Source: Berger probe<br>before grand jury

SECURITY BREECHES
Source: Berger probe
before grand jury
Ex-Clinton aide admits taking classified docs from archives

Posted: January 11, 2005
11:55 am Eastern

© 2009 WorldNetDaily.com

The criminal investigation of former National Security Adviser Sandy Berger – accused of pocketing highly classified terrorism documents prior to the Sept. 11 Commission hearings – is now before a federal grand jury, according to an anonymous source with knowledge of the probe.

Sandy Berger

"[Berger] has been interviewed several times by federal agents – FBI and prosecutors," the source told the New York Post.

Department of Justice spokesman Mark Corallo did not return WorldNetDaily's call requesting comment.

In October, a Justice spokesman told WND that a criminal investigation was ongoing, but he would not provide details about its nature or timing.

Berger, who had served as national security adviser to John Kerry's campaign, was reported in July to be under investigation for removing the documents and handwritten notes from a secure reading room at the National Archives.

Berger was there at the request of former President Clinton, who asked him to review and select the administration documents that would be turned over to the 9-11 commission.

The investigation forced Berger to step down from Kerry's campaign.

FBI agents searched his home and office after he voluntarily returned some documents. But some drafts of a sensitive after-action report on the Clinton administration's handling of al-Qaida terror threats during the December 1999 millennium celebration were found to be missing.

Berger and his lawyer admit he knowingly removed handwritten notes he made while reading classified anti-terror documents by sticking them in his clothing. They said he also inadvertently took copies of actual classified documents in a leather portfolio.

Berger also has acknowledged that he destroyed some documents, but he insists it was by accident.

"I deeply regret the sloppiness involved, but I had no intention of withholding documents from the commission, and to the contrary, to my knowledge, every document requested by the commission from the Clinton administration was produced," Berger said in a statement last summer.

The Post, citing a source close to the former Clinton aide, said Berger has not received a letter formally notifying him that he is the target of a criminal probe.

Berger has not testified under oath to the grand jury, the same source told the New York paper.

The after-action review of the millennium celebration conflicts with Berger's testimony before the 9-11 commission, prompting some Republicans to charge Berger stole the documents to protect the Clinton administration.

Berger told the 9-11 panel the administration's efforts "thwarted" terrorist attacks, but the documents indicate many missed opportunities and an apparent element of luck.

The investigation began last spring when archives staffers ran a sting operation after they reported seeing Berger sneak out classified documents in his pants and socks.