Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Congress to Delve Into Improper FBI Spying

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress wants to know how the FBI illegally or improperly gathered telephone, e-mail and financial records of Americans and foreigners while chasing terrorists.

Glenn A. Fine, the Justice Department inspector general who revealed FBI data-gathering abuses in a 130-page report last week, was to appear before the House Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. The panel also called FBI General Counsel Valerie Caproni, whose office was taken to task by Fine for inadequate supervision of the bureau's use of documents called national security letters to gather data.

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On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee hears from Fine and FBI Director Robert Mueller on the same topic.

A key concern in Congress is whether the USA Patriot Act, which substantially loosened controls over the letters, should be revised.

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