Dwalin, Here is a one, these FBI guys are not above reproach and have you ever noticed that lots of them over the years have been Italian?
Fbi Agent Took Bribes Of $850,000
March 15, 1985|By Kathleen Pellegrino, Staff Writer
A former FBI agent admitted Thursday that he accepted $850,000 worth of bribes and payoffs and took part in a cocaine-smuggling operation while working undercover for the federal government.
Dan A. Mitrione Jr., 38, of Cooper City, who resigned in June 1983 after 10 years with the FBI, pleaded guilty to two drug-smuggling charges and one bribery charge and could face up to 45 years in prison when he is sentenced.
U.S. Attorney Stanley Marcus asked that a sentencing date not be scheduled because the case is still under investigation. Marcus would make no other comment.
The case against Mitrione came to a quick conclusion Thursday, when he surrendered and at the same time agreed to plead guilty as part of an agreement with the U.S. Attorney`s Office.
Mitrione, who lives in Cooper City with his wife, immediately was taken into custody and made no comment about his decision to plead guilty.
As part of the plea-bargain agreement, he must forfeit assets that resulted from his illegal activity and will face no other criminal charges as a result of the investigation.
``He was responsible for the things he admitted, and that is why he chose to do what he did,`` said Daniel Forman, Mitrione`s attorney.
During a hearing before U.S. District Judge Eugene Spellman on Thursday, Mitrione stood with his head bowed even when answering questions from the judge about whether the plea agreement was the way he wanted to conclude the case.
``Yes sir, it is,`` Mitrione said.
Mitrione`s problems grew out of his involvement in an FBI undercover investigation dubbed ``Operation Airlift.``
Operation Airlift was designed to penetrate drug-smuggling rings, and Mitrione and an unidentified ``cooperating individual,`` or informer, approached traffickers to offer services to them.
According to the documents filed by Marcus, Mitrione began participating in the informer`s drug deals without permission and without notifying his superiors.
On one occasion, Mitrione drove a truck loaded with cocaine between Kokomo, Ind., and Miami to be distributed.
Marcus said Mitrione`s associates decided ``if he were stopped, he could show he was an FBI man, and wouldn`t be bothered.``
Mitrione received money, real estate and presents such as a Rolex watch, totaling $850,000, the court documents say.
Mitrione helped distribute 92.2 pounds of cocaine from a shipment of 517 pounds, according to court documents.
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1985-03-15/news/8501100267_1_mitrione-operation-airlift-fbi
