04:12 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 24, 2006

Compiled by kgw.com Staff

Congressman Earl Blumenauer (D - Ore) issued the following statement Wednesday hours after learning that an agent in the FBI field office in Portland attempted to recruit a potential informant in City Hall:

The report that the FBI would consider trolling for information in Portland City Hall is stunning. At a time when there is evidence that the FBI has been overwhelmed with information and facing serious problems internally, it's disconcerting that the agency maybe casting about for informants in this manner.

While we need the FBI to fight terrorism and protect the rights of American citizens, we now learn that the FBI is maybe looking over shoulders of innocent people, when there is no accusation of wrongdoing. We need our authorities, starting with the FBI, to concentrate on the basics when it comes to the necessary functions of protecting Americans, from terrorism to crime to border security.

One can only hope these reports are wrong. I am hopeful that we will be able to get some straight answers from the FBI as soon as possible.