Re Hatfill: 9/6/02 - Reuters: Fired Researcher in Anthrax Probe Wants Apology
Fired Researcher in Anthrax Probe Wants Apology
by James Vicini
Friday, September 06, 2002 11:26 a.m. EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A lawyer for Dr. Steven Hatfill, named as a "person of interest" in the FBI's investigation of the 2001 deadly anthrax mailings, has asked Attorney General John Ashcroft for an apology and to help find a new job for the recently fired researcher.
In a letter to Ashcroft made available on Friday, lawyer Victor Glasberg wrote, "Dr. Hatfill is an uncharged, presumptively innocent man who has been severely damaged by actions taken by you and your subordinates."
Hatfill, a germ warfare expert who has denied any involvement in the anthrax attacks that killed five people, was fired this week from his job at Louisiana State University's National Center for Biomedical Research and Training.
LSU placed Hatfill on paid administrative leave on Aug. 2, the day after FBI agents made a widely publicized search of Hatfill's apartment near Fort Detrick, Maryland, where he once had worked.
On Aug. 1 a Justice Department agency directed LSU to stop using Hatfill as a course instructor on any department-funded programs. At the time Hatfill was working on a program financed by the department.
LSU maintained that Hatfill's firing was unrelated to the Justice Department's directive.
Glasberg asked Ashcroft to immediately reverse the Aug. 1 blackballing notice.
"With all due respect, it is proper for you to take the lead in setting this right immediately," Glasberg wrote. "In fairness, Dr. Hatfill is also entitled to an apology, and I would encourage you to see that one is provided to him."
Glasberg asked Ashcroft to "use your good offices promptly to secure appropriate employment for Dr. Hatfill at LSU or elsewhere, where he may put his considerable knowledge in the service of our nation's defenses against biological terrorism ."
Glasberg said Hatfill has been rendered unemployed and unemployable by the Justice Department's actions reflecting his proclaimed status as a "person of interest."
Hatfill is one of about 30 U.S.-based scientists the FBI considers a "person of interest" in its investigation, meaning they have the expertise, ability and wherewithal to produce the deadly bacteria.
In a second letter to the Justice Department's Office of Professional Responsibility, Glasberg complained about the firing and blacklisting of Hatfill, about leaks to the news media and about how the FBI treated Hatfill's girlfriend during a search of her residence in August.
She said her apartment had been "completely trashed" and that an FBI agent said Hatfill had killed five people.
"Don't you know the severity of your situation? Your whole life is going to turn around," Glasberg said the agent told the girlfriend.
A Justice Department spokesman had no comment on the Glasberg letters.
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