, and status by Divsion. It is self explanatory and relatively static.

2. Ameritharx Investigative Update

REDACTED

PART 3 Amerithrax Pending Persons of Interest

This section must be detailed similar to a prospective presentation to an AUSA, i.e., bio/background, how developed as person of interest, on-going investigation [REDACTED ] and daily investigative results. A brief statement that investigation is “pending” is simply inadequate.

The investigation update must be submitted to WFO, daily no later than 1:00 p.m, attention SA Michael Carroll and by E-Mail only.

Each SAC is advised to insure that, as long as there is investigation outstanding in their respective Division, this report is submitted as requested. Secondly, each SAC is advised to insure that, as long as there investigation outstanding in their respective Division, this report is submitted as requested. Secondly, each SAC is requested to personally insure that all investigation (that requested by lead, and all logical follow-on investigation) is aggressively and immediately conducted and reported. Experienced, aggressive, creative Agents should be assigned this investigation in order to insure all logical investigation is conducted, and not just that requested as defined in a lead.

Amerithrax and Pentbomb are the two (2) most important investigations existing and must be handled as such.