U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation
For Immediate Release
February 12, 2004
Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691


STATEMENT OF FBI ASSISTANT DIRECTOR CASSANDRA M. CHANDLER

WASHINGTON, D.C. –– "The CBS News report broadcast on February 11, 2004, contained numerous inaccuracies with respect to both the investigation into the death of Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan Luna and an ongoing internal inquiry in the Baltimore FBI office.

"The two-month investigation by the FBI and other law enforcement agencies into Mr. Luna's death has been intensive, thorough, and far reaching. In this case, as in virtually every case of suspicious or non-accidental death, an extensive victimology is conducted to determine how and why someone died. That process attempts to look at every aspect of a victim's life –– including the death scene –– for insights into the circumstances leading to the death. Many investigative avenues have been and are being explored, including more than 600 leads. As an example, numerous government employees, including FBI Agents and Assistant United States Attorneys who worked with and had contact with Mr. Luna, have been interviewed in an effort to determine if any could provide information which might be helpful to the investigation. The focus never has been on any one person in the government and none was ever considered a suspect. In fact, there are no suspects at this time.

"As to the internal inquiry in the Baltimore office, any time an FBI employee makes a serious allegation of wrongdoing against a manager or fellow employee, the matter is investigated by independent investigators. That process is under way at this time and no determination of wrongdoing or conclusion has been reached. It has been determined, however, that the conduct under review was process oriented. At no time was acting Special Agent in Charge Jennifer Smith Love the focus of the internal inquiry.

"Inaccurate news stories, often based on incomplete, outdated, or simply wrong information, are hurtful to victim family members and others affected by the death and do not advance the education of the public. The FBI is confident that when this case is solved the public will have the benefit of accurate information based on an exhaustive, thorough, and complete investigation."

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