During my years working with federal law enforcement, I've had nothing but the utmost respect for the Justice Department. That's why I'm so saddened by the allegations of misconduct swirling around the federal investigation and prosecution of Ted Stevens. Long prior to becoming U.S. Attorney for Alaska, I assisted the FBI and other agencies. I was involved in the first undercover penetration of the outlaw motorcycle gang, the Hells Angels. This was a joint FBI operation with other federal agencies, as well as multiple state and local agencies. Alaska's professional FBI special agents never address ongoing investigations and/or court matters publicly or in the media, and the Hells Angeles case was no different.
I got to thinking about this recently in light of the allegations of misconduct during the FBI's corruption investigation and the Justice Department's trial of former U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens. One agent is accused of getting too chummy with key witness Bill Allen and informant Frank Prewitt. Meantime, members of the prosecution team, who won a controversial conviction against Stevens in fall, were last week found in contempt by the judge presiding over the case. They have since been replaced, raising yet more concerns of misconduct by the government.
It is important to remember that these shenanigans by no means exemplify the hard-working FBI special agents, investigators and attorneys of the Justice Department. During my years of working with federal law enforcement, I have had nothing but the utmost respect for the Justice Department and its FBI. That's why I've been so saddened by the allegations of misconduct now swirling around the investigation of Stevens and his subsequent conviction.
FBI Special Agent Roger Lee, now deceased, is my example of the ideal special agent: candid, honest, loyal, held close all investigations, loved by the bureau, his fellow agents, our nation and Alaska. Roger passed away on the tide flats across Cook Inlet doing what he loved: duck hunting with his close friend Tom Brennan. Roger and I became good friends after I arrived in Alaska over 30 years ago.
Hell's Angels Into the Abyss, by Yves Lavign in 1996, describes the role of an Alaska FBI undercover operative. Special Agent Lee told those involved I was a friend and local attorney who could be trusted and I was consulted during the investigation. My role, like all FBI third-party involvement, was "compartmentalized." I knew the minimum in the investigation to play my role and protect the very threatened undercover operative. Even as U.S. Attorney, I never knew of the details of this worldwide investigation and multiple nationwide prosecutions; all facts were closely held by the FBI.
One of the biggest compliments I ever got in my career came after the Hells Angels investigation from those whom I assisted. They thanked me for my discretion and professionalism. I thought to myself recently, doesn't that go without saying? Apparently not always, as we're learning in the government's Alaska corruption investigation and prosecution of Sen. Stevens. Indeed, FBI informants should not be buddies with agents. The high standards of our FBI must never be lowered to, say, those of FBI informant, felon and former VECO owner, Bill Allen.
The women and men of the FBI are exceptionally dedicated professionals; they abhor corrupt professional conduct. The DOJ Public Integrity investigation and prosecution of former Sen. Ted Stevens is contrary of the core values of our FBI. This political corruption investigation and prosecution was unprofessional, unethical and unconstitutional.