Statement by the FBI Regarding the Office of Inspector General's Report, "A Review of the FBI's Actions in Connection With Allegations Raised by Contract Linguist Sibel Edmonds"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The FBI issued the following statement regarding the Office of the Inspector General's Report, "A Review of the FBI's Actions in Connection with Allegations Raised by Contract Linguist Sibel Edmonds":

"The FBI appreciates the efforts of the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) in this matter.  Among the areas addressed in the report, the OIG concluded that the FBI's Language Services Program required management improvements.  The FBI has placed its Language Services Program within the Directorate of Intelligence where language specialists and contract linguists are now a part of the FBI's intelligence career service.  The intelligence career service was recommended by the 9/11 Commission and created by Congress as part of the Intelligence Reform Bill.  The intelligence career service is built around competency models which establish standards for hiring, training and continuing certification.  Under the intelligence career service, language specialists and contract linguists are assigned to Field Intelligence Groups and managed by Assistant Special Agents in Charge.   Additional recommendations from the OIG's report will continue to be evaluated and addressed.

"The Inspector General's report also concluded that the FBI did not adequately investigate allegations Ms. Edmonds made regarding a co-worker.  After the OIG's initial classified report, the FBI conducted further investigation into Ms. Edmonds' allegations.  That investigation is continuing.

"The OIG also suggested that even though contractors are not legally protected as whistleblowers, the FBI should not discourage employees or contractors from raising good faith allegations of misconduct.  FBI Director Robert S. Mueller agrees with that suggestion.  In an   e-mail last summer to all FBI employees, Director Mueller reiterated his commitment to protecting from retaliation all employees, including contractors, detailees, task force members or other personnel who work with the FBI, and who raise good faith concerns."