“Highest levels of government” being briefed about suspected Hezbollah spy
posted at 7:00 pm on November 14, 2007 by Allahpundit
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As InstaGlenn might say: well, yeah.
“This is a failure of three systems,” [Richard] Clarke said. “It’s a failure of the FBI background system, including polygraphs. It’s a failure of the CIA hiring system, including polygraphs. And it’s a failure of the FBI’s computer system security, because she was able to obtain information that she shouldn’t have had access to about Hezbollah, which she probably passed on to Hezbollah, a terrorist group.”
How did they fail? Well, according to WaPo, the FBI’s Automated Case System which Prouty illegally accessed is an antiquated piece of crap that’s nowhere close to being upgraded. As for the vaunted CIA hiring system:
An FBI official said Prouty passed a polygraph test and that agents interviewed friends and relatives in the United States and Lebanon before she was hired, but that she wasn’t subjected to the more rigorous screening adopted after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
The CIA relied mainly on the FBI checks, another government official said.
Mind you, she was a member of their Clandestine Service responsible for covert ops in the Middle East.
Follow that last link to the Detroit Free Press article and note the timeline. Prouty illegally accessed the FBI system twice: once in 2003, a year after her sister and brother-in-law attended a fundraiser led by Hezbollah officials in Lebanon that triggered the feds’ suspicions — and once in 2000. The goal of the 2000 intrusion was to check the feds’ files on three people: her brother-in-law, her sister, and herself. Why was she so eager to know what the feds knew about her fully two years before her brother-in-law caught their attention? Well, probably because she was a spy from the beginning and knew what her in-laws were up to. Indeed, although she hasn’t been charged yet with passing information to anyone, Richard Clarke hears that the FBI and CIA are pursuing that angle as we speak. Isikoff and Hosenball are hearing the same thing and helpfully fill in a few of the remaining blanks, such as when the FBI finally put two and two together about her and Hezbollah — 2005, two years after her second tapping of their computers — and how she ended up getting a security clearance in 1999 when she’d been here less than a decade. The answer? The Bureau’s thirst for Arabic speakers.
Debbie Schlussel has some more interesting new background (e.g., Prouty isn’t a Muslim). Here’s a bit of video from this afternoon’s Big Story, too. It doesn’t break any new ground but I always enjoy Doug Kennedy’s “constipated Shatner” voiceovers. Plus, the line about her raising more red flags than communist China deserves to be preserved.
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Polygraphs are the equivalent of modern day tea-leave readings. They suck. KGB used train their moles how to beat them during the Cold War days. They weren’t effective then, they aren’t effective now.
Still can’t figure out why the FBI and CIA have such a chub for the things.
John from OPFOR on November 14, 2007 at 7:05 PM
Well, I for one would think that the rat bastiches at the CIA would welcome anyone that can stick it to he USA, they have a contingent that is pure and Plamely anti-AMerican.
bbz123 on November 14, 2007 at 7:13 PM
Not exactly the first time that the CIA missed what was right under its nose.
baldilocks on November 14, 2007 at 7:15 PM
You would think that the CIA of all people would have a better screening process.
SoulGlo on November 14, 2007 at 7:15 PM
Don’t know how, but there has to be a Hillary connection here somewhere.
stonemeister on November 14, 2007 at 7:19 PM
Is it bad that this is so disturbing that its almost comical?
Zetterson on November 14, 2007 at 7:26 PM
You are Plamely correct sir……..
doriangrey on November 14, 2007 at 7:26 PM
If she got thru the process twice, think of who is there from better trained spy agencies from around the world.
Ripclawe on November 14, 2007 at 7:28 PM
Lovely thought. Thanks Mr Ripclawe.
Zetterson on November 14, 2007 at 7:29 PM
Considered in the context of CIA patriots like Valerie Plame, it more seems like business as usual. If Valerie Plame is a patriot then the CIA’s mission is obviously the overthrow of the United States of America. Thus this can clearly be seen as consistent with that goal.
doriangrey on November 14, 2007 at 7:30 PM
Read Legacy of Ashes: A History of the CIA. If even half the stuff in it is true, this crap is par for the course for the Agency.
baldilocks on November 14, 2007 at 7:38 PM
You sir, are worse than Hitler!
TBinSTL on November 14, 2007 at 7:40 PM
Sorry, forgot the /sarc tag.
Now that we have preview, it would be nice if we could edit too…..
Yeah, gotta dream.
TBinSTL on November 14, 2007 at 7:41 PM
Why is it, at a time of war,that the major news sources seem to think it’s okay,to put stories about future attacks,
operation’s still on going,or the name’s of spies and in
this case a Hezbollah–accused spy, as front page news.
Another story a while back,informed the Iranian’s they had spy’s in their country,so again while were at war,this
information should be through the channels,or behind the scenes—why is John Q public getting this information
from major news sources,if this was World War Two somebody
would of got the firing squad!
canopfor on November 14, 2007 at 7:42 PM
She came here illegally, bought and bribed her way to legality, was hired by the FBI and then started raping the computer system all before Bush was president…who was president in 1999 when she was hired and did her first computer hack?
On that note, are the intelligence agencies going back and looking at all unauthorized information access? I hope so.
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 7:44 PM
Well, you can’t say “unbelievable!,” because it’s believable. So who is Prouty going to testify against that’s worth such a sweet plea deal? Heh, I’d certainly trust her testimony. (Cough, cough).
Nichevo on November 14, 2007 at 7:47 PM
Yeah,gotta dream.
TBinSTL on November 14,2007 at 7:41PM.
TBinSTL:and I suppose you want a tall blonde to type
it up as well.HAhaha.
canopfor on November 14, 2007 at 7:50 PM
Question: Shouldn’t they, the feds, have been briefed before this embarrassment, or was it Bush’s drive to be compassionate to illegals that caused this?
madmonkphotog on November 14, 2007 at 7:53 PM
I’d really like to believe that’s the only reason, but I fear there is more to it. It is almost as if the government wants to prove how multiculti/kumbaya they are.
To wit: I took a job with the government a couple of months ago. I was THE ONLY CITIZEN in my group of four who hired in together. In the last three weeks, six more people have been hired and NONE are US citizens. All are in administrative and clerical positions and require a command of the English language that, aside from myself, NOT A SINGLE ONE of these new hires have.
Of the total ten recent hires: 1 US citizen (me,) 2 Mexican nationals, 3 Pakistanis, 2 Iranians, 1 Indian, and 1 Egyptian.
You tell me.
IrishEi on November 14, 2007 at 7:54 PM
Well, maybe this will add a little oomph to the immigration issue. One can hope, anyway.
Hillary’s flip-flopping is looking sweeter by the hour.
Splashman on November 14, 2007 at 7:58 PM
Read this!
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 8:02 PM
as
points out, look at her hire date, and the date she received her security clearance.
We are still attempting to repair the damage done to this country by the Clintons. It will take decades.
Frankly, I don’t believe this damage was accidental.
rockhauler on November 14, 2007 at 8:06 PM
Leftist moonbats whining about her civil rights in…
5….4….3….2….
CurtZHP on November 14, 2007 at 8:08 PM
Let’s just make an example of her, and kill her.
JiangxiDad on November 14, 2007 at 8:11 PM
Thanks for the excellent link Topsecret.
We are so doomed
IrishEi on November 14, 2007 at 8:12 PM
Now these are the very same people our govenment wanted us to trust to verify the background of millions of illegal aliens ? Sounds more like blanket amnesty to me.
SIJ6141 on November 14, 2007 at 8:16 PM
Aren’t we though? Priorities.
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 8:20 PM
Wanna really laugh? As a condition of my employment, I had to cancel my membership in the NYPD Emerald Society and hand in my PBA cards…to prevent any possible “impropriety.” Well, at least we know they have a handle on all those terrorist bagpipers.
IrishEi on November 14, 2007 at 8:29 PM
Another intelligence failure credited to Komrade Klinton’s watch.
John is correct. We have training to defeat the test as well. With training, discipline and an average technician administering the test she could beat the test.
She, being born a Druze who converted to Islam, will probably not be welcomed back by Walid Jumblatt (leader of the Druze in Lebanon) up in Baalbeck or the Druzes of Syria. Odds are she’ll end up in Iran once she gets out of the slammer.
Score one for the evil doers.
Zorro on November 14, 2007 at 8:34 PM
You are assuming her access was unauthorized. If she had an account to use the system then her use of the system was authorized. She **DID** misuse her authority however.
Pilgrim on November 14, 2007 at 8:49 PM
You can edit. Just edit, then click preview again….
erik on November 14, 2007 at 8:50 PM
This should be no shock to anyone. Hell, we let them walk into the USA right over our borders. We give them sanctuary in many cities. Need I go on ?
Wade on November 14, 2007 at 8:50 PM
After you post, not so much….
erik on November 14, 2007 at 8:51 PM
Thanks Pilgrim.
Here is more:
LINK
Not sure why she’d be assigned to “investigate crimes against US citizens overseas.” if she was ‘talent spotted” and “recruited” to spy on the Arab-American population.
There is one case she was involved in on the net – a killing in Africa.
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 9:00 PM
Also, this does seem pretty lame and Plamish
She was a known FBI agent, where copies of briefings she participated identifying her by name as an FBI agent are available on the net and she then becomes an undercover CIA agent?
Wha?
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 9:05 PM
Here is the briefing
http://www.law.com/pdf/dc/rwandaconfessions.pdf
It’s a PDF – Direct link
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 9:09 PM
Sibil Edmonds dovetails this link here.
heroyalwhyness on November 14, 2007 at 9:11 PM
In case you don’t want to dig – here is one reference of many:
b. 01/09/2002 Rwandan officials inform US officials that a person had admitted killingsomeone at Bwindi…
01/15/2002 US Embassy in Rwanda informs the US Secretary of State that an ALIRldier has confessed to killing an American citizen at Bwindi via a Confidential Telegram.
May 31, 2002. Interviewed by the F.B.I. at Kacyiru Headquarters Kigali. Defendant wasterviewed by Special Agents Jennifer Snell and Nada Nadin past occasions he had not been truthful. Nyaminani agreesansported to a medical facility via Rwandan police vehicle
Topsecretk9 on November 14, 2007 at 9:12 PM
I second that emotion! And let’s skip the ‘humane’ execution BS too.
Teddy on November 14, 2007 at 9:13 PM
I knew there was something cocked up about the CIA’s hiring process. I mean, why the hell would they pass me up?
Mark V. on November 14, 2007 at 9:15 PM
I’m beginning to think if anyone actually takes the time to do a thorough search over at the FBI and CIA, they’ll find Bin Laden in a broom closet talking on a sat phone.
These incompetent do-nothing bureaucrats are going to get us all killed.
fogw on November 14, 2007 at 9:17 PM
i still say WTF 6-12 months ?
maybe 6-12 months of being locked in a room with the veiw on 24/7 anything less would retarded.
Mojack420 on November 14, 2007 at 9:21 PM
I demand to know which side we’re on. “Money trumps national security” Bush first tries to sell our ports to Islam, won’t secure our borders because he loves criminal aliens and now his FBI and CIA can’t even vet an employee properly. God knows that Gore, Kerry and the progressive socialists would have done worse but honestly could it have been much worse?
Buzzy on November 14, 2007 at 9:28 PM
6-12 months?
Not much longer than Paris Hilton got…although admittedly Prouty has better dress sense.
uptight on November 14, 2007 at 9:47 PM
It is time to raise the CIA to the ground, and start over from scratch. It is a completely useless organization.
Of course this is the Left’s fault. For decades they have produced movies that endow the CIA with supernatural capabilities.
With generations believing it then joining it – what they discovered is an aimless bureaucracy.
I say start from scratch with Delta and Seals retirees and amputees. Brains and guts – heroes.
Agrippa2k on November 14, 2007 at 10:03 PM
WOW. Learning from Hot Air posters how the CIA operates – like the fact that they don’t like to hire Americans but seem partial to hostile countries, ban bagpipers, and try to recruit Osama Obama using some lingo that sounds straight out of Pinkoland is one of the scariest things I’ve read yet.
For what it’s worth, Richard Clarke is advising Barack on foreign policy. Bin Laden determined to strike the U.S., dontcha know.
Buy Danish on November 14, 2007 at 10:22 PM
I agree, Agrippa. The libs neutered CIA and the FBI. It makes me very sad to see how poorly they are performing.
dogsoldier on November 14, 2007 at 10:29 PM
How? We starting relying more on SIGINT during the Clinton years, and HUMINT went the way of the dinosaur. But that was company policy, so to speak. I don’t think “libs” had much to do with it.
Conservative as I am on defense issues, I think the current administration did more harm to the intel world than the Clinton admin. Homeland Security and the DNI both sharply increased the already clunky intelligence bureaucracy… which is cancer to running effective ops and analysis.
Most of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act was necessary, not debating that. Just think we needed a slight course adjustment as opposed to a 180 degree turnaround.
John from OPFOR on November 14, 2007 at 11:16 PM
“This has got a lot of people in the intelligence industry completely freaked out that she’s only getting 6 to 12 months. I spoke with the justice department today they say because she’s going to cooperate and because she will be a key witness this is what they’ve arranged.”
A key witness for what? The White Wash?
danking70 on November 15, 2007 at 12:19 AM
Nada Nadim is Nina spelled sideways.
- The Cat
MirCat on November 15, 2007 at 1:44 AM
The mole was right there under their nose.
I mean, her nose.
Under and slightly to the left.
saint kansas on November 15, 2007 at 5:10 AM
Clintoon cut their budgets and pushed through that nonsense from Torricelli, prohibiting them from working with “bad guys” and cut their man power. Further, Clinton appointed many of his lib lackeys to all three agencies.
To Bush’s discredit, he left the liberals in place and did NOTHING to rebuild these agencies correctly, that is, with a focus on protecting America, not the democratic party.
Much has been written on Clinton’s dismantling of our intelligence services and military.
dogsoldier on November 15, 2007 at 6:58 AM
AP:
One correction. It’s their thirst for Arabic speakers of the wrong kind. We can’t forget how they (the FBI) turned down my friends at the Sephardic Jewish Community Center of Brooklyn who speak Arabic fluently. One of them told me an Egyptian Muslim agent at the NYC FBI office turned down all of the Jewish applicants. The CIA, I doubt, is any different. And if anecdotal evidence on this is anything–and I think it is–I have plenty of patriotic Arab Maronite Christians, all of them with law enforcement experience, who’ve been turned down by ICE, the FBI, the CIA, etc., all in favor of Muslim Arabic speakers who are radicals.
DS
Debbie Schlussel on November 15, 2007 at 9:29 AM
Also, there is a lot that’s incorrect with the Isikoff and Hosenball Newsweek piece. I’m intimately familiar with this case, far more than them (which is why Isikoff contacted me for info), and the fact is, they knew about this mole far earlier than the 2005 date that they (I&H @ Newsweek) claim. They’ve known since at least 2003. And also, there is in fact evidence she passed on info to a Hezbollah operative–her brother in law (and her sister) . . . and, of course, herself. I have a piece coming out about this in a major newspaper, tomorrow, with more info, about how this story is actually not about justice, but about press releases for the embattled Detroit U.S. Attorney Stephen Murphy, who wants his judicial nomination confirmed. He allowed the main suspect of this case to flee the country and still stay open for biz here in the U.S. after defrauding the IRS. That never happens, unless our government wants it to.
Debbie Schlussel on November 15, 2007 at 9:35 AM
The DHS bureaucracy was forced on Bush by congress who was using public pressure to ‘do something’ following 9/11. Of course congress’s answer to any problem is more bureaucracy.
As supporting evidence of this conclusion I direct your attention to airline baggage screeners becoming federal UNION employees.
rockhauler on November 15, 2007 at 9:43 AM
I was listening to the video while reading and burst out laughing when I read:
genius Allah, you are a genius!
clghitis on November 15, 2007 at 1:02 PM
I am personally aware of where candidates and current workers in a military intelligence setting failed poly’s but were allowed to continue in the positions because “we know that they have friends and relatives in enenmy camps/homelands/etc but….they are doing a good job for us and they say ‘ they are loyal’.” This was in Vietnam where north and south both had relatives extent. So, my translator of Secret documents/my secretary may or may not have had relatives she/he was related to?????God the polygraph system sucks.
Bob67 on February 12, 2008 at 11:21 AM
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