FBI resources limited for economic probes: report

[inanna]

Source: Reuters

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The FBI, after years spent focusing on national security, is struggling to find agents and resources to investigate wrongdoing tied to the country's economic crisis, The New York Times reported in Sunday editions.

Citing current and former FBI officials, the Times said cutbacks in its criminal investigative workforce following the September 11 attacks left the FBI weaker in areas like white collar crime.

The cutbacks were the result of a shift in focus to terrorism and intelligence matters. More than 1,800 agents, or nearly one-third of all those in criminal programs, moved into those areas, the Times said.

<snip>

Records and interviews show that FBI officials have warned of a looming mortgage threat since 2004, and asked the Bush administration to fund such nonterrorism investigations, but the requests were denied and no new agents were approved for financial criminal investigation work, the newspaper said.


Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE49H23S20081018

[hvn_nbr_2]

1. They're too busy harassing nuns and campaigning for McCain. nt

[EFerrari]

2. They're too busy harrassing American voters.

And now they're going to cover for Bush's last theft?

Cry me a river, Special Agent.

[pollo poco]

3. absolute bullsh*t

Who believes this crap? They hate us. They serve the rich. nuff said.

[lifesbeautifulmagic]

4. and yet they have money to

investigate Acorn.

Go figure.

[ananda]

5. and too busy with investigating ACORN..

nt

[NJCher]

6. what crap

Cher

[bluesmail]

7. Part Of The Plan.

On an aside: Paulson lowered interest rates. People who shouldn't have but had no idea the outcome took the bait. Thanks Hank.

[defendandprotect]

8. Capitalist's dream...gov't so weakened it can't monitor or prosecute them ---

and we've arrived at that point --!!!

[brentspeak]

12. Precisely.

[MgtPA]

9. Maybe Eliot Spitzer could help you guys out.

[geckosfeet]

10. If it were a priority - it would get done. eom

[FVZA_Colonel]

11. They're probably wasting more money "investigating" ACORN then on this.

[OKthatsIT]

13. This is the crime of all crimes...in all American history

Honestly, as long as the Bush Administration pulls the Exec Orders with the DOJ, nothing of value, or competence, will be done.

[stillcool]

14. The FBI was out-sourced..

to the Republican Party.