Archive for May, 2008
Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
FBI HQ Takes Over Continental Flight 1544 Story
This morning, FBI Spokeswoman Shauna Dunlap of the FBI's Houston field office told me FBI Headquarters is now handling the Continental Flight 1544 incident. That would be the incident involving the pilot's report of a rocket-like object nearly missing the aircraft as it departed from George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston on Memorial Day.
Passengers […]
No Comments » - Posted in U.S. Homeland Security by Annie Jacobsen
Tuesday, May 27th, 2008
Former Undercover Agents: It’s TSA, Calling Your Wife
The story of former Federal Air Marshal Jeffrey Denning just took an Orwellian turn. Turns out TSA criminal investigator Greg Neiderer called Denning's wife — veiled as an old friend — while Denning was serving a tour of duty with the Army Reserves in Iraq.
"My right of privacy and my freedom of speech are […]
No Comments » - Posted in Federal Air Marshals, Government Secrecy by Annie Jacobsen
Friday, May 23rd, 2008
TSA Investigates Former Air Marshal for Private Email
Jeffrey Denning is a former Federal Air Marshal. He's just returned home from serving in the war in Iraq as an officer with the U.S. Army Reserves. He's got a master's degree in Military Studies and Terrorism with a specialty in counterinsurgency. Now he's being investigated by his former employers at the Federal Air Marshal […]
No Comments » - Posted in Government Secrecy by Annie Jacobsen
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
UK Aerospace Co. Officials Detained at Houston Airport
The chief executive of BAE — a British defense and aerospace company — and an unnamed second senior official were detained by Justice Department agents when they arrived at Houston airport over the weekend. Their electronic equipment was taken from them and examined.
The DOJ is investigating corruption and bribery allegations between BAE and […]
No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Monday, May 12th, 2008
Dzakovic Testifies on Aviation Security Panel
Former Red Team Leader and prominent, federal whistleblower Bogdan Dzakovic is testifying today in Washington, D.C. on a panel regarding aviation matters. The Government Accountability Project, GAP, is hosting the panel as part of its Whistleblower Week.
GAP handles Dzakovic's case which alleges that TSA is failing in its duties to safeguard the flying public. […]
No Comments » - Posted in Airport Security & Screening by Annie Jacobsen
Tuesday, May 6th, 2008
FBI Agents Raid Home & Office of OSC Chief Bloch
In a recent turn of events that is nothing short of remarkable, FBI agents have raided the home and office of Office of Special Counsel Scott Bloch, "seizing computers and documents belonging to the agency chief and staff," as reported by The Wall Street Journal.
FBI agents and investigators are working to determine if Scott […]
No Comments » - Posted in Behind the Scenes by Annie Jacobsen
Monday, May 5th, 2008
State Department Report: Pakistan’s Catch and Release
Last week, the State Department Report released its report on various countries' performances in fighting terrorism around the globe. As far as catching terrorists and keeping them in custody, the USG calls Pakistan's performance "uneven."
In fact, the policy more closely resembles "catch and release," as exemplified by what happened with London Planes Plot mastermind […]
No Comments » - Posted in The Al-Qaeda Threat by Annie Jacobsen
Thursday, May 1st, 2008
Kidnapped Pilot Robert Wiles is Still Missing
Kidnapped private pilot Robert Wiles, 26, has now been missing for one month. There have been no leads since kidnappers contacted his parents demanding money just two days after his disappearance on April 1st. The FBI calls his case — adult kidnappings for ransom — very "rare."
Wiles was last seen at Lakeland Linder Regional […]