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FBI agents investigated for alleged China, Mid-East deals
Washington, Oct 02: The US Justice Department has opened an investigation of FBI agents suspected of involvement in unauthorised business ventures in China and the Middle East while working on espionage and terrorism cases linked to these regions, an FBI official said.
Washington, Oct 02: The US Justice Department has opened an investigation of FBI agents suspected of involvement in unauthorised business ventures in China and the Middle East while working on espionage and terrorism cases linked to these regions, an FBI official said.
The conflict-of-interest probe conducted by the
department's Inspector General is focusing on two individuals
at the Federal Bureau of Investigation's office in phoenix,
Arizona, said the official, who declined to provide any
further details, yesterday.
"The Inspector General's office is responsible for investigating any alleged impropriety, so that's what they are going to look at," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The probe is said to be focused on suspicions that the agents may have used companies set up by the FBI as part of its investigations of Chinese attempts to acquire sensitive US technology and Palestinian links to terrorism for personal gain.
US Federal employees are usually barred from engaging in any side business ventures while performing their official duties.
The probe could result in another black eye for the leading US counterespionage and counter-terrorism agency, which is already under a cloud over missed telltale signs in the lead-up to the September 11 terrorist attacks and a scandal in Los Angeles involving an FBI operative having an affair with a suspected Chinese double agent.
Bureau Report
"The Inspector General's office is responsible for investigating any alleged impropriety, so that's what they are going to look at," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The probe is said to be focused on suspicions that the agents may have used companies set up by the FBI as part of its investigations of Chinese attempts to acquire sensitive US technology and Palestinian links to terrorism for personal gain.
US Federal employees are usually barred from engaging in any side business ventures while performing their official duties.
The probe could result in another black eye for the leading US counterespionage and counter-terrorism agency, which is already under a cloud over missed telltale signs in the lead-up to the September 11 terrorist attacks and a scandal in Los Angeles involving an FBI operative having an affair with a suspected Chinese double agent.
Bureau Report