Big Dig scandal is high priority "public corruption" case - FBI chief

Fallen ceiling panels 10 July - Boston Herald pic

The FBI agent-in-charge in Boston Ken Kaiser says the bureau regards its investigation of the Massachusetts Turnpike's Big Dig project as a high priority "public corruption" investigation. Six to eight FBI agents are now on the case.

FBI interest was stirred by earlier events such as the flood and chronic leaks revealed last year in the I-93 tunnels but has intensified since this year's July 10 ceiling collapse in the I-90 segment that crushed a car, killed a passenger, and caused large portions of the project to be closed for testing and repairs.

The news of the "public corruption" case first surfaced in the Boston Herald, where Kaiser is quoted today.

An FBI spokeswoman in Boston told us the Herald report is correct.

The state of Massachusetts also has an investigation proceeding. The office of the state Attorney General Tom Reilly has said a grand jury is due to be empanelled 3 Oct in an effort to compel document production and witness testimony from some of those at the Big Dig who are refusing to cooperate.

The FBI spokeswoman told us they and the state attorneys office are regularly sharing information on their investigations and deciding together the best venue for any prosecutions. She said the indictment of six officers of Aggregate Industries in May in Federal Court was a result of earlier investigatory work. The charges are that the company supplied sub-standard concrete to the Big Dig project.

BACKGROUND

The FBI say on their website: "Public corruption is one of the FBI's top investigative priorities - behind only terrorism, espionage, and cyber crimes. Why? Because our democracy and national security depend on a healthy, efficient, and ethical government. Public corruption can impact everything from how well our borders are secured and our neighborhoods protected...to verdicts handed down in courts of law...to the quality of our roads and schools."

see http://news.bostonherald.com/localRegional/view.bg?articleid=157251&form...

TOLLROADSnews 2006-09-13