OOPS! FBI's $170 Million Software Won't Work

[Nickdfresh]

FBI may scrap $170 million project
Software was supposed to speed sharing of information
Thursday, January 13, 2005 Posted: 5:48 PM EST (2248 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- A $170 million computer overhaul intended to give FBI agents and analysts an instantaneous and paperless way to manage criminal and terrorism cases is headed back to the drawing board, probably at a much steeper cost to taxpayers.

The FBI is hoping to salvage some parts of the project, known as Virtual Case File.

But officials acknowledged Thursday that it is possible the entire system, designed by Science Applications International Corp. of San Diego, is so inadequate and outdated that a new one will have to be built from scratch.

Full Story (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/13/fbi.software.ap/index.html)

[Viking]

I can tell you from a vast well of experience that when the gummint specs out something to the lowest bidder, it will inevitably take a shit on them. Heeheehahahahahaha...... :D

[Viking]

Where do you think the phrase, 'close enough for government work' came from? BWAH-HAHAHAHAHAHA

:D :D :D

[Jesus Christ]

Verily, they should hath used the latest OS, Jesux (http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Node/4081/)

http://www.geocities.com/ResearchTriangle/Node/4081/JHSYX.gif

[Nickdfresh]

Jeez! How ever could September 11th ever been allowed to happen!?

[Nickdfresh]

More FBI fallout:

CNN (http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/14/fbi.allegations/index.html)
Report: FBI failed to probe internal spying charge
Fired contractor's allegations had 'some basis in fact'
From Terry Frieden
CNN
Friday, January 14, 2005 Posted: 5:53 PM EST (2253 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The FBI failed to investigate properly charges of espionage made by a contractor who was fired "in large part" because of allegations she made against a co-worker, the Justice Inspector General concluded in a declassified report released Friday.

Linguist Sibel Edmonds claimed she was fired after six months because the FBI was protecting another translator and hiring incompetent linguists because they had friends or family at the agency.

"Many of Edmonds' core allegations relating to the co-worker had some basis in fact and were supported by either documentary evidence or witnesses," the report said. "Our investigation concluded that the FBI did not, and still has not adequately investigated these allegations," Glenn Fine's report said.

FBI Director Robert Mueller said an FBI probe of Edmonds' complaints begun in July -- when the original, classified report was published -- is still open. Mueller insisted he is committed "to protecting from retaliation all employees including contractors ... who raise good faith concerns."

He also said the FBI had established new standards for hiring, training and certifying language specialists and contract linguists.

"The report substantiated the most serious of Sibel's allegations and demonstrates that the FBI owes Sibel an apology and compensation for its unlawful firing of her rather than hiding behind its false cloak of national security," Edmonds' lawyer, Mark Zaid, told The Associated Press.

Edmonds has claimed publicly that she was fired because she told officials that a co-worker had a relative working at a foreign embassy. Edmonds suspected the fellow linguist had disclosed FBI surveillance operations and blocked or delayed certain translations.

The FBI said her claims were unsubstantiated, but the report said there was reason to investigate Edmonds' accusation.

"Our review also found that many -- although not all -- of Edmonds' allegations about the co-worker had some basis in fact. This evidence does not prove, and we are not suggesting, that there is sufficient evidence to conclude that espionage or any improper disclosures of FBI information occurred," the 37-page version of the report said.

The report also faulted the FBI for its handling of her dismissal.

"We concluded that Edmonds' allegations were at least a contributing factor in why the FBI terminated her services. We also concluded that by terminating Edmonds' services in large part because of her allegations of misconduct, the FBI's actions also could have the effect of discouraging others from raising concerns," the report said.

Edmonds was fired for using a home computer to write a memo containing classified information in which she outlined her complaints, the report noted, but she had first obtained permission from a supervisor to work on the letter at home.

The report included a June 30, 2004, letter to Fine from FBI Assistant Director Steven McCraw, who said Edmonds was fired with just cause.

"I disagree with with your conclusion that Edmonds, a private contractor was retaliated against for her making allegations of misconduct or mismanagement," said McCraw. "Edmonds was terminated because she committed security violations and was a disruption to her office."

Edmonds cannot qualify for whistleblower status because she was a contractor rather than an employee, the reported concluded.

Edmonds, a native of Iran, is fluent in Farsi and Turkish languages. She worked for the FBI from September 2001 to March 2002.

In July, her lawsuit against the FBI was dismissed in federal court because the judge agreed with the government that the evidence needed to prove the case was classified. Edmonds has appealed the decision.

She testified in closed session to the 9/11 commission and has claimed publicly the FBI had information before the terrorist strikes that could have helped prevent the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania.


Copyright 2005 CNN. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Associated Press contributed to this report.