News Story
Google: FBI Is Spying on Internet Users with So-Called National Security Letters
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI has been demanding that Google divulge account information of up to thousands of its users to authorities without warrants, Wired.com reports. Google revealed it has received numerous National Security Letters from the FBI since 2009. Those letters, which the FBI has abused in the past, are written demands to compel…
Congressman Urges FBI to Investigate Death of Openly Gay Mayoral Candidate in Mississippi
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com A Mississippi congressman is urging the FBI to join an investigation into the slaying of an openly gay mayoral candidate, the Associated Press reports. Marco McMillian, 34, was running for mayor in Clarksdale when someone dragged him of out a car and beat him to death, the AP wrote. The 22-year-old suspect…
FBI Investigates After Pilot Spots Drone Near JFK
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI is investigating a mysterious drone spotted Monday by a commercial pilot near the John F. Kennedy International Airport, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The Federal Aviation Administration said the pilot “saw a small, unmanned or remote-controlled aircraft while on final approach to Runway 31 Right at John F. Kennedy International…
President Obama to Appoint Veteran Secret Service Official to Oversee Agency
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com President Obama plans to appoint a veteran Secret Service official to oversee the agency, Reuters reports. David O’Connor, a former assistant director of investigations who retired last year, is Obama’s pick for the post, which protects the president and other top federal officials, Reuters wrote. Senate confirmation is not required. Reuters wrote…
Lead FBI Agent in Rep.William Jefferson Case Speaks Out About the Victories and Near Misses
By Gordon Russell New Orleans Times-Picayune NEW ORLEANS — Were it not for Virginia businesswoman Lori Mody’s skillful undercover work, William Jefferson would probably still be representing Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District in Washington, according to the FBI agent who oversaw the case against the longtime Democratic congressman. It was Mody who first brought Jefferson’s corruption…
FBI Investigates Special Agent After Police Say He Used Badge to Avoid Arrest
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The FBI is investigating one of its own after he allegedly used his badge to avoid arrest for drunken driving in Georgia, the Chattanooga Times Free Press reports. Fort Oglethorpe police say Special Agent Ken Hillman received special treatment after getting pulled over for drinking and driving. For the first time, the…
Homeland Security Reaches 10th Anniversary But Has its Trials
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks revealed flaws in the U.S.’s national security. So on March 1, 2003, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act, which created the Homeland Security Department. Homeland Security Director Janet Napolitano described it as “the largest reorganization of the federal government since the Department of Defense,” wrote Fox News. The…
The Homeland Security Department Stands to Lose $3.2 billion Because of Sequestration
Steve Neavling ticklethewire.com If sequestration cuts aren’t restored, they will cost the Homeland Security Department about $3.2 billion this fiscal year, Fierce Homeland Security reports. To make up for the lost money, the department, which reached 10 years old March 1, would need to cut more than 5% across the board. Other federal agencies face…