Former govt. agent admits illegally spying on Sharyl Attkisson, implicates govt. colleagues


  • Former govt. agent admits spying on Attkisson, implicates his colleagues.
  • Former U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein is accused of leading the group.
  • Govt. hackers allegedly reported to FBI official who now heads CrowdStrike

Read all of the background here.

A former U.S. government agent has admitted participating in the illegal government surveillance on then-CBS New investigative reporter Sharyl Attkisson. The insider has identified former U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein as the person responsible for the project.

As a result of the new admission, Attkisson and her family are filing suit against Rosenstein and four other men allegedly involved. According to the lawsuit, the illegal surveillance was conducted against Attkisson and other U.S. citizens under a government operation based at the U.S. Attorney’s office in Baltimore, Maryland.

The Plaintiffs first acquired the details regarding key individuals involved in the surveillance in August, 2019, from a person involved in the wrongdoing who has come forward to provide information. Prior to that time, the Government and its agents and representatives had denied that any such conduct had occurred, including denials in Court pleadings and argument. 

Attkisson v. Rosenstein, et. al.

The Attkisson lawsuit claims that in March 2011, Defendants Shawn Henry, Shaun Bridges, Robert Clarke, and Ryan White, all of whom were government employees connected to a special multi-agency federal government task force based in Baltimore, Maryland, were ordered by Defendant Rosenstein to conduct home computer surveillance on Attkisson and other U.S. citizens. 

Shawn Henry was head of the FBI’s Washington Field Office. In 2012, Henry left the FBI and now is president of CrowdStrike Services, a company that seeks to mitigate targeted online attacks on corporate and government networks globally.

Shaun Bridges was as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service for approximately six years, operating out of the Baltimore Field Office. Between 2012 and 2014, he was assigned to the Baltimore Silk Road Task Force, a multi-agency group investigating illegal activity on the Silk Road, a covert online marketplace for illicit goods, including drugs. In 2015 and 2017, Bridges was convicted of corruption related to his government work, and is now serving a prison sentence.

At the time Attkisson was targeted by the illegal surveillance, she was a CBS News investigative correspondent who was uncovering news about the Department of Justice’s “gun walking” operation known as Fast and Furious. Attkisson’s reporting of the case ultimately was recognized with an Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy Award for investigative reporting.

Click here for additional background information on the Attkisson case.

Unauthorized, remote surveillance of Attkisson continued throughout her subsequent reporting on the Islamic extremist attacks on Americans in Benghazi, Libya on Sept. 11, 2012. That reporting was recognized with an investigative Emmy nomination. CBS News first confirmed the illegal computer intrusions in August 2013.

In another development, a former FBI Unit Chief has signed a sworn Affidavit confirming that forensics prove U.S. government software was used in illegal surveillance on Attkisson and her family.

Leslie Szwajkowski, an attorney, headed up the FBI’s Electronic Surveillance Technology Section. He says that a colleague asked him for help in examining Attkisson’s computer in late 2012. Szwajkowski says a forensics exam conducted by a technician with expertise in government surveillance tools confirmed that spyware proprietary to a federal agency was found in Attkisson’s computer. Szwajkowski says he and his colleagues were “shocked” and “outraged” to learn the government was spying on a journalist.

I personally could not imagine that something like this could ever happen in the United State of America.

Leslie Szwajkowski, former FBI Unit Chief

Szwajkowski said, according to the forensics, the remote intruders had “full access” to Attkisson’s computer, files, photographs and internet activities. The surveillance allegedly included a keystroke monitoring program, exfiltration of Attkisson’s files, and listening in on her audio through Skype.

I’ve learned that when the Justice Dept. won’t hold its own accountable, the ability to get justice in civil court can be nearly impossible for an ordinary citizen, even when irrefutable forensic proof and admissions are in hand, such as in my case. There are six ways from Sunday that the Justice Department can make sure the proof is never seen by a jury. On the other hand, it’s worth the fight because at least we are bringing important information to light about the illegal government abuses that I believe have happened to many U.S. citizens, the least of which is me. I’m grateful to the 4th amendment and free press advocates who have continued to selflessly support this effort.

Sharyl Attkisson, Jan. 9, 2020

Read the Attkisson v. Rosenstein complaint below.


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126 thoughts on “Former govt. agent admits illegally spying on Sharyl Attkisson, implicates govt. colleagues”

  1. Sharyl, This sounds like fabulous news to me! Good luck going forward, sounds like a great book will come out of this too.
    Larry Cooper

    1. Praise the honest patriot that came forward with this criminal activity. This is exactly what we need. More people with intestinal fortitude like this person and Edward Snowden, true American HEROES!

  2. Adlerette Kebreau

    Good Afternoon Powerful woman warrior.
    So refreshing to see you are standing against the most powerful system in America also a Luciferian System. My hat to you and may Heaven guide all your steps to Victory.
    I was wondering if you could have a class lawsuit since it is happening to many voiceless Law Abiding Citizens, including myself as a Pastor..
    I had sent a letter to DOJ in this regard including a request for a FOIAL but their response was of course a non sense instead investigating why I have been spying on or being monitored when I did not break the law. I’m not a double agent nor a Potician either.
    I do reside in NYC, so I don’t know where you do live but feel free to kindly follow up with me and along with others with the same issue.

    I believe by collaborating with others confronting the same issue in America will make a better impact and give you a greater victory. I believe a class lawsuit is the pathway to dismantle this Luciferian system.

    Thanks
    Pastor Adlerette Kebreau
    @PastorKebreau

  3. Hey, Sharyl. I’ve been listening to your reporting on this for years.

    It’s not much of a leap to believe that a many who was willing to wear a wire to trap the President would certainly be willing to tap a reporter. Great stuff!

  4. But they do do that? Go for the jugular. Awful intrusion of your rights but Rothenstein swears they never spied on Trump?

    1. Barry, there is lots of evidence that FBI/CIA etc spied on Trump. See Devin Nunes memo of FEB. 2018 covering his teams 2 1/2 year investigation of the coup to upend the Trump presidency. If that hooks you read Lee Smith’s book The Plot Against the President about Nunes investigation of CrossFireHurricane the secret group of FBI/CIA top people to unseat the president. Sheryl thanks to your book of several years ago I am invested in knowing everything I can about the corruption of the deep state. I am so glad you have been successful in getting answers and are now suing Rod Rosenstein et al. Where is the best place to follow you.

  5. Sharyl, it’s time Rod ROSENTEIN is held accountable for the crimes he’s committed against America & its citizens ! Will be praying for a good outcome!

    Julia Zimms

  6. Congratulations Sharyl!!

    Your long fight in this is finally producing fruit. Maybe you will be first in getting indictments and trials against members of the “Deep State”. I certainly hope so.

    Never stop fighting, love your books.

      1. 1. Sharyl Attkisson, remember you are not alone. It is the daily feed of propaganda from the Government Cesspool, which, in large part, thanks to Trump, these corrupt insiders are being pushed into the sunlight, or are pushing themselves into the sunlight.
        2. Someone, with a public face, you – Sharyl – has to light the fire of ending immunity for Government Employees. And ending the payment of legal fees for these corrupt people. They knowingly use the dirty tool of making average citizens pay horrendous legal bills, by bleeding private citizens dry, while the true criminals get their legal cost paid for by the taxpayer.
        Not that you need another job, Sharyl, but balancing the legal/economic scale would severely end the corruption within. Light the match please.

  7. Sharyl, thank you for your courage. The question for me is, why do none of these perpetrators ever go to jail. They trample our rights and undermine our democracy, and, yet, surprisingly, no one ever gets convicted and no one ever does time. I hope you can soak them for every penny.

  8. Sharyll…you have always been a consummate professional and you have the admiration and respect of many Americans who believe that our government has been overwhelmed by a bureaucracy with no respect for the Constitution and the traditional values that made us the beacon of freedom. Press on! We are very close to turning this country around from a horrible descent into a terminal condition. We need you now more than ever.

  9. I have been following this for years. This sort of behavior by people regarded as respectable public “servants” is terrifying. The founders understood the natural proclivity of people in government to abuse the power of that government in the service their own personal interests This is a human nature problem. We cannot change. human nature. We can however limit the size and scope of the state.. We can also impose horrific life- ruining prison sentences along with extremely high financial costs on the small percent of the wrongdoers . that are exposed. I hope Sharyll utterly destroys the lives, reputations and legacy of the respected public servants involved in this affair.. We need to make some examples here..

  10. Welcome to the USSA, comrades.

    After your Fast and Furious and Benghazi reportage, you were clearly targeted as an enemy of the deep state, meaning corrupt SES-grade permanent bureaucratic civilian “generals” who think they have the right and duty to run the country sub-rosa.

    CBS cut off the mic of their best prime time investigative reporter, and brought in CIA stooge Mike Morell instead. To those of us who understand these things, the writing was on the wall.

    Keep fighting, Sharyl!

    And godspeed to Mr. Durham.
    Rosenstein is a disgrace, if he doesn’t wind up in prison, at least he should be outed as a corrupt liar.

  11. Bravo Sharyl! Steadfast! Perservering! Unyielding in truth to power!
    Now, may others eventually step forward who have quietly served while enduring warrantless surveillance, not without Kafkaesque intimidation and harassment.
    Smoother sailing through the rip tides and cross currents that still may lie ahead!

  12. Fantastic news!!! I remember seeing many comments/posts/articles about the intrusion when you first reported it. They ridiculed you and said you were imaging things.

    I am now imagining Rosenstein and his crew being perp-walked in orange suits..

    I have been a fan since your days at CBS fighting THAT bureaucracy to report of F+F, and was inspired to call a DC florist.

    I look forward to your public testimony for John Durham!!

    All the best,

    Ed

  13. Too bad the surveillance tools identified are the same tools compromised by Snowden, which are now available around the world.

  14. You give them to much credit when you refer to them as “1-50 unnamed agents”. Many are potentially contractors or analysts. Better to refer to them as “employees” to cover all bases.

  15. Sharyl,

    I am quite certain it has been an extraordinarily tough, frustrating, exhaustive and likely very expensive journey to get to this point where a former US government agent admitted participating in illegal government surveillance. I am delighted you are able to open many eyes and inform Americans how difficult it is to crack open corruption within the Deep State!

    Until US government employees are exposed and held ACCOUNTABLE for unethical and illegal actions corruption inside the Deep State won’t change.

    Every year Americans read about US attorneys cited for egregious prosecutorial misconduct in Federal court cases and recently read about FISA abuse at the FBI — are those unethical US government employees ever held accountable for their actions; are they ever fired — no, they are generally transferred somewhere else within the Deep State. And more importantly —- what don’t we hear about?

    Thank you keeping us updated.

  16. LITTLE LADY I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. FOR THE LAST 28 YEARS I HAVE HAD THIS PROBLUM. AND WHAT AMERICA NEEDS TO KNOW . YOU DONT HAVE TO BE THE BAD PERSON FoR THIS TO HAPPEN TO YOU. (LIKE MY SELF ) JEST KNOWING THERE ACTIONS IS ALL IT TAKES. MIND STARTED JEST AFTER JUNE 4 1991 . WHEN THE ACTIONS OF A LOCAL D.R. AND STAT CASE WORKER SHOULD HAVE PUT THEM IN JAIL. BUT THEN (DAMAGE CONTROL ) TOOK OVER. (THEY HAVE NO LAWSAND NO RULES TO GO BY. AND WHAT I HAVE DEALED WITH FOR LAST 28 YR . WILL ANGER ALL AMERICANS . BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT YOUR TAX DOLLARS IS PAYING FOR . THE (FACT THE COUNTY.STATE AND THE FEDS HAVE HAD THERE HEAD IS MY ASS FOR ALL THIS TIME IS ( BECAUSE IN THE SPRING OF 1996 THERE WAS A LOT OF MERCURY DUMPED IN THE FL PANHANDLE/. AND IT WAS THE FEDS TYHAT DID IT . AND ALL LOCALS COVERED IT UP. TO SEE THAT AND 100 TIMES MORE PLEASE LOOK AT MY FACE BOOK TIMELINE . https://www.facebook.com/eadygeorgem . I stand behind every word. even the times they have tried to kill me set me up and more . SO SHARYLL WHEN I SAY I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN. THIS SHOWS JEST THAT

  17. Finally, the Dam Cracks! Congrats!

    I picture Rosenstein standing behind Barr, like a deer caught in the headlights. A body language expert on YouTube had much to say about that!

  18. So glad the truth is emerging. It is truly chilling that the government has not only surveilled political enemies, but journalists and citizens. And yet mum is the word in the MSM. Not a true journalist in those farcical news organizations, which are really just government propaganda arms giving them cover. Shocking stuff..

  19. Very pleased with your news, keep it up! See also Judicial Watch, January 2020, and Marie Yovanovitch and CrowdTangle!

  20. I have currently been targeted, harassed, stalked, for over 10+ years now and was a former employee of the postal inspection service who abused their authority and targeted me because they considered me a whistle blower. They received support from that I know from being directly harassed by these agencies, nj state police, ny state police, pa state police, fbi, park police( I live in the rural town of Sussex nj), postal oig, people from the local agencies, since 2009 harassing me off and at work, hacking my iPad and iPhone devices and continue with their manufactured case they created against me with these other agencies past retirement.

    1. I empathize with you. I am considered a whistleblower myself and they have put me in the trenches. Please see my comment below. Hang on. Change is coming. I truly believe it.

  21. Congratulations Sharyl, I hope for your’s and everyone’s sake this is enough to bring the walls tumbling down. I have been happy to donate to your brave fight even though I’m in the UK as, if the USA can’t be trusted, who can? Following our (UK) own Brexit shenanigans it’s quite obvious to all we have our own embedded swamp.

  22. Would love to know who gave Rosenstein his orders? The fast and furious and Bengazi reports would have had no personal effect on a Rosenstein. He was a Deputy, and deputies follow orders. But you know this. Good luck in your endeavors, its unfortunate the President has been advised by the swamp dwellers, the same folks trying to take him out. Its no wonder why their have been so many staff changes. He came into this truly alone without Government connections. Its amazing he has gotten as far as he has. We need more like you to fight the fight and bring out Government back to the people.

  23. Just saw your post and Facebook – it took my breath away, I have been following your case from day one! Bought your book, Stonewalled, as soon as it came out. I have to admit that I never thought we would see this day – the government was stonewalling you for a long time.
    Congratulations Sharyl. Truth prevailed, now you’ll finally get justice – they should all do time.

  24. Do not be deceived, God will not be mocked! What a man sows he will also reap. Mark God’s Word and stand on it!

  25. Your strength and courage in fighting this unlawful abuse by those who are supposed to represent the law is absolutely AWESOME! Likewise, the betrayal against the American people and culture perpetrated by these criminals is literally awesome in its grotesque ugliness, betrayal and disregard for law, ethics or any modicum of human decency. May you prevail against these hidden criminals!

  26. I said it on FB and I’ll say it here:

    I get sick to my stomach every time I hear the nonsense about how the “loyal hard working men and women of the FBI” who shouldn’t be tarnished by a few miscreants.
    Where are the whistle blowers? Where are these so-called “honest field agents”? I’m so glad you finally got one to stand up. But I have no doubt that for every one honest FBI agent there are at least 3 crooked bums that are spying on citizens each and every day and don’t even feel the slightest remorse about it.

    I’m sorry to say it, and I wouldn’t be surprised if my name is on one of their little watch lists, but the entire Intel community has taken all of this unprecedented power like a drug addict shoots heroine! They are addicted, they have seen the other side, they have so much power to look at anyone that they now know so much about all of us that they will never EVER give it back. We knew this back when the REAL whistleblowers tried to stand up. Nothing happened then and now it’s too late.

    Meanwhile, sue them until the cows come home. Put every lawyer on contingency retainer and don’t settle for one thin dime until you get an open settlement and full admission of guilt. Go Sharyl go!!

  27. Kathy/Kathryne Rushford

    Glad someone is reporting on this unconstitutional behavior by bad actors in our government. Do wonder why you didn’t cover US mail and the illegal activity.

  28. Here is Ryan White AKA @johnheretohelp on twitter. More
    Congratulations, you found the name I worked under. Pretty sure I mentioned that wasn’t my real name.? I am Ryan White in the suit. Did you think I was dumb enough to give you my real identity?
    You have just publicity done your best to doxx me and expose myself and my family. I don’t know if he is telling the truth about Rosenstein, but if true, Rosenstein is a monster. Thought this might help you Sharyl Maybe you should investigate his story. God speed.

  29. I’m building a voluntaries economic justice system. RemedyCoin.com

    It’ blends the power of a dishonored presentment of damages along with a conditional issuance of forgiveness in a financial way.

    Then we can take stock in each other’s issuance of forgivness to affirm the wrongdoing of these bad people. In the process we create a new form of money that’s not a form of debt.

  30. If government was looking to protect your life, liberty and property, they wouldn’t be the first ones looking to take it.

  31. I’m a former FBI employee who was sexually assaulted by a fellow colleague who is currently still an FBI agent. Everything was swept under the rug and covered up because he knew high profile players at headquarters. I am currently under surveillance and they have interfered with almost all of my attempts to report it outside the agency all the way to my medical treatments. Anyone who speaks out against the FBI becomes a target and is labeled a domestic terrorist. It is the worst case of abuse of the FISA and court system I have ever seen. Sexual assault victims are not terrorist! We want to be heard, we want justice and at the least we want to be treated with dignity and as human beings not criminals. I wish someone would do an investigation on the FBI retaliation tactics against employees who speak out about the horrible culture within.

  32. I don’t believe in conspiracy theories, goblins or Big Foot. Frankly, the first time I saw you on the O’Reilly factor, I was worried about your mental health. I thought you were imagining these things, but since then I’ve followed your excellent work, read your books, and have become a believer. Between your revelations and the numerous attempted hit jobs they’ve tried on President Trump, it’s pretty clear that there really is a swamp in Washington and it’s serving itself, not the American people. Most the press seems incapable for seeing this for themselves with a few notable exceptions like yourself, Bernie Goldberg, Brit Hume, etc.
    I apologize for ever doubting you and I pray you stay the course until justice is served.

  33. Lawsuits won’t stop the buggings, the break-ins, and the burglaries. Lawsuits won’t stop the secret police from committing crimes and engaging in criminal activities. Lawsuits won’t stop the economic warfare and industrial espionage by the secret police or the secret police fencing operation and redistribution of stolen property, private property, and intellectual property. Lawsuits won’t stop the arbitrary targeting of innocent American civilians by the secret police and the abuses of power and associated coverups by the Washington Regime and their collaborators in the courts, media, and legislature.

    It’s not a nation of laws. It’s a nation with a collection of secret police institutions and their associated secret police bureaucracies.

  34. It must have been another rogue agent of the ABC agency in the __________ field office

    Like the rogue agent of the IRS in the Cincinnati field office
    The rogue agent of the ATF in the Phoenix field office
    The rogue agent of Homeland Security who tried to hack into Michigan’s and Georgia’s SecState computers on election night, 2016…

  35. Congratulations on getting the information you need to prove your case. Why so many are not tuned into this case boggles my mind. The power afforded those who abuse our 5th Amendment is ASTOUNDING. Don’t people realize that if we allow warrantless hacking and intrusion upon seclusion, you will forfeit all other rights? When you cannot get a job or an apartment, when the police won’t protect you when your neighbors and friends are provided false information about you but refuse to tell you what they were told, when you are treated with hostility at the hospital because you are tracked by a government that – for whatever reason – finds what you know a threat to it, HOW – LET ME REPEAT – HOW can one not give a hoot about Sharyl Attkinson’s case? Yet, as she herself noted, there was a feeble response from donors and others.

    But I emphasize with the pastor too who above commented on this article. He is probably being surveilled simply for what he does – and for the hate of Christianity. Here is an example of government abuse – EVEN IF it is the government not doing it. Why? Because only the government has the power to make us safer by requiring phone manufacturers to make it more difficult for these hackers. I have written on this extensively – but my blog was taken down by police so I don’t have all the articles about it; but, basically, our cable companies, who have a contract with law enforcement on the state and federal levels, has what is called a “resolver” within cable boxes that when left open allows for easy hiijacking of cable accounts. The NYT’s published an article about this – to which I responded – asking that WE call our cable companies and tell them to “close it.” What? Why doesn’t law enforcement do that if they are not involved with ignoring the imbecilic amateur hackers who invade the privacy of their neighbors? The answer is because most of those who know how to do this kind of thing are beholden to government itself.

    Finally, I experienced almost identical harassment as Sharyl Attkinson, so I am providing here a link to an article that Twitter won’t share. And they won’t share it – not because it is exaggerated or false, but because it is true. Please read it, and when you do please try to get past the medical problem and pay attention to the relationship between all the parties involved. https://targetc663.wixsite.com/targetedpatient/single-post/2018/01/22/When-the-Government-Defames-You-To-Protect-Itself

  36. It will take more than Ron Johnson to lift this problem into the public square. I’d enlist Cruz, Lee, Paul and get them to push it hard. Given their stands on the subject, I’d think they would be more than happy to assist.

    Go get ’em, girl!

  37. You are rare in this age of reporting. A journalist who will take a story where it leads them without concern for a “narrative”.
    God speed Sharyl. I pray for your safety.

  38. Sharyl,–
    you need to move on from this
    the government and the tech industry are going to spy on you
    start by switching to Linux and learn to use PGP/GnuPG

    1. This has little to do with technology, this is about Deep State….tech spying is a different story, but I suspect you knew that before posting.

  39. Hi Sharyl, there are many watching your progress. You have a chance of being the first person to actually force Deep Staters into court.

    PLEASE continue fighting hard, we are behind you..

    HR

  40. Another trick to watch out for. Names of people you don’t know or never met being associated with you. If you have been a victim of a fed law enforcement agency, state police, etc., Look up your name on the internet and see if there are names of people associated with you that you never heard of, it could be another scam to smear or discredit you.

  41. Ms. Atkisson, I know this case is important to you and your family. I also know that one of the cooperators has ,given testimony of the facts corroborating the misdeeds of those in question. This very same witness has also revealed information to you and your attorneys regarding the murder of Seth Rich. The murder of Rich involves some of the same perpetrators of the crimes committed against you and yours. Why have you not written about the Rich murder? Why haven’t you pursued those perpetrators as well? The informant’s credibility has long been established in many other documented cases. I am sure a person with your contacts could pass this information onto someone in Gov’t who would be able to charge those involved with the Rich murder.

  42. The CIA, DOJ and FBI have lost all credibility thanks to scumbag Senior Officials. The corruption is so off the charts there’s no way to cure this cancer outside of defunding and dismantling these agencies. Their disgrace is so bad we can’t even watch movies depicting CIA FBI or other federal agents without wanting to puke. What a shame the few good people in these agencies have to go down with the ship. We need more fearless whistle-blower. May God punish these nefarious actors 4 the irreparable damage done. And may God surround this strong woman journalist with warrior angels and bring swift justice.

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