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| Hatfill Sues U.S. Over Anthrax Probe |
| 2003-08-26 |
| The bioterrorism expert under scrutiny in the 2001 anthrax attacks filed a lawsuit Tuesday accusing Attorney General John Ashcroft and other government officials of trampling his constitutional rights and using him as a scapegoat for their failure to make an arrest in the case. Dr. Steven J. Hatfill claims that, by labeling him a "person of interest" in the case, Ashcroft and other federal authorities have destroyed his reputation and ruined his job prospects. Does the Atlanta Olympic bombing case come to mind? "Mr. Ashcroft acted to protect both his department’s and his own political future and public image at the expense of Dr. Hatfill’s constitutional rights," said the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court. I’d say this ball is more in the FBI’s court than Ashcroft, but this will get his attention. The lawsuit also said Hatfill is under constant surveillance, leaving him unable to freely talk to his girlfriend, family or friends. Hatfill is seeking unspecified damages from Ashcroft, the Justice Department, the FBI and other current and former FBI and Justice Department officials. Including J.Edgar Hoover. The FBI had no immediate comment. The Washington FBI office is leading the probe of the October 2001 attacks in which anthrax-laced envelopes were sent to government and media offices. Five people died and 17 others sickened. Hatfill has denied any involvement. Law enforcement officials have said he is not a suspect and that no evidence links him to the letters. But he is the only publicly disclosed person of interest in the case. Well, he is a single white male. Since June 2001, investigators have searched Hatfill’s Frederick apartment multiple times, as well as a storage unit in Florida and his girlfriend’s resident. Nothing linking him to the attacks has been found. Not even in that Maryland pond. Last May, Hatfill was struck by a vehicle being driven by an FBI employee who was tailing him in Washington’s Georgetown neighborhood. Hatfill was not seriously injured. In addition, Hatfill claimed his conversations are monitored. The surveillance is a violation of Hatfill’s privacy rights, according to the lawsuit, which also claims federal officials intentionally leaked false and misleading information about Hatfill to the media. This could be fun, stay tuned. |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #3 |
| Posted by: Greg 2003-8-26 9:26:14 PM |
| #2 |
| Posted by: SteveS 2003-8-26 7:35:10 PM |
| #1 |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-8-26 6:57:25 PM |