FBI abused power to get private records: report

By James Vicini

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The FBI abused its power by illegally or improperly obtaining telephone, financial and other secret records in investigations of terrorism or espionage suspects, the U.S. Justice Department's inspector general said on Friday.

A report by Inspector General Glenn Fine's office sharply criticized the FBI for how, without a court order, it demanded and received records such as customer information from telephone companies, Internet service providers, banks and credit card firms.

"We believe the improper or illegal uses we found involve serious misuses of national security letter authorities," Fine said in releasing the report.

National security letters allow the FBI to compel the release of private information without getting authority from a judge or grand jury. The FBI can get the records but not the content of communications, Justice Department officials said.

Democrats in Congress vowed to investigate the findings in the report, which came as they stepped up criticism of President George W. Bush's administration for weakening protections on civil liberties as part of its war on terrorism.

FBI Director Robert Mueller acknowledged at a news conference that the report found serious deficiencies.

"I am the person responsible, I am the person accountable and I am committed to ensuring that we correct these deficiencies and live up to these responsibilities," he said, noting the FBI is sworn to uphold privacy protections and civil liberties.

Attorney General Alberto Gonzales told a privacy rights group that he was upset when learned the FBI did not have sufficient controls, did not provide adequate training and failed to follow its own policies.