The FBI declined a public records request for information regarding Christopher Steele's primary dossier source, saying that the materials are classified and could jeopardize national security.
In a rejection letter to The Daily Caller News Foundation, the FBI said that releasing information risks identifying a confidential FBI source.
The FBI is refusing to release documents related to the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele, saying in response to a public records request that the information is classified and risks identifying a confidential FBI source.
According to the IG report, the source undercut key allegations that Steele made in his dossier, which the FBI used to obtain four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Carter Page.
The bureau also indicated for the first time that it considers the Steele source to be a confidential source for the FBI. "The nature of your request implicates records the FBI compiles pursuant to its national security and foreign intelligence functions," Michael G. Seidel, the acting section chief for the FBI's information management division.
"Disclosing source related records about an individual or entity could reasonably be expected to undermine the use of confidential sources as it would discourage cooperation with the FBI in the future."
It is unclear if the FBI considers the Steele source to be a CHS. While little is known about Steele's source, the former spy reportedly told his business partners at the firm Fusion GPS that the source was "Well known to U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials."
In a rejection letter to The Daily Caller News Foundation, the FBI said that releasing information risks identifying a confidential FBI source.
The FBI is refusing to release documents related to the primary source for dossier author Christopher Steele, saying in response to a public records request that the information is classified and risks identifying a confidential FBI source.
According to the IG report, the source undercut key allegations that Steele made in his dossier, which the FBI used to obtain four Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act warrants against Carter Page.
The bureau also indicated for the first time that it considers the Steele source to be a confidential source for the FBI. "The nature of your request implicates records the FBI compiles pursuant to its national security and foreign intelligence functions," Michael G. Seidel, the acting section chief for the FBI's information management division.
"Disclosing source related records about an individual or entity could reasonably be expected to undermine the use of confidential sources as it would discourage cooperation with the FBI in the future."
It is unclear if the FBI considers the Steele source to be a CHS. While little is known about Steele's source, the former spy reportedly told his business partners at the firm Fusion GPS that the source was "Well known to U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials."
No comments:
Post a Comment