Parish
Intimidation Has Always Been Government Tool
RECEIVED Wed., Aug. 27, 2003
I was a federal investigator for 25 years and retired from civil service.
If the city of Austin had information that I really needed for an official investigation, I would get a federal warrant and go and get the information. One time, a bank refused to give me information that I needed for an investigation into theft and fraud. So, I got a warrant, 20 workers from a local service, and went and cleaned out the bank. I even took the pens on the desks, telephones, everything including pictures off the wall. We started loading up, and suddenly they wanted to cooperate to the maximum extent possible.
Same thing can happen with the PATRIOT Act. All it does is offer greater use of search warrants and investigative demands. Nothing else, nothing more. These people ["Naked City," Aug. 22, PATRIOT Act item] are misinformed.
If the city of Austin had information that I really needed for an official investigation, I would get a federal warrant and go and get the information. One time, a bank refused to give me information that I needed for an investigation into theft and fraud. So, I got a warrant, 20 workers from a local service, and went and cleaned out the bank. I even took the pens on the desks, telephones, everything including pictures off the wall. We started loading up, and suddenly they wanted to cooperate to the maximum extent possible.
Same thing can happen with the PATRIOT Act. All it does is offer greater use of search warrants and investigative demands. Nothing else, nothing more. These people ["Naked City," Aug. 22, PATRIOT Act item] are misinformed.
Bob Cowger
