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FBI Retired Signature Directories

FBI Undercover Operations


FBI Undercover OperationsLooking at “compliance” issues, in September 2005, the Justice Department’s Inspector General [IG] said he found the FBI was generally “compliant” with the Attorney General’s Guidelines conducting Undercover Operations. Unlike deficiencies found in the Bureau’s Confidential Informant Program, IG GLENN FINE said he thought the unit overseeing the FBI’s Undercover Operations was effective and well managed. He attributed much of the unit’s success to having an up-to-date field manual using standardized forms and computer technology to supervise cases.  Accordingly, members whose background also includes FBI Undercover Operations can be a great asset to someone looking for an investigator and/or needing an expert because of an FBI Undercover investigation.

Generally speaking, the Attorney General [AG] Guidelines make clear when the FBI can initiate an investigation, collect intelligence, use a confidential informant, conduct an undercover operation, and/or monitor/record consensual conversations. Ironically—not long after the guidelines were established—it was Congress who claimed “victim” status because of FBI abuses. Claiming the Bureau’s ABSCAM probe “unjustifiably” solicited members of Congress with bribes—some critics said the FBI “trolled” for targets in violation of the Bureau’s guidelines conducting an undercover operation.

But FBI Director WILLIAM H. WEBSTER disagreed with the Bureau’s critics, stating agents had a legitimate reason to pursue the ABSCAM investigation. Investigating allegations involving bribery, gambling, and/or narcotics, he said these crimes generally had a willing participant—making it difficult for agents to locate someone willing to testify. Using a Confidential Informant [CI] or a Cooperating Witness [CW], he said an FBI Undercover Operation permits agents to get inside a criminal organization—enabling investigators to identify/prosecute leaders versus members.

While House members were generally supportive of the FBI’s Undercover Operation Unit and the use of the undercover operation technique, the Select Committee said the tactic created serious risks to property and privacy rights—not to mention civil liberties—leaving some to think the technique could easily be abused. Accordingly, House members sought Justice Department controls requiring the FBI to address certain risk factors before an FBI Undercover Operation can be authorized and initiated.

Consequently—prior to initiating an FBI Undercover Operation today—both the Justice Department and the FBI are now required to address such risk factors as: 1.] agent safety; 2.] damage to public institutions because of FBI manipulation and/or interference; 3.] injury to a target’s reputation; 4.] “entrapment” or “outrageous government conduct;” and 5.] damage to 3rd parties because of the FBI’s generation/creation of a crime.

Members listing FBI Undercover Operations as a skillset can be very helpful to law firms, security professionals and journalists interested in undercover operations needing an investigator and/or wanting an expert looking to locate/interview witnesses, obtain a professional opinion and/or provide media commentary.  Asked to review evidence involving a “buy/bust” operation by police, members whose skills include FBI Undercover Operations can also analyze digital evidence, provide testimony and/or when solicited produce an affidavit documenting policies and procedures.  Besides having an expertise concerning FBI Undercover Operations, these members also have important organizational, analytical and reporting skills, necessary to examine evidence and/or interview witnesses.

Worried about security lapses “exposed,” as a result of an undercover operation, members listing FBI Undercover Operations can provide clients and interested parties with insight and guidance improving a security plan.  Specifying FBI Undercover Operations as a skillset, these members also have the training, expertise and contacts to analyze critical evidence, “not” only at the federal level, but state and local level as well.

Likewise, many members whose backgrounds include FBI Undercover Operations also have media experience, routinely providing journalists and news outlets media commentary and case analysis.  Able to cite policy manuals and regulations, members listing FBI Undercover Operations can decipher criminal complaints, providing context and explanations for a better story.   Need more information about a member whose background includes FBI Undercover Operations just make contact with the individual member and make inquiry.

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Looking for an FBI Undercover Operations expert—website visitors need only use the search feature, entering the appropriate skill, as well as the geographical area of preference to make contact with an FBI Undercover Operations expert using the information provided.

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Retired FBI Agents and Analysts, interested in securing a Directory listing and/or a personal email address who have a background that includes FBI Undercover Operations, need only submit a brief online application to join the website.

[NOTE: Information contained herein was summarized from a September 2005 report issued by the Justice Department’s Inspector General GLENN A. FINE].

Agents with FBI Undercover Operations skillset