FOIA and the 2001 anthrax attacks

["Richard M. Smith" <rms () computerbytesman com>]

Hi,

According to the FBI, a FOIA request played a role in the 2001 anthrax
attacks.  Here's the relevant excerpt from one of the FBI's affidavits that
was
released today:
        
    From:  <http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/IvinsAffidavit.pdf>
http://www.foxnews.com/projects/pdf/IvinsAffidavit.pdf
        
    In the weeks immediately prior to the attacks, Dr. Ivins became
    aware that an investigative journalist who worked for NBC News
    had submitted a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests on
    USAMRIID seeking detailed information from Dr. Ivins's laboratory
    notebooks as they related to the AVA vaccine and the use of adjuvants. 
    On August 28, 2001 Dr. Ivins appeared angry about the request
    providing the following response in an e-mail: "Tell
    [Gary] Matsumoto to kiss my ass.  We've got better things to do than
    shine his shoes and pee on command.  He's gotten everything from
    me he will get."

Approximately 3 weeks after Dr. Ivins' email message, Tom Brokaw of NBC News
was sent an anthrax letter.

In addition, there are indications in another FBI affidavit that Gary
Matsumoto was also sent an anthrax letter on the same day.  This second
NBC anthrax letter has never been disclosed before by the FBI.  (However, it
might an error in the affidavit and the second NBC anthrax letter is an
issue that the FBI has to clarify.)

If the FBI case against Dr. Ivins is true, then he used what has to be
the most unusual method ever employed to respond to a FOIA request.

Richard M. Smith
 <http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com> http://www.ComputerBytesMan.com






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