Weekend Economists Merry Little Christmas December 23-26, 2011

[Demeter]

42. CIA's watchdog: No problem with NYPD partnership

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/story/2011-12-23/cia-nypd-partnership/52198856/1

The CIA said Friday its internal watchdog found nothing wrong with the spy agency's close partnership with the New York Police Department. An internal CIA investigation found nothing improper with the agency's partnership with police in New York City. The agency's inspector general concluded that no laws were broken and there was "no evidence that any part of the agency's support to the NYPD constituted 'domestic spying'," CIA spokesman Preston Golson said.

The inspector general decided to do a preliminary investigation after a series of stories by The Associated Press revealed how after the 9/11 attacks the CIA helped the NYPD build domestic intelligence programs that were used to spy on Muslims. A CIA officer also directed intelligence collection and reviewed reports, according to former NYPD officials involved. The revelations troubled some members of Congress and even prompted the director of national intelligence, James Clapper, to remark that it did not look good for the CIA to be involved in any city police department. Thirty-four lawmakers have asked for the Justice Department to investigate but so far that request has gone nowhere.

New York Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly has maintained the NYPD's relationship with the CIA was proper. Under an executive order, the CIA is allowed to assist local law enforcement. "Operating under this legal basis, the CIA has advised the police department on key aspects of intelligence gathering and analysis that have greatly benefited our counterterrorism mission and protected lives in New York City," Kelly said earlier this year.

David Buckley, the CIA's inspector general, completed his review in late October. It's not clear if his report opens the door for other municipal police departments nationwide to work closely with the CIA in the war on terror....AND THERE'S STILL MORE--AND THIS IS USA TODAY!