- 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.
Too bad the surveillance tools identified are the same tools compromised by Snowden, which are now available around the world.
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
Same here been cheering you on since Benghazi
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!
Persistence Wins. Great News.
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.
I’m sorry but John Durham is nothing more than Huber 2.0. Bill Barr is a complete fraud!
Ryan take your head out of the sand . Libs don’t care about truth . The truth shall always be known and the scum behind the corruption eventually prosecuted…
Ryan Campbell / Deep Stater:
You posting BS on Sharyl’s website is a waste of time.
John Durham is an American Hero. (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2019/05/14/barrs-pick-investigate-mueller-probes-origins-has-history-penetrating-fbi/)
And Bill Barr is too. DRAIN THE SWAMP! TRUMP 2020!
What have they done?
This comment didn’t age well…
This is amazing. Your tenacity and persistence have paid off. You are helping to save America. Thank You!
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..
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Best of luck going forward. Have followed you on this since you reported it. This is great news!
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.
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.
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.
I agree. It would be great if the first prosecution of the corrupt DOJ/FBI personnel started with Sharyl Attkisson’s investigation and this court case.
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.
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
But they do do that? Go for the jugular. Awful intrusion of your rights but Rothenstein swears they never spied on Trump?
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.
I think now people can see that the honor of Rothenstein’s words are in dispute,.
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!
Go for it, Sharyl! The festering, putrid wound in DC needs cauterizing.
This action is the crack in the dam! I have been following your posts for about 2 years, and always been impressed and proud of your work. Well done.
Another win against the deep state. I have great admiration for you, Ms. Attkisson.
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
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
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!
AMEN!
THERE SHOULD BE A LONG LINE OF HONEST VOICES CRYING TO BE HEARD…WHERE ARE THEY???