http://www.usdoj.gov/oig/special/0501/final.pdf
CONCLUSION
"The majority of the allegations raised by Edmonds related to the actions of a co-worker. The allegations raised serious concerns that, if true, could potentially have extremely damaging consequences for the FBI. These allegations warranted a thorough and careful review by the FBI. Our investigation concluded that the FBI did not, and still has not, adequately investigated these allegations. Our review also found that many - although not all - of Edmonds' allegations about the co-worker had some basis in fact. This evidence does not prove, and we are not suggesting, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that espionage or any improper disclosures of FBI information occurred. However, we believe the FBI should have taken Edmonds' allegations more seriously and investigated them more thoroughly. As discussed in this report, the FBI's investigation of the information regarding the co-worker was significantly flawed. Had the FBI investigated the claims thoroughly, it would have found that many of Edmonds' allegations regarding the co-worker were supported by documentary evidence or other witnesses. Instead, the FBI seems to have discounted Edmonds' allegations, believing she was a disruptive influence and not credible, and eventually terminated her services. Even now, the FBI has not carefully investigated the allegations about the co-worker to determine if the co-worker compromised any FBI information. In light of the need for FBI vigilance about security issues, as demonstrated by the Hanssen case, we believe the FBI should have investigated these serious allegations more thoroughly."
January 14, 2005 Joint Press Release from Sens. Charles Grassley and Patrick Leahy
OIG Report: FBI Botched Probe Of Whistleblower's Claims Of Problems In Translation Unit
http://leahy.senate.gov/press/200501/011405b.html
"This report confirms that the FBI failed to treat this case as seriously as the situation demanded. It is unacceptable, and it deeply concerns us, that in the wake of the Robert Hanssen spy case, and in the months following September 11th, the FBI failed to vigorously investigate these grave allegations. This report does not determine whether the underlying claims would have ultimately been proven accurate, but the FBI's flawed response gives me little confidence that the bureau or its leaders have learned from decades of repeated mistakes," said Leahy.
"Time and again we hear from the FBI that whistleblowers who raise legitimate complaints will not be retaliated against. It's time for more than just lip service. The Inspector General's report did not address the truthfulness of the allegations. But, the IG did determine that if the FBI had actually looked into the allegations, they might have found that where there's smoke there's fire. Once again the FBI has shown that it has a long way to go in its treatment of whistleblowers," said Grassley.
January 14, 2005 STATEMENT BY THE FBI REGARDING THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL'S REPORT, "A REVIEW OF THE FBI'S ACTIONS IN CONNECTION WITH ALLEGATIONS RAISED BY CONTRACT LINGUIST SIBEL EDMONDS"
http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel05/011405.htm
January 14, 2005 New Vindication for FBI Whistleblower Sibel Edmonds: Statement by POGO on the release of IG Fine's report
http://www.pogo.org/p/government/ga-050103-edmonds.html
January 14, 2005 Inspector General's Report Concludes FBI Translator Fired for Reporting Misconduct
http://www.aclu.org/safefree/general/18811prs20050114.html
January 19, 2005 ORAL ARGUMENT SET FOR APRIL 21, 2005 No. 04-5286 UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA CIRCUIT SIBEL EDMONDS,
Plaintiff-Appellant, v. UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, et al., Defendants-Appellees.
