Hillary Clinton

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The FBI has interviewed several of Hillary Clinton’s closest aides as part of an investigation into her use of a private e-mail server while she was Secretary of State.

CNN reports that long-time advisor Huma Abedin was among those interviewed.

But so far, investigators have not found evidence to show that Clinton willfully violated the law, federal officials said.

The interviews took place over the past several weeks.

Clinton has not yet been interviewed.

Abedin’s lawyers declined to comment.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

An ex-mafia informant who is suing the federal government and three FBI agents may proceed with a lawsuit that alleges he was thrown in jail despite authorities knowing he was innocent.

The New York Daily News reports that former Bonanno family soldier Joseph Barone Jr. was a mole for 18 years and is thrilled by the judge’s decision Thursday.

“This is wonderful, this is no joke,” Barone said. “I’m nervous, I’m happy, I’m angry still. I’m so thankful to God, and we’ve just got to wait to take the next step.”

Barone claims federal agents leaked his status as an informant after he refused to wear a wire.

The FBI declined to comment.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

While the FBI struggled to break into an iPhone of one of the San Bernardino shooters, detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department managed to unlock an iPhone 5S, the Los Angeles Times reports. 

A “forensic cellphone expert” helped bypass the security features on an iPhone belonging to the deceased wife of The Shield actor Michael Jace. The actor is accused of killing his wife.

Detectives wanted to gain access to the phone because the pair allegedly had an argument via text message.

It’s unclear how detectives managed to open the phone.

The FBI sued Apple to force the company to open the phone but the feds dropped the case after the bureau paid under $1 million to a hacking group to unlock the phone.

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

Homeland Security’s inspector general is investigating complaints that the TSA is illegally profiling passengers.

The Federal Times reports that a TSA employee in Minneapolis complained that a supervisor told him to treat Somali residents “differently from others who visit the Minneapolis TSA office.”

The TSA has been under fire in recent years over claims by federal officers that they were instructed racially profile people.

The TSA responded that it does not condone profiling.

“The Transportation Security Administration does not  profile, nor does it tolerate profiling by employees,” a TSA spokesperson said. “TSA welcomes the Office of Inspector General’s investigation and will cooperate fully, but cannot comment until the investigation is complete.”

By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com

The CIA suspected its top operative in Pakistan was poisoned two moths after the killing of Osama bin Laden.

The Washington Post reports that Mark Kelton, who is now retired, became violently ill and was taken out of the country for treatment.

The health problems were so sudden that the CIA believed Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency, known as ISI, poisoned Kelton.

It’s still unclear what happened to Kelton, 59.

“I’d rather let that whole sad episode lie,” he said. “I’m very, very proud of the people I worked with who did amazing things for their country at a very difficult time. When the true story is told, the country will be very proud of them.”

Other Stories of Interest

• Navy: Accused Spy Edward Lin Gave Secret Information to FBI Informant
• Lawyer: Union Chief’s Accused Claimed to Be Working with FBI
• De Blasio Lawyers Up Amid State, FBI Fundraising Probe
• Justice Department to Lay Off 113 Employees Next Week
• Border Patrol Agents Honor Fallen Comrades with ‘Day of Valor’