Justice Dept.: FBI Ignores Informant Rules

[Judi Lynn]

Justice Dept.: FBI Ignores Informant Rules
By MARK SHERMAN, Associated Press Writer

Monday, September 12, 2005

(09-12) 08:59 PDT WASHINGTON (AP) --


FBI agents frequently violate the bureau's rules for handling confidential informants, instructions that were rewritten following FBI abuses in the 1990s, the Justice Department's internal watchdog said Monday.

A review of 120 confidential informant files from FBI offices around the nation found violations in 104 cases, or 87 percent, Inspector General Glenn A. Fine said in a 301-page, partially blacked-out report that examined the FBI's compliance with rules that govern most investigations.

Agents failed to assess informants' suitability, get authorization for informants to engage in activity that otherwise would be illegal, convey proper instructions or tell prosecutors when informants had committed serious crimes, Fine said.

FBI Director Robert Mueller and many agents said the required paperwork is cumbersome, Fine said in the report.
(snip/...)

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2005/09/12/national/w085956D95.DTL