SURVEILLANCE: Phone companies pull plug on FBI wiretaps

[Guest guest]

TELECOMS DROP FBI WIRETAPS DUE TO UNPAID BILLS

AP/January 10, 2008

The report released Thursday was a highly edited version of Fine's

87-page audit that the FBI deemed too sensitive to be viewed publicly.

It focused on what the bureau admitted was an " antiquated " system to

track money sent to its 56 field offices nationwide for undercover

work. Generally, the money pays for rental cars, leases and

surveillance, the audit noted.

The American Civil Liberties Union called on the FBI to release the

entire, unedited audit. The group, which has been critical of some of

the government's wiretapping programs, also took a swipe at

telecommunication companies that allowed the eavesdropping — as long

as they are getting paid.

" It seems the telecoms, who are claiming they were just being 'good

patriots' when they allowed the government to spy on us without

warrants, are more than willing to pull the plug on national security

investigations when the government falls behind on its bills, " said

former FBI agent Michael German, the ACLU's national security policy

counsel. " To put it bluntly, it sounds as though the telecoms believe

it when the FBI says the warrant is in the mail but not when they say

the check is in the mail. "

http://news./s/ap/20080111/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/fbi_unpaid_phone_bills

 

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