◆ SpookStack

Exec. ADJav.__— Exec. ADAdm. Exec, AD-LES___ Asst. Dir Adm. Serva, Crim, inv, ___ Ident. Intel Laboratory ___ Legal Coun. Plan & Insp. Rec, Ment, __ Tech. Servs, Training Public As. Of. ___ Telephone Rm. —— Directors Sec February 14, 1980 Honorable William Webster, Director Federal Bureau of Investigation J. Edgar Hoover Building Washington, D. C. SIDE SOURCE Dear Director Webster!” on Li ZS Da Cratce ae aibscan Y A brief note of support for you and the members of the Bureau. The criticism of late directed to the FBI for its ABSCAM operation is not ‘proper. Further I feel that it does not properly represent the members ‘of the American public at large. i I am satisfied, based upon your statements, that the operation was { thought out carefuly and closely supervised. It was not, as some would jhave us to believe, the result of an over-zealous agent on a witch hunt \for crooked public officials. joperation, That type of conduct by any employee cannot be tolorated. 2 have suggested to Senator Howard Baker and others that he publicly support the Bureau. IndeeA the Congress has not sufficiently demonstrated its ability to keep its own house clean. Congressional censor and admonishment jsimply will no longer do. The Bureau ought to pursue such investigations "in the future to insure the integrity of all public officials. I hope ithe Justice Department will prosecute each violation to the full extent ‘of the law. Those who violate the public trust in such a manner must suffer the consequences and properly be punished for their ill deeds. You should know that I speak to you as a member of the law enforcement community but perhaps more important than that as a member of the state Mel Ds 4 tj government. As public officials we all must live up to the public’ YZ) expectation for integrity. G5 LUE < Si = —— 7 : i ifs bs. En Warmest Personal Regards, Wi We ue ah Uue™~ ~ 85 yu up the good work. £2 y